Adults Social Care Assistant

Surrey County Council; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a motivated Social Care Assistant to join its East Surrey Hospital team. This permanent, full-time role offers a starting salary of £30,647 along with benefits like 26 days' holiday, a generous pension, and hybrid working support. The position involves assessing individuals' needs, coordinating care, and ensuring safe hospital discharges. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills and understanding of safeguarding. Join us in making a meaningful difference to our residents' lives.

Benefits

26 days' holiday

Local government pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing discounts

Qualifications

• Understanding of safeguarding duties and risk management.
• Clear written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with partners and community resources.
• Competent in using systems to manage information.
• Flexible in prioritizing tasks across different teams.
• Ability to explain financial options simply.

Responsibilities

• Carry out assessments and create care plans.
• Support independence and well-being through advice.
• Assist with safe discharge from hospital.
• Collaborate with the Transfer of Care Hub.
• Manage a varied caseload and ad hoc tasks.
• Explain financial options clearly.

Skills

Understanding of safeguarding duties

Empathetic communication skills

Ability to work with partner agencies

Competent in case management systems

Ability to prioritize tasks

Simplifying financial options

Tools

Liquid Logic for Adults

Job description

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

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

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our friendly East Surrey Hospital team as a Social Care Assistant. If you would like a rewarding role in Adult Social Care and are looking for the opportunity to develop a career in this area, this could be the opportunity for you.

We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 3 days per week on average (60% of the working week) and support working from home the rest of the time.

Our Offer to You

• 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 dependents 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 Role

Our team is currently undergoing a significant change, with a new Home First and Transfer of Care Hub (TOCH) now being trialled to work alongside our social care team. The TOCH is a joint health and social care initiative and is to be led by a social care manager who will work closely with our team to coordinate functions.

The role of a Social Care Assistant is very important to the Council, ensuring that we can safely support residents who have needs for our care and support. It enables us to ensure that 'no one is left behind' and that we can provide excellent customer service to those who need our support.

Key responsibilities of the Social Care Assistant include:

• Carrying out assessments for individuals and carers, creating tailored care plans.
• Support independence and wellbeing through advice, signposting, and access to community resources.
• Assisting rapid and safe discharge from hospital through coordination, collaboration and liaison with adults, families and relevant services under the guidance of senior team members
• Working closely with the Transfer of Care Hub to ensure safe, person-centred discharges for each person
• Manage a small but varied caseload, including routine duties and ad hoc tasks such as safeguarding follow-up and contingency planning.
• Explain financial options clearly, including direct payments.
• Participate in team duties, including duty desk and signposting.

As part of a changing team the successful candidate will be able to adapt to changes and support new systems that come about to help to improve the movement of people from hospital.

Your Application

To be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• A sound understanding of safeguarding duties and risk management, with an ability to apply judgement to manage cases and respond to changing circumstances
• Clear, empathetic written and spoken communication skills with individuals, carers, and professionals
• Ability to work effectively with partner agencies, families, and community resources
• Competent in using systems to record case progress and manage information, and a willingness to learn our client records system Liquid Logic for Adults
• Ability to prioritise tasks within short timescales and have a flexible approach to routine and ad hoc responsibilities across different teams
• Ability to explain financial options, including direct payments, in simple terms.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV, and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• 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.
• Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have that you can bring to this role.
• 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?
• What is something that you have done as part of a team (in a work or private capacity) that you are particularly proud of or has had a positive outcome for someone else?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 04/01/2025 with interviews planned to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.