The message is clear from Surrey jobs – now is a great time to join its’ children's services as a frontline children's social worker.

After passing a recent unannounced OFSTED inspection, confidence within the local authority is high as it continues through its journey of improvement. With a real focus on children’s social care, it is passionate about getting the right outcomes for the children it represents.

In a recent statement, Press Officer Alex Adams said of the commitment:

“In the past year, we've built a framework for success – with the resources, people and support firmly in place to enable us to deliver our promises. There's still a way to go before we achieve everything we want, but we're well on our way.”

To continue to develop its’ children's social work teams and increase its’ overall effectiveness to protect Children in Surrey, the authority is looking for motivated, committed and skilled professionals to contribute to its’ sustained journey of improvement.

“In return,” says Mr Adams,“we provide all the support our new recruits will need to do a great job. As well as encouraging our social workers to attend learning events, we also sponsor foundation degrees for support workers and hold regular forums for our managers. We've increased the number of our supervisors too.”

To join Surrey County Council as a Social Worker, prospective candidates will need to have:

• An appropriate social worker qualification
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
• A full valid UK driver's licence and vehicle
• Experience of working with children and young people is preferable within a statutory childcare environment
• The ability to demonstrate that you’re child focused and have knowledge of best practice and relevant legislation. You should be committed to providing the very highest standards of care
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure (formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) with Children's and Adults barred checklist

“Once their application has been received and reviewed,” says Mr Adams,“successful applicants will be invited to attend one of our selection days. We hold regular interviews via selection days, in either Leatherhead or Woking, giving new career-seekers lots of benefits to demonstrate the key skills they can bring to our Children's service.”

Surrey County Council also has other frontline children's service teams with a variety of vacancies including:
• Duty and assessment
• Children in need
• Children protection and court proceedings
• Looked after children

There is a four area structure to Surrey's Social Care teams and at Surrey's main offices each of the above teams can be found.

The Main offices are:
Fairmount House, Leatherhead (north-east area)
Quadrant Court, Woking (north-west area)
St Francis Centre, Guildford (south-west area)
Consort House, Redhill (south-east area)

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/jobs/job-sectors/change-and-efficiency

About Surrey County Council:
Surrey County Council can be contacted on the following:
Surrey County Council
Contact Centre, Room 296-298, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2D
Telephone: 03456 009 009 (general enquiries)
Overseas: +44 20 8541 9944 (general enquiries)
Lines open: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
Fax: 020 8541 9575. Minicom: 020 8541 9698. SMS: 07527 182 861