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 £61,954 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week and is based at our Woodhatch Place Office in Reigate. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average and work to a hybrid model of working.
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
Are you an experienced, registered Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with a significant experience in managing teams, driving forward practice improvements and leading projects?
Are you passionate about professional development, education, and innovation in practice? Do you want to lead and shape key strategic projects that impact the future of occupational therapy and social work in the AWHP directorate? We are offering an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal role within the Academy.
About the Team
Our Academy is here to support and grow a strong, skilled, and confident workforce. We lead on the training, career development opportunities and practice improvement activities for staff in our directorate – be that registered professionals, non-registered and reablement team colleagues.
We focus on supporting our workforce, improving how teams work, and making sure we're ready for future challenges. We use data and feedback to guide what we do, including learning from audits, staff feedback and resident insights.
The Academy is a space for learning, reflection, and support—helping staff build their skills, share good practice, and feel confident in their roles.
About the Role
This role will report to Head of Academy and draws on our vision to have the right workforce with the right skills in place for all operational staff to do their job well. A typical day would include managing the team, overseeing key programmes, quality assuring and delivering training, as well as being part of strategic meetings to shape our training and development offer to all staff within our directorate. The role is also expected to deputise for the Principal Social Worker when needed.
Key Responsibilities for this role include:
10. Managing a team of registered and unregistered staff.
11. Championing equity, diversity and inclusion across our directorate. Building strong working relationships within and beyond our directorate to support joined-up, inclusive practice.
12. Leading on the Oliver McGowan training programme, overseeing and leading the programme that directly links in with our Autism Strategy. This includes working with key partners across the ICB as well as exploring sustainable options for future delivery of this programme.
13. Leading on Safeguarding Training, working with the Head of Safeguarding and safeguarding advisors to ensure our training offer around safeguarding is sustainable and meets the needs of the directorate. Deliver Safeguarding Training to practitioners and managers. Develop and run bespoke best practice sessions using learnings from serious incidents, audits and SARs.
14. Budget oversight and including management and oversite of our training budget.
15. Lead on Quality Assurance of training and courses that are being offered as part of their Academy. Undertaking training gap analysis when needed.
16. Lead on our training and development offer for senior staff, developing a robust and sustainable learning and development offer for experienced staff. Working in collaboration with knowledge experts in the directorate.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following requirements, skills and align with our :
17. To be a registered social worker or occupational therapist with significant experience working in a statutory social care team. Experience working with older people, people with learning difficulties, mental health needs and neurodiverse needs would be beneficial.
18. A proven track record of managing a diverse team, demonstrating a high level of communication skills with a variety of stakeholders. This includes skills in supervision, coaching and performance management
19. A high level of knowledge and experience around social care matters, especially around managing safeguarding enquiries and leading on multi-agency safeguarding responses.
20. Experience in undertaking a learning needs analysis across a complex system
21. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate complex concepts and information in clear, concise, and easily understandable language to a variety of audiences
22. Experience and understanding in holding and managing a budget
23. Experience in developing, facilitating and leading workshops, reflective practice sessions and development activities
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and to respond to our 3 application questions.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our to get an insight into working at Surrey.
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.
For an informal discussion please contact Anja Barker (Head of Academy/ PSW) by e-mail.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 19/04/2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Interviews will be held virtually.
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.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to various SCC offices.
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.
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.
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