Mental Health Social Worker

The starting salary for this position is £42,239 per annum, working 36 hours per week (pro rata for part time).

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in collaborative, innovative environments? We're looking for dedicated Social Workers to join our fantastic Mental Health Social Care teams. We are open to applications from both experienced and newly-qualified social workers who are passionate about supporting adults with mental health needs.

"Working and training with Surrey County Council as a Mental Health Social Worker has been a rewarding experience. I feel supported by management and my colleagues who are experienced and knowledgeable. We also find time to socialise which has been a fun bonus" - Issy Irwin, Mental Health Social Worker

We're proud to offer flexible working, with team bases across the County. We currently have the following vacancies:

• Tandridge (Oxted) - 1
• Dorking - 3
• Guildford - 1
• Surrey Heath (Camberley) - 1
• Mental Health Hospital Discharge (Based in Woking but Countywide) - 2

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• 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

We've recently restructured and are launching an exciting new way of working - and this is your chance to be part of it from the very start. You'll have real influence in shaping practice, building strong team cultures and helping us deliver a values-driven, strengths-based service that truly puts residents first. Our new operating model brings together Connect to Community (C2C) and Area Teams, creating a seamless journey for residents:

• Our C2C Teams act as the first point of response, providing urgent assessments, safeguarding, and support planning.
• Our Area Teams offer continuity for those with longer-term or complex needs, focusing on proactive case management and person-centred care.

Our new operating model is designed to cut down on unnecessary bureaucracy and increase meaningful time with people in their communities, focusing on what really matters: listening, building relationships and creating solutions that work.

These roles sit within our Mental Health Service which sits within the Area model.

About our Team

The team consists of Approved Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, and Social Care Assistants. This role will include hybrid working with an expectation of being office based 2 days per week. We will provide an induction, supervision and regular reflective practice sessions for additional peer support and learning.

About the Role

The Mental Health Service delivers services to Surrey residents who meet social care criteria in line with the Care Act. We communicate with partner agencies to ensure a high standard of service for Surrey residents who have mental health needs and their carers. Team members are friendly, cohesive and proud of their record in providing an effective service in the community.

As a Mental Health Social Worker, you will be carrying out assessments, reviews, safeguarding enquiries and providing direct social work intervention in relation to those with mental health needs.

Everything we do is guided by our values - collaboration, respect and ambition for our residents - and we're looking for Social Workers who share our values and are motivated to make a significant and positive difference to the lives of our residents. If you want to be part of a service that's growing, evolving and committed about doing things differently, this is the place to build your next chapter.

Shortlisting Criteria

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

• Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work England.
• Experience in Social Work, a working knowledge of Care Act legislation, mental capacity act, and mental health act including experience in preparation of support plans, monitoring and reviewing outcomes including assessment and risk management skills.
• Commitment to your own professional development, including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of practice issues.
• Experience or an understanding of mental health, including assessment and risk management skills

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.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 3 questions:

• Using one example, please describe how you have completed a Care Act assessment and developed a proportionate support plan, including how you identified, assessed and managed risk, and how you reviewed outcomes over time.
• Please provide an example that demonstrates your understanding/experience of working with people with mental health needs, including your approach to risk management and safeguarding enquiries, and how you keep your practice up to date through ongoing professional development.
• Please describe a time you worked with partner agencies to ensure a high standard of support for an adult with mental health needs (and/or their carer), including how you communicated, coordinated actions and kept the person's outcomes at the centre of the work.

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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 31/05/2026 with interviews to follow.

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!

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 criteria, 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.