At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents by providing essential information and advice on adult social care services.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council's dedicated Adult Social Care Information & Advice Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and a good understanding of social care is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and community impact.
The starting salary for this role is £33,552 per annum, working 36 hours per week. This full-time position is based at Dakota, Weybridge, and is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity. Following your induction, there will be flexibility to work from home for part of the week.
Join our dedicated team at Surrey County Council's Adult Social Care Information & Advice Service as an Advisory Officer! We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and committed to making a difference to the lives of our residents. In this role, you will be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values growth and continuous improvement, playing a key role in delivering the high-quality service we are proud to offer.
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
The Adult Social Care Information & Advice Service serves as the first point of contact - our 'front door' - for anyone seeking support from Surrey's Adult Services. In this dynamic and fast-paced role, you will handle a diverse and engaging range of enquiries. While the environment can be demanding, it is also highly rewarding. You will be trusted to make informed, independent decisions and encouraged to bring your energy, ideas, and initiative to help continuously enhance the quality of our service.
In this role, you will respond to enquiries from both the public and professionals seeking support for adults, offering clear and comprehensive information about local care and support services. Your guidance will help individuals understand how adult social care works in their area, explore available care and funding options, and navigate the process of accessing the right support.
What a typical day might look like:
- You will be the first point of contact for incoming enquiries, managing each interaction within agreed service level targets.
- You will assess the urgency and risk of each call, using your judgement to prioritise and respond effectively.
- Working closely with colleagues across Surrey, you will help coordinate timely responses to requests for support, advice, information, and safeguarding concerns.
- You will engage with residents and their families to gather important background information. This insight is crucial in supporting our partner agencies and ensuring the right help is provided.
- You will play a key role in supporting emergency responses by working with police and ambulance teams. Your coordination will help ensure the right resources are deployed quickly and efficiently during critical situations.
To help you settle in and feel fully supported, all new team members will work from the office 4 days a week during the initial induction and training period (up to 12 weeks). Once you are confident and ready to work independently, you will move to a hybrid pattern - typically 2 days in the office and 3 days from home. You are required to be flexible, as there will be times when you will need to come into the office more often depending on team or service needs.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for an interview, your application will need to outline and evidence your previous skills and experience and align with our behaviours:
- A good understanding of social care and health issues, with a basic awareness of public sector and voluntary agencies
- Experience of providing high levels of customer care and professionalism to members of the public
- Ability to deal empathically with sensitive calls/situations and high level written and verbal communication/interpersonal skills
- Excellent IT skills and use of databases to a high standard of accuracy
- Ability to work effectively and flexibly and as part of a team
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Please describe your experience of providing high-quality customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- What is your understanding of adult social care and the role of public and voluntary sector agencies in supporting individuals?
- What systems or databases have you used in your previous roles, and how do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail when working with digital records?
- Tell us about a time you worked collaboratively to respond to a challenging situation or emergency.
You will need to evidence relevant experience combined with a natural capacity for empathy in dealing with sensitive and potentially distressing calls, and have keen eye for detail and accuracy when inputting information onto databases. If you can tick the above and are enthusiastic about helping our residents with their requests and enquiries; we look forward to receiving your application.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 20th February 2026 with interviews planned for week commencing 23rd February 2026. The interview will include a 10-minute presentation in a format of your choice on a topic shared in advance.
A basic DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to 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 these new councils, 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 are 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.
Advisory Officer in Weybridge employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advisory Officer in Weybridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Surrey County Council and their Adult Social Care Information & Advice Service. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect better during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to customer service and social care. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role of an Advisory Officer. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! During the interview, let your passion for helping others come through. Talk about why you’re excited about making a difference in residents' lives and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of the interview, have a couple of thoughtful questions ready. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Plus, we love a curious mind!
We think you need these skills to ace Advisory Officer in Weybridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm: When writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through! We want to see that you're genuinely excited about making a difference in our residents' lives.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to align your answers with the specific questions we've asked. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the role of an Advisory Officer. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us understand your qualifications quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of adult social care and the role of public and voluntary sector agencies. Brush up on local services and funding options, as this knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've provided high-quality customer service in fast-paced environments. Think about how you handled sensitive situations and what steps you took to ensure a positive outcome for the individuals involved.
✨Get Tech-Savvy
Familiarise yourself with the systems and databases you’ve used before. Be ready to discuss how you ensure accuracy and attention to detail when working with digital records, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Think of a time when you worked collaboratively to tackle a challenging situation or emergency. Be prepared to share this story during the interview, highlighting your interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.