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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting children and families through assessments and tailored solutions.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council, a proud Disability Confident Employer with a commitment to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, lifestyle discounts, and a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values partnership, creativity, and professional growth in children's services.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and have relevant experience in social work.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous learning with over 60 courses available through our Academy.
The predicted salary is between 46600 - 58600 £ per year.
Overview
We have an opportunity for a Team Manager to join our Assessment Team based in Woking. When not working with our residents in the community, we support agile working with a combination of home and office working to balance flexibility and connection with the team and service.
Salary: 54,636 – 58,953 per annum. We also offer a financial package of up to 6,000 payable in 3 instalments across your first 18 months in post.
Rewards and Benefits
- 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
- 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 with access to a wealth of resources
- Refer a friend payment of 1,000 as a thank you for finding the right Social Worker
Our Progress
We are proud of our recent Good Ofsted judgement, which marks a significant milestone for Surrey. The report highlights how strong assessments in Surrey consider children\\\’s histories and involve social workers spending time alone with children to understand their experiences. Our strong training and development offer in Surrey helps to equip staff with the understanding, knowledge and skills they need to practice in a kind, sensitive, motivational and respectful way and that staff feel highly valued, are proud to work for children\\\’s services.
If you are considering your next professional opportunity and looking for an ambitious and highly motivated employer who is continuously striving for better services for children and young people, then our Surrey Children\\\’s Services would love to hear from you.
Joining Surrey as a Team Manager will be an opportunity to be part of a culture in which children and families are supported in a spirit of partnership that encourages them to develop their own solutions while receiving the help and support they need to address their complex situations. You will also nurture and grow your own team of social workers and practitioners using a motivational interviewing approach, contributing to Surrey\\\’s continued journey to \”outstanding\”.
About Working in Assessment
The first contact any family or professional has with our assessment service sets the tone for our working relationship. Our practice across the service is based on consent, strong relationships with families and with partners who are also supporting our families. Using motivational approaches, the assessment social worker engages with both the family and the network supporting them to understand the presenting worries and determine whether a statutory social work service is required. If not, a plan to support the family at a lower level of need will be put in place to meet the needs of the child and family.
One Voice
You will have a sense of belonging within your team and the wider service areas and directorate. You will receive high quality supervision, with a commitment to dedicating time that focuses on the work you do with children and families to enable you to work creatively and holistically in providing support and protection to children while also paying attention to your wellbeing and career development. This allows you to feel fulfilled in your role and have a pathway to achieve future aspirations.
Our Surrey Children\\\’s Service Academy currently has over 60 courses available and offers a bespoke learning programme so you can be at the forefront of best practice. Modules such as motivational interviewing and the total respect course empower you to have essential conversations while maintaining a child-centred approach.
Our Inclusive Approach
To apply you will need to 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.
- Working in an Assessment team can be fast paced and unpredictable, often requiring multitasking. Using an example, please tell us how you cope under pressure?
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview to explore your answers (lasting approximately 15–20 minutes).
If your Teams call goes well, you will be invited for an in-person interview to meet the team, check out your potential office and discuss your journey.
We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you are invited to a face-to-face interview, we will share the themes of the questions in advance to help you prepare and discuss your skills and experiences confidently.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 1st September 2025.
An enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) for regulated activity and the Children\\\’s and Adults\\\’ Barred List checks will be required for this role. You will need to be registered with Social Work England.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality-based social care workers are expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, have access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments will be made for successful applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation to implement the Government-led policy of devolution, aimed at giving more powers to local areas. Surrey currently has a two-tier system with 11 district and borough councils and a county council; these will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils, coming into effect in April 2027. At that point, this role will transfer, with existing terms and conditions intact, into one of the new unitary councils.
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. We look forward to receiving your application; please click the apply online button below to submit.
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Children\'s Assessment Team Manager employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Assessment Team Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key principles of motivational interviewing, as this is a crucial approach in the role. Understanding how to engage families and support them in developing their own solutions will set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Surrey's recent Good Ofsted judgement and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to maintaining and improving these standards. Showing that you are aligned with their goals will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to multitask and cope under pressure. The interviewers will likely want to hear about specific situations where you've successfully managed challenging scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with current or former employees of Surrey Children’s Services if possible. They can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your responses during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Assessment Team Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Children's Assessment Team Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these requirements.
Craft Your Responses: You will need to answer specific questions in your application. Take your time to reflect on what motivates you to apply, the key skills you bring, and how you handle pressure. Use clear examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and responses, emphasise any previous experience in social work or team management, particularly in assessment settings. Mention any training or courses you've completed that are relevant to the role, such as motivational interviewing.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial for a managerial role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with children and families. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to child welfare and how you have positively impacted the lives of children.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a Team Manager, you'll need to lead and motivate your team effectively. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle pressure and multitask. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex situations, and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making skills.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Since the role involves using motivational interviewing approaches, brush up on these techniques. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply them in practice, especially in building relationships with families and supporting their needs.
