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Children's Assessment Senior Social Worker, SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
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Children's Assessment Senior Social Worker, SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
Senior Social Worker – Assessment Team
Location: Guildford Hours: Flexible (combination of home/office working)
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: £49,464 - £52,864 per annum, plus a financial package of up to £6,000 extra
- Key benefits:
- Pay your Social Worker England Registration fee
- 28 days annual leave (rising to 31 days after 5 years), plus option to buy up to 10 extra days
- Extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days carer’s leave, plus paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- Generous pension scheme (local government salary-related)
- Lifestyle discounts (gym, travel, shopping, many more)
- 2 paid volunteering days annually
- Refer a friend payment of £1,000 for successful hires
- Learning & development hub with 60+ bespoke training courses, including motivational interviewing and Total Respect
About the Role
Our Assessment Team makes the first critical contact with families, setting the tone for all future relationships. As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll:
- Create strong, consent-based relationships with families and partners using motivational approaches
- Assess whether statutory social work intervention is needed or if a lower-level support plan will suffice
- Work creatively, holistically, and child-focused, ensuring protection and wellbeing
- Benefit from high-quality supervision with a focus on your career growth and work-life balance
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You’ll be part of Surrey Children’s Services, an award-winning team recognised for its Good Ofsted rating and strong commitment to practice excellence. Our Children’s Services Academy empowers you with the latest skills to deliver kind, sensitive, and respected care.
Key Responsibilities
✅ Conduct thorough social assessments of children’s needs and family situations ✅ Develop protective plans that respect both children’s and families’ rights ✅ Work collaboratively with partner agencies, educations, and health services ✅ Ensure confidentiality, equality, and dignity in all interactions ✅ Provide evidence-based recommendations to managers ✅ Commit to continuous professional development in children’s social care
Requirements
Essential:
- Qualified Social Worker degree with SWE Registration
- Completed Assignment of Social Work Education (ASYE) within 2 years of qualifying
- Minimum 3 years of post-qualified social work experience (with a focus on children’s services)
- Valid UK driving licence, access to a vehicle, and willingness to travel across Surrey’s diverse geography
- Enhanced DBS check (including Children’s and Adults’ Barred List)
Desirable:
- Experience in assessment roles or trauma-informed practice
- Knowledge of surveillance and safeguarding procedures
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Flexible Working & Inclusivity
We’re proud of our agile working model, blending home/office where possible while keeping you connected to your team. All adjustments are made to ensure disabled or long-term health condition applicants can thrive in the role.
We’re a Disability Confident Employer—if you declaring a disability on the form and meet the job’s requirements, we guarantee you an interview. Our recruitment process also includes:
- Pre-diagnosed interview topics for advance preparation
- Support for adjustments from application to hire
Application Process
Apply by 23:59 on 9th July 2026 with:
- Your CV
- Short answers (max 200 words) to:
- “What has motivated you to apply?”
- “Key skills and experiences you’ll bring to this role”
- “How do you manage pressure in a fast-paced setting?”
Next steps:
- Shortlisted candidates proceed to a virtual interview (15-20 min)
- Successful interviewees move to an in-person meeting with the team
Why Join Surrey Children’s Services?
- Meaningful work making a real difference to children’s futures
- Supportive, innovating environment with clear career progression
- A local government reorganisation guarantee—your role will transfer seamlessly to new councils
Want to be part of Surrey’s next step? Let’s talk—we’re excited to hear from you!
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