* Category: Qualified Social Work - Adult's
* Contract type: Permanent
* Working hours: 36 hours per week
* Posted on: 3 September 2025
* Location: Ashford Centre, Stanwell Road, Ashford, TW15 3DU
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.
This permanent, full-time role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. Part-time applications will also be considered.
We are excited to be hiring a Senior Social Worker to join our fantastic Spelthorne Locality team based at the Ashford Centre in Ashford, Surrey. The team offer hybrid working with the expectation of 2-3 days in the office. Please note during your initial induction period you will be required in the office for five days per week to ensure a smooth transition into your new role and team.
"I came into Spelthorne Locality as an experienced leader and practitioner, with a lot to both share as well as learn. The locality team has provided the right framework for me to expand my experience. As an Assistant Team manager, my task has been to nurture and develop the culture and practice within the team, the success of which has only been possible because of the support I have received from my leadership, who mentor and support me, as well as the support I have received from the rest of the team, whose culture has been that of a learning organisation with an unwavering commitment to the well-being of each other as well as that of the residents they support in Spelthorne. Because of this, my commitment to the team is just as unwavering for the foreseeable future." - Richard Otim, Assistant Team Manager
Rewards and Benefits
* 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays)
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
* Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
* Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
* A generous local government salary related pension
* Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
* 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
We are a professional team made up of Social Care and Occupational Therapy Assistants, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Business support colleagues. We support adult residents with physical disabilities and older persons. This role involves working in the surrounding areas of Staines, Ashford, Sunbury, Shepperton and Laleham.
We aim to promote people's independence and wellbeing, through personalised care and support that focuses on their strengths, the outcomes they want to achieve and enables choice and control.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will have experience in assessing social care needs and providing direct social work intervention to some of the most challenging and complex service users and their carers. You will provide effective support to individuals using a strengths-based approach to enable independent living and promote more choice and control.
Within the role, you may work with any combination, or all, of the following care groups: older people, people with physical, sensory, cognitive impairments, people with a learning disability and people with mental health problems. As a Senior Social Worker you will supervise and support staff, working alongside the Team Manager to improve processes and shape the team.
You will be joining a supportive team with excellent training and development opportunities. This is a great opportunity to work in a Team that makes a difference to people's lives.
Shortlisting Criteria
* To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
* Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work England. Successful completion of an Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme if qualified as a social worker after June 2012
* Substantial post-qualification professional experience as a Social Worker
* An applied knowledge of The Care Act and The Mental Capacity Act and experience of undertaking safeguarding enquiries
* Experience of working in complex situations using professional judgement and a range of interventions
* Experience of professional reflective supervision, guidance and advice to less experienced Social Workers, including those completing ASYE and social work students
* Commitment to your own professional development
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality based social care 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.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 21st September with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
* The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
* The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
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