Local Government Jobs

HOPE West in Guildford is an integrated service for young people aged 11-18 with complex social care and mental health needs.

HOPE offers young people with complex needs educational provision, social care and mental health interventions. Our multi agency staff team comprises of teachers, social workers, psychiatric nurses and therapists, giving you the opportunity to work closely with other disciplines and agencies such as CAMHS and education.

Working with young people as part of HOPE’s Day Programme and Outreach Community Service, you will support and advise colleagues in aspects of social care including child protection, as well as co-ordinating care plans, overseeing referrals, undertaking holistic assessments, risk assessments, providing therapeutic work and presenting cases to team meetings. We will encourage and support your active participation in Community Outreach and Day Programme work, and you will carry a complex caseload, although the referring team maintains case responsibility.

A creative, dynamic and motivated practitioner with experience of, or an interest in, mental health issues for young people, you must be able to forge effective working relationships across agencies. With DipSW, CQSW, or CSS qualification, you will also need experience of effectively working with children and families.

You will also have access, if eligible, to a flexible benefits package that includes car loan and relocation assistance.

An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and POCA check will be required for this role.

For an informal discussion, please contact Wendy Hirst on 01372 203 404 or email or Shelley MacDonald on 01483 517 190 or email

Interview date: 16 July 2009.

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Surrey County Council particularly welcomes applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.