Job summary
We are hiring Senior Social Workers to join our fantastic Hospital Discharge team based in Woking. We have two permanent vacancies and one fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 31st December 2025. The permanent vacancies are also open to Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), who will also be paid an additional £3,000 AMHP Allowance per annum on top of the starting salary.
Main duties of the job
This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker looking to develop their experience in a busy specialist service. We are looking for a Social Worker who is keen to work in a proactive, dynamic, friendly adult social care countywide team that undertakes adult social care assessments and carers assessments, s.42 safeguarding enquiries and Mental Capacity Assessments (MCAs). We work collaboratively with our local Mental Health Trust and other stakeholders to facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital for our residents.
About us
The Mental Health Hospital Discharge Team provides services to all Surrey residents who meet social care criteria in line with the Care Act 2014. We are leading the way in implementing new ways of working in personalisation and a recovery-focused strength-based approach. Our goal is for our service users to be able to make informed choices about the services they use, be more in control of their care, and to be active citizens within their community.
Job responsibilities
This role has a starting salary of £46,399 per annum, based on working 36-hours per week.
We are hiring Senior Social Workers to join our fantastic Hospital Discharge team based in Woking. We have two permanent vacancies and one fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 31st December 2025. The permanent vacancies are also open to Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), who will also be paid an additional £3,000 AMHP Allowance per annum on top of the starting salary.
Please note, the contractual location for this role is currently Quadrant Court, however it is our intention to move within the local area to Victoria Gate in Central Woking later this year.
Rewards and Benefits
26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' serviceOption to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leaveAn extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeingUp to 5 days of carer's leave per yearPaternity, adoption and dependents leaveA generous local government salary related pensionLifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more2 paid volunteering days per yearLearning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resourcesStructured mentoring and support from experienced colleaguesClear professional leadership, training and great opportunities to develop your careerWork/life balance: flexible working is supported where possible, including working from home or hot desking at several County Council sitesRelocation assistance of up to £8,000, subject to meeting eligibility criteria
About the Team
The Mental Health Hospital Discharge Team provides services to all Surrey residents who meet social care criteria in line with the Care Act 2014. We are leading the way in implementing new ways of working in personalisation and a recovery-focused strength-based approach. Our goal is for our service users to be able to make informed choices about the services they use, be more in control of their care, and to be active citizens within their community.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity for a Social Worker looking to develop their experience in a busy specialist service. We are looking for a Social Worker who is keen to work in a proactive, dynamic, friendly adult social care countywide team that undertakes adult social care assessments and carers assessments, s.42 safeguarding enquiries and Mental Capacity Assessments (MCAs). We work collaboratively with our local Mental Health Trust and other stakeholders to facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital for our residents.
We are committed to creating opportunities for service users to develop interpersonal and social skills through engagement in community activities. We work in a preventive capacity to reduce social isolation and seek to promote opportunities to enable re-integration and the development of independent living skills. We are developing expertise in MCAs within the area of Substance Misuse and are supportive of Social Work staff developing their careers as Best Interest Assessors (BIA), AMHPs or Practice Educators.
Ongoing training and supervision will be provided as per the needs of the service and Surrey County Council policies, including the application of the Care Act and MCA within the substance misuse arena. We are co-located and work closely with our health partners, and you must be able to demonstrate ability to form effective relationships with partners, stakeholders, service users and their families'.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work EnglandCompletion of 5 years of relevant practice or 3 years with an adjunct qualification i.e. BIA/AMHP/Practice EducatorAn extensive knowledge of Care Act and MCA legislation including experience in preparation of support plans, carrying out Care Act and MCA assessments, monitoring and reviewing outcomesCommitment to your own professional development, including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of mental health issues
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 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 06/04/2025 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work England
Experience
Essential
- Completion of 5 years of relevant practice or 3 years with an adjunct qualification i.e. BIA/AMHP/Practice Educator
- An extensive knowledge of Care Act and MCA legislation including experience in preparation of support plans, carrying out Care Act and MCA assessments, monitoring and reviewing outcomes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).