Overview

Adults Senior Practitioner Specialist Lead, SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

We are hiring two Senior Practitioner Specialist Leads to join our small and close-knit team based at Dakota in Weybridge. The role is hybrid, with a mixture of office, community and home based working. We are looking for individuals who are interested in developing their practice, covering Adults Continuing Health Care, Children and Young People's Continuing Care and S117 work. This role is suitable for a Senior Social Worker, qualified Nurse or other Healthcare Professional.

Responsibilities

• Support and advise staff and managers on Continuing Health Care and s117, providing coaching and training to maintain high standards and improve efficiency.
• Offer professional advice on NHS Continuing Health Care/s117 and related legal frameworks, assisting with dispute rationales and briefings.
• Collaborate with Health colleagues on person-centred joint assessments, empowering individuals to maximise their independence.
• Handle core duties, complex cases, and NHS CHC disputes. Your main role is to support and advise staff and managers on CHC and s117.
• Provide supervision to social workers; work in community and hospital settings across Surrey with regular supervision and support.

Shortlisting Criteria

• You are a practising Qualified Social Worker with SWE registration and a social work degree (or a Senior Social Care Practitioner with a recognised nursing or other Allied Health Professions Qualification) having completed any post qualification practice or training requirements.
• Significant post-qualifying experience, including some management experience in Health and Social Care environments, with knowledge of CHC and S117.
• Strong commitment to the personalisation agenda and knowledge of Adult Social Care legislation (Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act) and CHC/NHS frameworks.
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and flexible, with excellent interpersonal and IT skills.
• Excellent organisational skills to coordinate multiple work streams relating to the development of professional staff.
• Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults and commitment to supporting carers and delivering services in line with the Council's Equality and Diversity Policy.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years and 31 days after 5 years of service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• 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
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub with resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of residents

About The Role

We are a team with a mix of professional registrations and experience, passionate about achieving positive outcomes for the residents of Surrey and supporting frontline teams in delivering excellence within the legal framework. The role offers collaboration with Health colleagues on person-centred joint assessments, empowering individuals to maximise their independence. You will handle core duties, complex cases and NHS CHC disputes, providing coaching and training to staff to maintain high standards and improve efficiency. The role involves working in community and hospital settings across Surrey, with regular support and supervision, and providing supervision to social workers. We seek confident, motivated and enthusiastic individuals who prioritise person-centred care and support individuals to make their own choices.

Contact Us

Please contact us with questions about the role, flexible working requests or transferable skills. For informal discussion please contact Julie Leversedge, Senior Specialist Advisor CCT/s117, by e-mail or telephone at 07855 514381, or Mina Rose, Team Manager, via e-mail or telephone at 01737 737322. Microsoft Teams if internal.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 19th October 2025 with interviews planned for 5th November 2025. Internal candidates should indicate if seeking a Secondment and obtain Line Manager approval.

An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation; your role will transfer with terms and conditions to one of the new councils in April 2027.

EEO and Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and will provide reasonable adjustments to enable applicants to participate in the recruitment process.

Our commitment: we value inclusion and support staff throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Location and Status

Surrey, Weybridge area – Hybrid working model; travel across a wide geographical area may be required.