Senior Social Worker

Surrey County Council; Reigate; Hybrid; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England seeks a Senior Social Worker for its Learning Disability and Autism team in Reigate. This permanent role offers hybrid working, allowing for a flexible approach while focusing on complex case management. Responsibilities include supervising the team, conducting assessments, and collaborating with health colleagues. Applicants must hold a qualification in social work and have substantial post-qualification experience. The position promises a competitive salary and benefits, including generous leave policies.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, increasing with service

Generous local government pension

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing discounts on gym and lifestyle

Qualifications

• Effectively leads safeguarding enquiries and coordinates multi-agency responses.
• Models high-quality practice and provides support to new staff.
• Manages complex assessments, including mental capacity and care act assessments.

Responsibilities

• Work with complex cases in the Learning Disability and Autism team.
• Supervise junior members and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Conduct assessments and manage legal court work.

Skills

Advanced Assessment & Decision-Making

Leadership & Practice Development

Safeguarding Expertise-Skills

Skilled Communication & Relationship-Building

Multi-Agency Coordination & System Navigation

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Job description

• Category: Qualified Social Work - Adult's
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Posted on: 22 January 2026
• Closing date: 15 February 2026
• Location: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This permanent role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We have a great opportunity to join our East Learning Disability and Autism team as a Senior Social Worker. We support hybrid working with the right balance, and we come together in person for 1 day per week on average (20% of the working week) and support working from home the rest of the time.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Optionto buy up to 10 days ofadditionalannual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leaveand 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity,adoptionand 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 Role

We have a vacancy in our Learning Disability and Autism East Teambased in Woodhatch, Reigate. We are looking for a competent Senior Social Worker to join our allocations team working with complex cases in order to meet their desired outcomes. This includes managing and prioritising a complex case load, legal court work, partnership working with our health colleagues, completing Section 42 enquiries, supporting the team with professional development and supervising junior members of the team to ensure a high quality standard of service is provided.

Our team offers a positive, supportive working environment where training and development is prioritised. We would like to hear about your substantial post-qualification professional experience as a Social Worker and your experience of providing professional supervision.

Your Application

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

• Advanced Assessment & Decision‑Making:Ability to carry out and quality‑assure complex assessments, including safeguarding enquiries, Mental Capacity Assessments, Best Interests decisions, and Care Act assessments. You should be able to analyse risk, apply legislation confidently, and make sound, defensible professional judgements.
• Leadership & Practice Development:Ability to provide practice leadership within the team, offering guidance, mentoring, and support to newly qualified social workers, students, and colleagues. You will will be required to model high‑quality practice and contribute to improving standards across the service.
• Safeguarding Expertise-Skills: Ability to lead safeguarding enquiries, coordinating multi‑agency responses, and ensuring legal and procedural compliance.
• Skilled Communication & Relationship‑Building:Effective communication skills with individuals, families, and professionals, adapting your approach for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, or communication barriers. You will be able to manage conflict constructively and ensure you remain neutral.
• Multi‑Agency Coordination & System Navigation:Ability to confidently work across health, housing, commissioning, and provider services. You should evidence an understanding of Surrey's internal pathways—such as CPMM, brokerage, and specialist teams—and use this knowledge to coordinate holistic, person‑centred support.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• Describe a complex case you managed. What made it challenging, and how did you approach it?
• What process do you follow when identifying, analysing, and managing risks in a case?
• Have you ever encountered conflicting priorities between agencies? How did you manage this?
• How do you identify when a team member is struggling, and what steps do you take to support them?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15/02/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

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.

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.