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 role has a starting salary of £42,239 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
This is a 12 month secondment or fixed term contract to cover maternity leave within the team.
We have a great opportunity for a full time Supervising Social Worker specialising in the recruitment and assessment of foster carers, to join our fantastic Fostering Team based in Reigate and Woking. When not working with our residents in the community, we support an agile approach with a combination of home and office working. We are keen to ensure the balance of providing flexibility but ensuring you feel connected to your team and the service.
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
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.
As a Supervising Social Worker, you will play a crucial role in assessing, supervising and supporting foster carers who provide love and support to children and young people in Surrey.
You are able to find out more about Fostering in Surrey via our dedicated Fostering pages: .
Your key responsibilities as a Supervising Social Worker will include:
10. Completing initial visits and Form F assessments
11. Delivering training
12. Organising and attending recruitment events
13. Carrying out general tasks within the wider fostering team
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with :
14. Qualified Social Work degree, SWE registration and experience of working with children and young people
15. Comprehensive knowledge of legislation relating to fostering and Looked after Children
16. Experience of establishing and nurturing multi-agency relationships
17. Ability to work directly with the wider public, foster carers and children
18. Ability to produce clear, analytical assessments
19. Self-motivated and accustomed to working to deadlines
20. Good IT 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.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 3 questions:
21. Please tell us about your motivation for applying for this role
22. Please tell us what experience you can bring to this role
23. Please tell us about what is important to you when working with fostering families and the children they care for?
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 8th March 2026 with interviews to follow.
We are committed to inclusive recruitment. That's why, if you're invited to a face-to-face interview, we'll share the themes of the questions with you in advance. This way, you can prepare and feel comfortable, allowing you to confidently discuss your skills and experiences.
Contact Us
We look forward to receiving your application,