Senior Social Worker
| Posting date: | 15 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,884 to £51,175 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 February 2026 |
| Location: | Woking, Surrey, GU21 6JD |
| Company: | Surrey County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | SCC/TP/287940/4420_1768494559 |
Summary
This role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on working 36 hours per week.
We are excited to be hiring a new Senior Social Worker to join our exciting Mental Health Hospital Discharge team based in Woking. This role is also open to candidates who are qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP).
Our Offer to You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
- Structured mentoring and support from experienced colleagues
- Clear professional leadership, training and great opportunities to develop your career
- Relocation assistance of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility criteria
About the Team
The Mental Health Hospital Discharge team is based in Woking and undertakes assessments for people with mental health needs admitted to a psychiatric hospital who have had no current involvement with social care. The team undertake Care Act Assessments to ensure the safe transition from hospital back to their home or another setting as assessed as appropriate. The team has a wealth of Mental Health and social care knowledge and experience shared by the team. There is a strong emphasis on learning and development which is promoted via regular supervision, team meetings and reflection sessions.
The team consists of Approved Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, Senior Social Care Assistants. This role will include hybrid working with an expectation of being office based 2 days per week. We will provide an induction, supervision and regular reflective practice sessions for additional peer support and learning.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker looking to develop their experience in a busy area Mental Health team. We are looking for a Social Worker who is keen to work in a proactive, dynamic, friendly adult social care team that undertakes adult social care assessments, carers assessments, s.42 safeguarding enquiries and Mental Capacity Assessments. We work collaboratively with our local Mental Health Trust and other stakeholders to ensure we meet the needs of residents with MH needs.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will have caseload management responsibilities underpinning practice with a strengths-based approach ensuring that assessments and support plans are creative, preventative and recovery focused enabling individuals to develop independent living skills. As a senior social worker, you will also be expected to support complex case management and will need a good understanding of risk management and working collaboratively with partnership agencies to plan hospital discharges. You will also need to have a clear understanding of safeguarding processes to ensure that adults at risk are supported.
The Mental Health Hospital Discharge social care team has a strong culture around learning and development; as a senior social worker you would be expected to contribute by supervising staff, leading on team projects, case audits, and contributing to peer reflective sessions. You will work closely with the senior team to review team development and identifying any barriers to practice.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work England
- Substantial post qualification professional experience, to include working with residents with mental health needs.
- An applied knowledge of The Care Act and The Mental Capacity Act and experience of undertaking safeguarding enquiries
- Experience of working in complex situations using professional judgement and a range of interventions
- Experience of professional reflective supervision, guidance and advice to less experienced Social Workers, including those completing ASYE and social work students
- Commitment to your own professional development
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality based social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be assessed for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
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.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15/02/2026 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
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.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
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.