Social Worker

Social Worker

Weybridge Full-Time 48687 £ / year No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Assessment Teams to support Children and Young People in Surrey.
  • Company: Surrey County Council is dedicated to improving services for children and families.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28-31 days leave, lifestyle discounts, and a generous pension.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and have relevant experience.
  • Other info: Guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants and a commitment to inclusivity.

We have a great opportunity for a Social Worker to join our fantastic Adolescent Service based in Weybridge.

Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.

The salary range for Social Workers who have successfully completed their ASYE is £47,239 – £50,135 per annum. This is inclusive of a market supplement of £5,000. We also offer a financial package of up to £6,000 which is payable in 3 instalments across your first 18 months in post.

Our Offer to You

A competitive relocation package of up to £8,000
We pay your Social Worker England Registration fee
28 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years\’ service (plus bank holidays)
Access to our car lease scheme
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
A generous local government salary related pension
Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
2 paid volunteering days per year
Up to 5 days of carer\’s leave per year
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
Refer a friend payment of £1,000 as a thank you for finding the right Social WorkerAbout Us

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our Adolescent Service in Surrey, which is bringing together a range services for young people including those who go missing, are involved in gang culture and are vulnerable to exploitation, including criminal and sexual exploitation. Our team includes Social Workers and Adolescent Practitioners who are focussed on achieving positive outcomes for young people. We are committed to doing things differently through implementing a brand-new model for working with adolescents, taking into account current research and best practice.

Our Progress

We are proud of our recent Good Ofsted judgement, which marks a significant milestone for Surrey. In relation to our Adolescent Service the report highlights that: \”The intensive and highly effective support provided to children and families by adolescent team social workers, intensive family support workers and edge of care workers enables children to remain living with their families when it is safe to do so and in their best interests.\” and that: \”Staff are well-trained and committed, feel highly valued and are proud to work in Surrey.\”

About the Role

We are looking for enthusiastic people who want to be part of the journey to help shape services in Surrey for adolescents. You will have support from a range of teams in a central hub to compliment the work that you do. This includes Youth Justice, Missing, Edge of Care and Rapid Response, Intervention Support, Risk and Intelligence and Youth Offer. As part of the latter phase of the safeguarding adolescents model, partnership colleagues from Education, Health, Police and other agencies will join the hubs as part of the commitment towards adolescents services in Surrey.

You will work with skilled, passionate, and supportive Team Managers and colleagues, looking at innovative ways to address adolescent risk outside of the home, building relationships with our families and partners so the voices of our young people are heard. 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.

Your Application, Our Inclusive Approach

We are looking for skilled and passionate adolescent workers who are experienced at working with young people and have the confidence and emotional intelligence to engage others.

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

Qualified Social Work degree and SWE Registration
ASYE completed, within two years of qualifying
UK social work experience – at least 1 year UK frontline social work experience
Demonstrable skills in supporting adolescents at risk of exploitation, gang culture or other contextual safeguarding risks
Experience of, or willingness to learn about, working with young people and an understanding of risk factors for adolescents
Capable of working with professionalism and empathy
Ability to write good quality assessments, implement contextual plans, deliver interventions and undertake court work if requiredSurrey has both urban and rural areas and qualified 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.

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 be able to bring to this role.
What in your view, are challenges that young people face today? Please tell us how you see the role supporting with them?Next Steps

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview to explore your answers to the above questions (lasting approx. 15- 20 min), If successful following this, you will be invited for an in person interview, allowing you to meet the team, check out your potential office and get a feel for what your journey might look like.

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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 25th February 2026 with interviews on the 2nd and 3rd March 2026.

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.

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. xiskglj

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

Social Worker employer: Surrey County Council

Surrey County Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a strong commitment to training and development, including access to over 60 courses through the Surrey Children's Service Academy, employees are empowered to excel in their roles while enjoying generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, a financial package, and lifestyle discounts. The inclusive culture fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
S

Contact Detail:

Surrey County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Social Worker

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the key values and practices of Surrey Children's Services. Understanding their commitment to strong relationships and consent-based practice will help you align your responses during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to cope under pressure, as this is a crucial aspect of working in an Assessment team. Think about times when you've successfully managed multiple tasks or challenging situations.

Tip Number 3

Research motivational interviewing techniques and child-centred approaches. Being able to discuss these methods confidently will show your commitment to best practices in social work and your readiness for the role.

Tip Number 4

Engage with current employees or alumni from Surrey Children's Services on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for your interview preparation.

We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker

Empathy
Communication Skills
Active Listening
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Teamwork
Motivational Interviewing
Assessment and Evaluation
Knowledge of Child Protection Legislation
Conflict Resolution
Adaptability
Report Writing
Interpersonal Skills
Cultural Competence
Resilience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Social Worker in the Assessment Teams. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills align with their needs.

Craft Your Motivation Statement: When answering the question about your motivation for applying, be specific. Reflect on your passion for working with children and young people, and share personal experiences that have shaped your desire to pursue this role.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience: In your application, clearly outline the key skills and experiences you bring to the role. Use concrete examples from your past work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of social work.

Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, you'll have a virtual interview. Review the themes of the questions provided in advance and prepare thoughtful responses. Practice discussing your experiences under pressure, as this is a crucial aspect of the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council

Understand the Role

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Social Worker in the Assessment Teams. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as motivational interviewing and working under pressure, as these will likely come up during your discussion.

Prepare Your Motivational Answers

Be ready to articulate why you are motivated to work in children's social care. Reflect on your personal experiences and values that align with the role, as this will help you convey genuine passion during the interview.

Showcase Your Experience

Think of specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to cope under pressure and manage multiple tasks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your interest in the role and the organisation. You might inquire about the training opportunities available or how the team supports each other in challenging situations.

Social Worker
Surrey County Council
Location: Weybridge

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>