Senior Practitioner Specialist Lead
| Posting date: | 20 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £54,636 to £58,953 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 February 2026 |
| Location: | Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0YP |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Surrey County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | SCC/TP/287930/4365_1768910717 |
Summary
The starting salary for this role is £54,636 per annum, working 36 hours per week (pro-rata for part-time staff).
We are excited to be hiring two Senior Practitioner Specialist Leads to join our small and close-knit team based at Dakota in Weybridge. We currently have the following vacancies:
- One full-time position of 36 hours per week (part-time applications will be considered). The position is also open to internal candidates who would be interested in applying as a 12-month secondment opportunity. Please seek your Line manager approval if you are seeking a secondment opportunity.
- One part time position of 18 hours per week, paying £27,318 per annum (pro-rata to £54,636).
The role is hybrid, with a mixture of office, community and home-based working.
We are looking for individuals who are interested in developing their practice, covering Adults Continuing Health Care, Children and Young People's Continuing Care and S117 work. This role is suitable for a Senior Social Worker, qualified Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or other Healthcare Professional.
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
About the Team
We are a team with a mix of professional registrations and experience, passionate about achieving positive outcomes for the residents of Surrey and supporting front line teams in delivering excellence within the legal framework that we all operate within.
About the Role
This role offers the chance to collaborate with Health colleagues on person-centred joint assessments, empowering individuals to maximise their independence. You will handle core duties, complex cases, and NHS Continuing Health Care disputes. Your main role is to support and advise staff and managers on Continuing Health Care and s117, providing coaching and training to maintain high standards and improve efficiency.
You will offer professional advice on NHS Continuing Health Care/s117 and related legal frameworks, assisting with dispute rationales and briefings. The role involves working in community and hospital settings across Surrey, with regular support and supervision, and providing supervision to social workers.
We seek confident, motivated, and enthusiastic individuals who prioritise person-centred care, supporting individuals to make their own choices about their lives and support.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- You are a practising Qualified Social Worker with SWE registration and a social work degree (or are a Senior Social Care Practitioner with a recognised nursing or other Allied Health Professions Qualification) having completed any post qualification practice or training requirements.
- Significant post-qualifying experience, including some degree of management experience in a variety of Health and Social Care environments, demonstrating good understanding of both the Health and Social Care agendas. Some working knowledge and understanding of CHC and S117.
- A high level of understanding and commitment towards the personalisation agenda along with an applied knowledge of Adult Social Care legislation, including the Care Act, the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and the frameworks NHS Continuing Care for adults and children.
- You are an enthusiastic, self-motivated and flexible, with excellent interpersonal skills and proficient IT skills.
- Excellent organisational skills to coordinate various work streams relating to the development of our professional staff.
- A strong knowledge base for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and an understanding with commitment to supporting carers and delivering support and management in accordance with the Council's Equality and Diversity Policy.
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, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 8th February 2026 with interviews planned for 25th February 2026.
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.