Senior Social Care Assistant - Learning Disability & Autism

Job Introduction

We are committed to the development of our workforce. As such, 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 role has a starting salary of £32,512 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.  

“The LDA team are a group of very talented and kind-hearted people, who have made my journey into social care effortless. Working for the LDA team has taught me so much; not only have I made friends for life but developed so many skills that I could not have obtained in any other sector! Not every day do you get to work in a specialist team, where you can advocate for the clients you support; alongside working with some of the most experienced social workers in the field. You are forever learning something new, and always able to progress onto new things” – Bethany Street, Senior Social Care Assistant 

We are hiring a new Senior Social Care Assistant to join our fantastic Learning Disability & Autism team. The team is based in Leatherhead and offer a welcoming and supportive environment for a Senior Social Care Assistant to expand their knowledge and skills around strengths based practice. 

The team is currently based in Leatherhead but will shortly be moving offices to Woodhatch Place, Reigate. Hybrid working is offered with office attendance expected 2 days a week. We can also offer flexible hours.

 
 Rewards and Benefits 

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), 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
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Flexible Hours
• Hybrid working with 2 office days a week
  

About the Team
We support those whose primary needs arise from Learning Disability and/or Autism. We are a large team who offer a positive working environment with opportunities to increase knowledge and skills in many areas. We actively encourage our staff to develop within their roles and do all that we can to ensure they are able to progress in their careers.

We work in a fast-paced environment with a range of functions including safeguarding, case management, assessments and reviews. We are fortunate to benefit from support from a range of professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Commissioning and Brokerage Teams, who support us to achieve best outcomes for the individuals we support. 

About the Role 
As a Senior Social Care Assistant at Surrey, we will put you in the best possible position to perform your role, including completing S9 Care Act assessments, supporting carers, support planning and reviewing outcomes and statutory safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014. You will be managing risk, promoting person centred planning and providing direct positive intervention to some of our more complex service users. You will work collaboratively with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure our Service Users and their families receive the best possible outcomes.
 

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following: 

• Experience in completing S42 enquiries
• The ability to empathise with, and show compassion towards, individuals in need of social care assistance.
• Experience of working with residents with a variety of physical and cognitive social care needs, including strength-based assessments, home visits, and support plans.
• Working knowledge of the Care Act legislation and how it impacts the work we do.
• The ability to independently take the initiative and adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and respectfully, both verbally and in writing.
• A commitment to your own professional development

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following 3 application 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. Can you provide an example of a support plan you have prepared? Explain the process you followed, including how you assessed the needs of the service user, monitored and reviewed outcomes, and ensured the plan was person-centred.
3. Discuss a time when you collaborated with both internal and external stakeholders. How did you manage these relationships to ensure the best possible outcomes for service users and their families?

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. 

For an informal discussion please contact Joanna Hearson by e-mail or on MS Teams.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 05/05/2025 with interview dates to be confirmed.

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

Our Values 
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values. 

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment 

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.