Description
We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.
The starting salary for this permanent, part-time position is £33,791.20 per annum based on a 28.80 hour working week, pro-rata to £42,239 per annum.
We have an exciting new opportunity for a part-time Supervising Social Worker to join our fantastic Supported Lodgings Team, part of Surrey's Fostering Service, primarily based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate. The role will involve travel across the county (and further afield).
Our Offer to You
1. 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
2. Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
3. A generous local government salary related pension
4. Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
5. Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
6. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
7. Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
8. Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
9. A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About the Role
The Supported Lodgings Team sits in the Fostering service within Surrey Children's Services and comprises of seven team members. We assess and supervise Supported Lodgings Carers, Staying Put Carers and private fostering arrangements.
Our aim is to ensure that young people aged 16-25 are supported in family style semi-independent accommodation to help them prepare for independent living. This ensures that they are able to develop the skills and confidence they need, alongside being able to make use of the resources available to Surrey residents.
In this role you will become a vital part of our creative and compassionate Fostering service. We are dedicated to supporting Surrey's most vulnerable children and young people, working with theories of trauma, attachment and loss, alongside restorative practices. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child in our care, ensuring no one is left behind.
This is a challenging but highly rewarding role, as every day you will see the impact your work has on the lives of the young people we support. The work is varied, and no two days will be the same, so you'll need to be adaptable and enjoy a challenge!
Working closely with the team, and directly with our young people, you'll be involved in the following:
10. Recruiting and Assessing Supported Lodgings carers, and their families, to provide care for Surrey's Looked After Children aged 16 -21 years
11. Presenting Supported Lodgings Carer Assessments to Surrey's Foster Panel
12. Completing Private Fostering assessments for children who are not looked after and live with someone who is not a close relative through private arrangements, such as international students
13. Supervising, supporting and completing annual reviews for Supported Lodgings carers, Staying Put carers and Private Fostering arrangements in line with statutory time scales
14. Completing referral interviews for young people who need a Supported Lodgings placement
15. Working alongside Social Workers and other agencies to ensure children's care plans are met
As an employer, Surrey offers a comprehensive training package with a focus on career progression and developing skills and knowledge to benefit colleagues and residents alike.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with :
16. Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England
17. Experience of working with children and young people
18. Comprehensive knowledge of legislation relating to Looked After Children and Care Proceedings
19. Ability to work directly with the wider public, foster carers and young people, and experience of establishing and nurturing multi-agency relationships
20. Ability to produce clear evidence-based assessments
21. Flexibility to be able to work evenings and occasional weekends, as the role includes attending events and home visits outside office hours
22. Good IT and communication skills
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and social workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and to get an insight into working at Surrey.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 25.02.2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Contact Us
We look forward to receiving your application. Please click on the apply online button below to submit.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here:
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Files to download