At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Assessment Team to support children and families through impactful social work.
- Company: Surrey County Council, committed to improving services for children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with a focus on your skills and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Work degree, SWE Registration, and relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 47884 - 51175 € per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Social Worker to join our fantastic Assessment Team based in Woking. The salary range for Senior Social Workers is £47,884 - £51,175 per annum. We also offer a financial package of up to £6,000. When not working with our residents in the community, we are keen to support agile working with a combination of home and office working.
Our Offer to You
- We pay your Social Worker England Registration fee
- Access to bespoke learning programmes via our dedicated Children's Services Academy to empower and enrich your practice
- 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 where you can access a wealth of resources
- Refer a friend payment of £1,000 as a thank you for finding the right Social Worker
We recognise that looking for your next Social Work position is a really important step in your career and we're here to make that transition a positive one. Our commitment to applicants is to remove barriers and to understand more about you, your motivation for working in children's social care and why you're proud to work for such a valuable profession.
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 that 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.
About working in Assessment
The first contact any family or professional has with our assessment service sets the tone for our entire working relationship with them. Our practice across the whole service is based upon 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 work out 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 need of the child and family.
One Voice
In Surrey, you will have a sense of belonging within your individual team but also the wider service areas and directorate. You will receive high quality supervision, as there is a firm commitment towards 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 whilst also paying attention to your wellbeing and career development. This creates a sense of purpose and fulfilment with a clear pathway to achieve your future aspirations.
Wherever you are in your career journey, Surrey is committed to supporting and nurturing you so that you can be the best version of yourself. 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 our total respect course allow you to feel empowered in having essential conversations whilst still ensuring a child centred approach to your practice.
Your Application, Our Inclusive Approach
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
- Car driver with a valid UK licence
- ASYE completed, within two years of qualifying
- UK social work experience
- Three years post-qualified experience
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and 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. 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.
- Working in an Assessment team can be quite fast‑paced, unpredictable and often requires multi‑tasking. 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 to the above questions (lasting approx. 15‑20 min). If your Teams call goes well, 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 knowing what topics will be covered during the process, allowing you to focus and confidently discuss your valuable skills and experiences.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 3rd June 2026 with interviews to follow. 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.
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.
Children's Assessment Senior Social Worker in Surrey employer: Totalwellnessacupuncture
Surrey Children's Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment in Woking for Senior Social Workers. With a strong commitment to employee development through bespoke training programmes, generous annual leave, and a focus on wellbeing, we ensure our staff feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in children's lives. Join us in a dynamic team that prioritises professional growth and community connection, all while enjoying the benefits of a local government pension and lifestyle discounts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Assessment Senior Social Worker in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team before your interview! Check out their social media or website to see what they're up to. This will help you connect with them during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your experiences! Think of specific examples from your past work that highlight your skills and how they relate to the role. This will make your answers more impactful and memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the team or the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Assessment Senior Social Worker in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working in children's social care shine through. We want to see what motivates you to apply for this role and how your values align with ours.
Be Specific:When answering the questions, be sure to provide specific examples from your experience. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in the past, especially in fast-paced environments like assessment teams.
Keep It Concise:Remember, each answer should be no more than 200 words. So, get straight to the point! Highlight your key skills and experiences without waffling – we appreciate clarity and brevity.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and you'll find all the details you need to make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Totalwellnessacupuncture
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Senior Social Worker in an Assessment Team. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and the values of the organisation. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in assessment, relationship building, and working under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see your capabilities in action.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the support available for social workers. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
While it’s important to be professional, don’t shy away from showing your personality. The interviewers want to see who you are as a person, so let your passion for social work shine through. Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates.
