495 Social Work Jobs in United Kingdom

The starting salary for this position is £33,552 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. This opportunity is offered on a full time, permanent basis.

We are looking for a positive and creative individual to join the Family Safeguarding Team as a Family Support Worker to help make a difference to our children and family’s lives.

When not working with our residents 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 but ensuring you feel connected to your team and the service by coming together for 2 days a week in the office. Please note, the contractual location for this role is Reigate.

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

About the Team

Surrey Children’s Service believes that the welfare of children and their families is paramount. Team members are positive, enthusiastic and supportive; committed to the provision of a quality service for children and their carers. We are looking for people with similar qualities to join us.

About the Role

As a Family Support Worker you will support Social Workers in the team, working intensively and in a planned way with children, their family or carers and other agencies and services. Supporting children and families to achieve their potential will be central to all you do. You will undertake direct work with children, parenting work and potentially group work. As well as this, you will need to be able to work in partnership and use your skills to engage with children in a meaningful way. We use motivational techniques to engage families in creating positive change.

As a member of our team, you will be working alongside partners, agencies and the voluntary sector to support children and their families in the community. Surrey Children’s Services provide training to ensure competence and professional development. We will ensure that you receive a full induction and monthly supervision.

Shortlisting Criteria

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

• An understanding of working with children who are in need of support or protection
• Experience of working directly with children and young people and able to show how this work has resulted in positives outcomes
• Ability to engage with families/carers and children, as well as supporting Social Workers in managing risk and effecting positive change
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle
• Commitment to working with families most days of your working week; the majority of the work we do is best completed in person

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following application questions:

1. What has motivated you to apply for this role?
2. Describe your experience of working directly with children and young people.
3. How do you approach engaging with families, carers, and children—especially in situations where there may be resistance or risk?
4. Give an example of a time you used motivational techniques or similar approaches to help a family make meaningful progress.

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 Shirley Caffrey-Thanacoody

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 09/08/2026 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! 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 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.