Local Area Coordinator

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL; Tandridge; On-site; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in Tandridge is seeking a Local Area Coordinator to support community integration and individual empowerment. The ideal candidate will have experience working with diverse groups, particularly those facing mental health challenges or disabilities. This role offers a competitive salary, with opportunities for professional development and generous leave policies, including ample vacation days and employee assistance programs.

Benefits

26 days' holiday

Local government pension

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing discounts

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals facing mental health issues, disabilities, or caring responsibilities.
• Practical experience in advocacy and strength-based support.
• Ability to work creatively and independently.

Responsibilities

• Support local communities and individuals to build capacity and prevent service intervention.
• Assist individuals in personal crises and facilitate access to services.
• Collaborate with various professional sectors to enhance service delivery.

Skills

Experience with diverse individuals

Advocacy skills

Creative problem-solving

Collaboration with health professionals

Job description

The starting salary for this role is £41,585 per annum, working 36 hours per week.

Are you passionate about the power of local community? Are you motivated by helping people and families achieve their vision of a good life?

We are excited to be hiring a Local Area Coordinator to work alongside designated local communities within Hurst Green in Tandridge Borough.

This is a fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity up until the 27th March 2027.

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

We want Surrey to be a place where everyone has a great start to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives and can achieve their full potential and contribute to their community. With the help of the national Local Area Coordination Network, and along with our partners, we have introduced Local Area Coordination in Surrey to help us make this a reality.

The Local Area Coordinator role is positioned in Surrey County Council (within the Adult Health & Wellbeing) but in day-to-day practice you will be based in the local community, alongside colleagues from other services, the local Borough or District Council, NHS partners, and the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector.

You will be part of a small team of seven Local Area Coordinators, helping to grow and champion this approach. This is part of our wider efforts to support people earlier and more effectively within their homes and local communities.

As the Local Area Coordinator in this area, you will be aiming to:

• Take introductions from services, organisations, and local people to support people in the local area to stay strong, build their personal capacity and prevent any need for service interventions by building on their strengths and natural support through local relationships
• Walk alongside people facing personal crisis, supporting them to achieve person-centred services within the context of a supportive community network around them
• Help our public services to learn, understand and transform so they are integrated, person centred, and co-produced with communities

The Local Area Coordination approach has had a positive impact for communities in other areas of the country and we are excited to see this starting to happen in Surrey too.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours.

• Experience of working alongside and supporting a diverse range of people, including those experiencing mental health issues, older people, people with physical disabilities, families, carers, and their local communities
• Understanding and practical experience of advocacy and supporting people to plan for their future in a strength-based way
• Ability to work creatively and independently
• Experience and ability to work with a broad range of professionals within the health and social care sector as well as elected members, community leaders, third sector, voluntary, community and faith sectors

To apply

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions, using a maximum of 1,000 words in total:

• Please tell us what has motivated you to apply for the position of Local Area Coordinator, and what you hope to bring to the role?
• Please describe your experience of working alongside people from diverse backgrounds, including those who may be facing mental health challenges, physical disabilities, or caring responsibilities for example. How did you build trust or tailor your support to meet their individual needs?
• Please tell us about a time when you supported someone in a strength-based way. What advocacy skills did you use, and how did you help them build on their strengths?
• Please describe a situation where you had to work independently and creatively to support someone or solve a complex issue. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?

Please note: a candidate information evening is being held by Zoom on 20th November between 6pm and 7pm. If you would like to join this to find out more about the role please email Charlotte Austin at and she will forward the link for you to join.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 30th November. If you are shortlisted for interview you will be invited to a Communities panel week commencing 8th December. If you are successful, you will then be invited to a interview panel on 16th December.

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.

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!

Our Commitment

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.