Adults - Social Care Assistant

Surrey County Council; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Old Woking is seeking a compassionate Social Care Assistant to support residents in need of care. The successful candidate will assist with assessments, serve as a primary contact, and facilitate discharges from Kingston Hospital. This rewarding role offers a starting salary of £30,647 annually and includes comprehensive benefits such as generous holidays, pension plans, and professional development opportunities. Join us and make a meaningful difference in the community.

Benefits

26 days holiday, rising to 31 days

Local government pension plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development resources

Qualifications

• Valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle required.
• Enhanced DBS check will be required.
• Experience in supporting individuals is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist qualified practitioners with tasks including assessments.
• First point of contact for service users.
• Support discharges from Kingston Hospital.

Skills

Empathy

IT proficiency

Excellent communication

Task management

Job description

The Team works closely with carers, family members and partner organisations to enable residents to live their best possible life, ensuring that no one is left behind. We are committed to ensuring carers and family members feel supported, given the vital role they perform in the life of those who matter most to them. We are a professional team made up of a variety of roles and backgrounds, and we support and encourage learning and development at both an individual and team level. Join Us in Shaping the Future of Frontline Services

About the Role

We are embarking on an exciting and innovative transformation in how we deliver frontline services to our residents. As part of this change, we are moving away from our current locality model and introducing new ways of working designed to improve outcomes and enhance the resident experience. Our new service model includes two key areas:

• Connect to Community – a dynamic front‑door service providing immediate support and guidance
• Area Teams – a dedicated service focused on longer‑term assessment and reviews

Further details about these services can be found in the attached document titled “C2C and Area Team Information.” The new model is scheduled to go live on 1 March 2026. At this stage, the role will either sit within the newly created Connect to Community or Area Teams; this will be confirmed in due course.

We are looking for a compassionate and empathetic individual with a variety of skills and experiences to work with the people we support, enabling them to enjoy a home of their own and an environment in which they are supported to live a healthy and meaningful lifestyle. Your role will assist qualified practitioners with a variety of tasks, including assessing people’s needs and carrying out regular reviews. You will often be the first point of contact between the public and the service, gathering initial information and identifying the need for further assessment, as well as signposting people to other services.

This post will focus on the integration part of our team, supporting discharges from Kingston Hospital, and completing assessments in the community following a period with health‑funded support or re‑ablement to identify any long‑term needs.

Interview Questions

1. Looking at our advert, and considering the Council’s commitment to ensuring that “no one is left behind”, please tell us what it is about the role that has motivated you to apply?
2. Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have that you can bring to this role?
3. What three qualities do you have that would make you a good Social Care Assistant and how do these qualities support Surrey County Council’s culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and adaptability?
4. What experience, if any, do you have in supporting people in being discharged from hospital and/or working with colleagues in health?

Qualifications and Requirements

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality‑based social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle, and be willing to travel across a wide 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.

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 Reorganisation (LGR) – Surrey County Council is undergoing a transition from a two‑tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

• The ability to empathise with, and show compassion towards, individuals in need of social care assistance.
• Strong knowledge of the needs and challenges faced by adults requiring social care, and a commitment to supporting their well‑being.
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely and high‑quality outcomes.
• Proficiency in basic IT skills such as Microsoft Office, email and file management alongside a demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt to new software systems.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and respectfully, both verbally and in writing.

Salary and Benefits

This role has a starting salary of £30,647 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a Social Care Assistant to join our fantastic team. This role is incredibly rewarding and we are confident that, with strong support from the team, your career will go from strength to strength. You will end each day with the satisfaction that you are making a difference, ensuring no one is left behind.

• 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 dependent’s 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

We are a caring and committed team serving residents who find themselves in need of drawing on care and support, and who may have physical disabilities, illness or sensory impairments.

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!