Surrey County Council’s director of adult social care has stepped down from her post for “personal reasons and by mutual consent”.

Sarah Mitchell left the county council on December 31 after making “very significant” contributions to health and social care in Surrey since she became head of the department in March 2009.

David Hodge, leader of Surrey County Council said Ms Mitchell was widely respected and admired for her approach to partnership working and thanked her for her work.

Ms Mitchell said: “I have been proud to work for Surrey for the last five years. I wish the council and colleagues in the NHS and the voluntary and independent sector the very best for the future and I thank my staff for all their tremendous hard work and commitment over recent years.”