We are currently welcoming Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) to join Surrey Children's Services as part of our Autumn 2026 cohort. The programme is planned to start on the 5th of October 2026.
Our Location and Teams:
Surrey is a large and vibrant county that borders with Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the west, please refer to the map attached to understand more about our geography.
This is a unique opportunity to begin your career with us at a time of positive transformation. We are continuing to develop our services in line with the national Families First reforms, strengthening our Family Help approach and working more closely with multi-agency partners to deliver the right support at the right time.
At present, our teams include Assessment, Family Safeguarding, Adolescents, Children with Disabilities, Children Looked After and Fostering. Due to forthcoming changes associated with the Families First and wider service transformation, team structures are likely to change later this year.
As an NQSW, you will be supported to develop your practice within this evolving landscape, with a strong ASYE programme and clear professional guidance. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about team vacancies during the selection process. When applying, please indicate which of the geographical area(s), you would be willing to work in:
Northeast area office based in Weybridge, covering Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Epsom & Ewell
Southeast area office based in Reigate, covering Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge & Mole Valley.
Northwest area office based in Woking, covering Woking, Surrey Heath & Runnymede.
Southwest area office based in Guildford covering Guildford & Waverley.
You will be required to travel to the office where your team is based and within a geographical area to undertake direct work with children, young people and families, to attend meetings and training as required. When not working with our children and families in the community, we support agile working with a combination of home and office working. We are keen to get the balance right of providing flexibility whilst maximising learning opportunities for you as a Newly Qualified Social Worker and responding to service needs. We invite you to discuss this with us further at interview.
About Our ASYE Programme:
Our programme is well established and well resourced, supported by a capable team of experienced social work staff and managers. Across the 12 month programme you can expect regular reflective supervision from both your Team Manager and ASYE Assessor who will guide and support you to develop your knowledge base. You will have the opportunity to develop your professional skills and confidence for a career in frontline social work.
Our latest Ofsted inspection judged our Childrens Services as 'Good' The report recognises that "Staff are well-trained and committed, feel highly valued and are proud to work in Surrey."
Upon successful completion of the ASYE programme with us, there will be an opportunity to progress your career with Surrey County Council and tap into our Post-Qualifying Year 2 programme which supports you beyond the completion of your ASYE. You are able to find out more about what Surrey has to offer by visiting our Surrey Children's Services Academy web page.
NQSWs who undertake the ASYE programme with Surrey will have access to:
Induction and Support
A comprehensive ASYE Academy Induction programme and Team Induction.
Allocated Advanced Social Worker as ASYE Assessor, in addition to the operational Team Manager.
Graduated Supervision offer with increased support in the first six months.
Graduated workload reaching a 90% allocation by the end of programme.
Monthly one-to-one or group reflective supervision with ASYE Assessor.
Access to our Children's Quality Practice and Performance Service to develop skills in social work practice.
Monthly ASYE Learning Events focusing on Post Qualifying Standards (KSS).
Two days a month Protected Development Time.
Access to Community Care inform and Care Knowledge learning platforms.
Access to Surrey Safeguarding Children's Partnership training programme, our wider Academy learning & development offer, plus bespoke Court Skills for Social Workers & Domestic Abuse training for NQSWs.
Access to a secure SharePoint hub for collaborative working and access to up-to-date resources. Other Benefits:
28 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays)
We pay your Social Work England registration fee for any registration period when you are employed with us.
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
Parental, 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 Shortlisting Criteria:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
You hold a Social Work qualification such as a Degree, Masters or Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work (or will be about to obtain any of these)
You are (or will be) registering with Social Work England and have permission to work in the UK following your studies, without requiring employer visa sponsorship.
Your experience of working with children, young people and their families, e.g. paid or voluntary work / transferable work experience skills / social work placements etc
That you qualified within two years of the NQSW cohort commencing in October 2026 (If you qualified earlier than October 2024 your application will not be considered) You hold a current valid full UK driving licence and will have access to a vehicle when taking up employment with us
Surrey has both urban and rural areas, and you 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.
Contact Us:
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role via email at . This could be to discuss reasonable adjustments, understanding of the ASYE programme or Children's Services structures in Surrey and the opportunities available to you.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday the 31st of May 2026 with shortlisting planned for W/C the 1st of June 2026.
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview at one of our area offices. Interviews are planned to take place W/C 15th & W/C 22nd of June 2026.
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.
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
Salary description
£37995.00 - £37995.00 per year