Overview
Join to apply for the Social Worker Children Looked After role at Surrey County Council.
We have an opportunity for a Social Worker to join our Children Looked After Team based in Reigate. When not working with our residents in the community, we support agile working with a combination of home and office working. We aim to balance flexibility with connection to your team and the service.
The salary range for Social Workers is £42,239 - £45,135 per annum. We also offer a financial package of up to £6,000 payable in 3 installments across your first 18 months in post. Information about qualifying criteria to receive this payment can be found HERE. Our Total Reward Statement includes additional information about other financial benefits, including professional fees, pension contribution and more.
Our Offer to You
* We pay your Social Worker England Registration fee
* 28 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays)
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* 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 more
* 2 paid volunteering days per year
* Learning and development hub with a wealth of resources
* Refer a friend payment of £1,000
Our Progress
We are proud of our recent Good Ofsted judgement, which marks a milestone for Surrey. The report notes that children in care have trusting and positive relationships with their Social Workers and that staff are well-trained, valued and proud to work in Surrey. Read the full report HERE.
About Working With Children Looked After
As a member of the Children Looked After Team, you will support children living with relatives, foster families, perspective adopters or older children in children's homes and semi-independent units. You will build sustainable relationships, plan for permanence, ensure safety and support independence. You will conduct regular visits, assessments, and Care Plan reviews, understand and interpret wishes, and champion children to reach their full potential. You may be required to prepare reports and attend court.
You will be supported with regular supervision and consultations with our Mental Health Focused Social Worker, and by working with other social workers, family support workers and partnership organisations such as Health Services, CAMHS (New Leaf), Independent Reviewing Officers and carers.
Supporting You
You will have a sense of belonging within your team and the wider service and directorate. You will receive high-quality supervision and dedicated time to focus on work with children and families, enabling a child-centred approach. Career development is supported by our Surrey Children’s Service Academy with over 60 courses and a bespoke learning program to help you achieve future aspirations. Modules such as motivational interviewing and the Total Respect course help you have essential conversations while maintaining a child-centred practice.
Our Inclusive Approach
To apply, upload your CV and answer the following questions (no more than 200 words per question):
* Please tell us what has motivated you to apply for this role?
* Please tell us about the key skills and experience you will bring to this role.
* Please tell us about an example that demonstrates how you have built long-lasting relationships with children.
Before submitting your application, read the job description and Our Life at Surrey handbook for insight into working at Surrey.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first-round virtual interview (approx. 15–20 minutes) to explore your answers. If the Teams call goes well, you will be invited for an in-person interview to meet the team and see the office. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and will share interview themes in advance to help you prepare.
Contact Us
For more information, please email cflworkforceteam@surreycc.gov.uk to arrange a call. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 27 October 2025. An enhanced DBS check and other safeguarding checks are required. You will need to be registered with Social Work England. Surrey has both urban and rural areas; a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are expected for travel across the area. Reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is reorganising local government into new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils. Read more here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.
Our Behaviours
The Surrey Way behaviours guide how we work together and deliver for customers, communities and colleagues. Learn more about our behaviours.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer; if you have disclosed a disability and meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee an interview. We are committed to supporting you with adjustments from application to start date, valuing inclusion and welcoming you to join our team.
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