Children with Disabilities Social Worker

Job Introduction The starting salary for these full-time, permanent positions is £43,633 per annum based on 36 hours per week. A start up/ retention payment of up to £6,000 , is also payable over 18 months in post. Eligibility criteria applies. We are looking for two Social Workers to join Surrey County Council’s Children with Disabilities Service within Family Help, based at our Woodhatch Place office in Reigate and covering East Surrey. You’ll use your social work expertise to build strong relationships, champion children’s voices and make a lasting difference to children with disabilities and their families, providing strengths-based support that helps families achieve positive and lasting change. Our Offer to You We pay your Social Worker England Registration fee Access to bespoke learning programmes via our dedicated Children’s Services Academy to empower and enrich your practice 28 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays) Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave Refer a friend payment of £1,000 as a thank you for finding the right Social Worker 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 The Surrey Context The national Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) represents one of the most significant changes to children's services in recent years. Placing earlier intervention, stronger partnerships, and better outcomes for children and families at the heart of practice, FFPP aims to create a more joined-up system that strengthens relationships and ensures families can access help before challenges escalate. About the Role At Surrey, we are ambitious for children and families. We are committed to ensuring children with disabilities receive high-quality support that enables them to thrive within their families, communities and local networks wherever possible. As a Social Worker joining our Children with Disabilities service, you will be part of our wider Family Help service, whilst retaining specialist CWD knowledge and expertise as a stand-alone service. We are clear that children with disabilities will remain rooted within Children with Disabilities services, ensuring continuity of relationships and specialist knowledge, while benefiting from the same multi-agency safeguarding oversight and decision-making arrangements as other children supported through our Family Help teams. You will work alongside qualified Social Workers, Family Help Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, education, heath and wider children’s social care services to provide more coordinated support, with fewer handovers for children and families, building on the approach and principles of Families First. This joined-up approach will strengthen early help, reduce duplication and enable families to access the right support at the right time, helping to prevent needs from escalating and supporting more holistic assessments and interventions. K ey responsibilities for this role include: Managing a varied caseload of children and families. Completing high-quality, child-focused assessments that identify needs, risks, strengths and protective factors. Working collaboratively with families to develop and regularly review clear, achievable plans that consider the needs of the whole family. Using your professional judgement to provide effective support and protection, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns. Working closely and collaboratively with colleagues across Family Safeguarding, Looked After Children’s services, Adult Social Care and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated support. Helping young people prepare for adulthood by supporting a smooth and well-planned transition into adult services. Maintaining clear and accurate records that demonstrate your analysis and professional decision-making. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills, experience and align with our behaviours : A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England. Experience of statutory social work with children and families in a UK local authority or comparable setting. Up-to-date knowledge of childcare legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding practice, including Working Together. The ability to complete high-quality assessments and make evidence-based professional decisions about need and risk. Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies. Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Social 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. To apply you will need to upload your CV and answer the following questions: Please tell us what has motivated you to apply for this role? Please tell us about the key skills and experience you will be able to bring to this role. A Social Worker in the Children with Disabilities Team may work with children for a Child and Family Assessment, Children In Need, Child Protection, Looked After Children and Proceedings. Given the array of skills needed, please tell us about your experience in these areas and how you would manage with this range of processes? The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 25th of October 2026 with interviews to follow. 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. 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. We’d love to hear from you and find out more about what you’re looking for so if you’d like to talk to us please just drop a quick message to cflworkforceteam@surreycc.gov.uk and we’ll get a call arranged. 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! 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.