Family Intervention Worker – Surrey

The starting salary for these positions is £32,512 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. 

These positions are offered on a 12-month fixed-term basis, with potential to extend and are available due to additional DFE funding. 

In Surrey we believe that every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that children are best supported to grow and achieve within their own families. By working together, we are developing flexible services which are responsive to children's and families' needs, providing the right level of help at the right time. 

Our Family Intervention Workers within our Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS) are based across Surrey in our four quadrant teams, you will have the opportunity to select the location/s you wish to be considered for when applying:  

• South West Surrey – Office base location in Guildford, working across Guildford and Waverley boroughs/districts
• South East Surrey – Office base location in Reigate, working across Reigate & Banstead, Mole Valley, and Tandridge boroughs/districts
• North West Surrey – Office base location in Woking, working across Woking, Surrey Heath, and Runneymede boroughs/districts
• North East Surrey – Office base location in Walton on Thames, working across Spelthorne, Elmbridge, and Epson & Ewell boroughs/districts

Rewards and Benefits 

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role 

In 2024 Surrey County Council launched the Intensive Family Support Service to provide intensive early help for whole families who have interconnecting needs.  

Working together with partners in local communities, our vision is that more families should receive timely support in the hope that needs do not escalate, and statutory intervention can be avoided where possible. We want to ensure that expertise is shared and well-coordinated so that families have a consistent relationship with their Practitioner and are not ‘passed around’ multiple providers, having to repeat their stories and experiences. 

Since the service was established, we have realised the positive benefits that our Family Intervention Workers can have working alongside Social Workers in our Assessment Teams to start direct work with families at the earliest possible opportunity. These roles sit within our Intensive Family Support Service but will work closely with assessment colleagues to provide rapid support to newly referred families.  

On a typical day you can expect to be involved in: 

• Supporting whole families through a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, using motivational interviewing skills, one-to-one meetings, visiting children in schools, families in their homes, and delivering group-work
• Coordinating key support services and professionals to form an engaged, active and effective Team Around the Family with clearly defined roles and expectations as per the family plan
• Maintaining positive contact and effectively managing the balance of providing hands-on support and coordinating relevant partners. In all you do you will ensure that families are not 'passed around' different services and that support and relationships are consistent and meaningful

These roles provide a platform to gain a diverse range of social care experience that could unlock further development and career opportunities within Children’s social care. Feedback from our recent Ofsted inspection report highlighted the positive work of the IFSS and recognised that “Staff are well-trained and committed, feel highly valued and are proud to work in Surrey” which is something you can expect if you join IFSS! 

Shortlisting Criteria 

The application process will consist of 4 questions related to your experience and understanding of the role together with a request to upload your CV. Please note, you are not required to submit a personal statement. 

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence: 

• Understanding or awareness of legislation, procedures and issues relating to the support of vulnerable children and families, or the willingness to learn and develop this area
• Ability to plan, manage and prioritise a caseload, seeking guidance where necessary
• Ability to write clear, concise and accurate reports
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build meaningful relationships
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly as part of a team, supporting your colleagues when needed

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Family Intervention Workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a defined 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. 

We welcome applications from people local to Surrey and our surrounding borders with a broad range of whole-family experience to create multi-skilled teams. Full training will be provided, so if you are interested in this type of work and are committed to supporting families locally - we would be pleased to hear from you. 

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 about the role please contact ifss@surreycc.gov.uk 

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 29th of June 2025 

Interviews will take place during the week commencing the 14th of July 2025

As we are recruiting to a number of positions applications will be regularly reviewed and progressed therefore we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

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 Reorgnisation (LGR) 

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. 

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

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 Values  

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.  

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.  

Our Commitment  

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:  

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.  

 
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.