Adults Social Worker and Senior Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism

The starting salary for our Social Worker roles is £40,929 per annum (pro rata for part time).

The starting salary for our Senior Social Worker roles is £49,464 per annum.

We currently have 3 PS9SC Social Worker and 1 PS10SC Senior Social Worker position available in our Learning Disabilities and Autism Team based in the West at our office in Guildford.

We are looking for Social Workers to join our amazing Learning Disabilities & Autism Service. We are looking for individuals who share our values and are motivated to make a significant and positive difference to the lives of our residents.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service (pro-rated for part time opportunities)
• 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 our Team

The West Learning Disability and Autism Team support adults in the west area of Surrey (Waverley, Guildford, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne). We believe everybody has strengths and has something wonderful to offer society, and these are embraced and empowered by our staff. As a team we have a very stable compliment of staff with extensive experience of working with this group of people. There is a real emphasis on development, reflection and support within the team.

About the Role

As a Social Worker you will complete S9 Care Act Assessments, Reviews, Support plans, S42 Safeguarding Enquiries, joint working with other professionals including Health, and collaborating with other stakeholders such as carers and advocates. We offer a supportive working environment where training and development is prioritised. As a Social Worker in Surrey you will work across various unique projects that ensure our valued service users have the opportunity to enjoy a home of their own, an environment in which they are supported to live a healthy and meaningful life.

As a Senior Social Worker you will be expected to have experience in assessing the social care needs of service users and provide direct social work intervention to some of the most challenging and complex service users and their carers. You will provide effective support to individuals using a strength-based approach to enable individuals to live as independently as possible with more choice and control.

You will supervise and support staff and will need to be flexible to work in a challenging environment, You will be supported and will benefit from a structured induction programme.

Shortlisting Criteria

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

Social Worker

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration and completion of ASYE (where applicable).
• Experience of working within a strengths-based approach to support individuals and families.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience of safeguarding enquiries, applying professional judgement in complex situations.
• Skilled in completing assessments, support plans, and reviews, ensuring positive outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, engaging effectively with individuals, families, carers, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities, work independently in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.

Senior Social Worker

In addition to the above the following is required for the Senior Social Worker role:

• Substantial post-qualification professional experience as a social worker is also required.
• An applied knowledge of The Care Act and The Mental Capacity Act and experience of undertaking safeguarding enquiries is essential alongside experience of working in complex situations using professional judgement and a range of interventions.
• You will have experience of, and be able to provide, professional, reflective supervision, guidance and advice to less experienced social workers, including those completing ASYE and social work students.

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.

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

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.

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.

For an informal discussion please contact Rob Urry-Tuttiett by email at rob.urrytuttiett@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01/11/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1st April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is West Surrey Council, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

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 shortlisting criteria, as displayed on the advert, 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.