At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower residents to live independently and support daily activities in a warm environment.
- Company: Join Woking Borough Council's Living Well Team, dedicated to community care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexi time, pension scheme, and discounted health memberships.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities amidst local government changes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 25989 £ per year.
Are you passionate about empowering individuals to live independently within Extra Care housing? Do you thrive in a customer-focused environment where collaboration and compassion are the core of everything you do? We’re looking for a proactive, empathetic, and dedicated Independent Support Officer to join our Living Well Team. As an Independent Support Officer, you’ll play a vital role in the day-to-day running of our Extra Care scheme, supporting residents to live independently and confidently in their own homes.
You’ll be a welcoming presence for day centre guests and be a reliable point of contact for tenants, helping to create a warm, inclusive, and well-organised environment. Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing responsive support to residents, helping with queries and signposting to relevant services and partners.
- Managing practical tasks such as taking payments, booking transport, making appointments, and handling deliveries.
- Carrying out essential administrative duties, including answering phones and handsets, maintaining records, and assisting with general office operations.
- Supporting the smooth running of communal areas including the café, lounge, dining room, and associated activities.
- Serving daily lunches and organising special events.
- Creating a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors and ensuring the building remains a safe and friendly space.
- Taking responsibility for building health and safety, including fire safety procedures and reporting maintenance issues.
- Ensuring case notes are consistently accurate and up to date using internal systems, while also supporting a range of housing management responsibilities.
The Council offers in return a generous flexi time scheme with the ability to take two flexi days a month, membership of the local government pension scheme, discounted health and leisure membership, plus many more excellent benefits.
DBS Check: Woking Borough Council takes a robust approach to thoroughly checking anyone who has applied to work with vulnerable groups including children. As this job involves contact with vulnerable groups, successful applicants will be required to obtain a Disclosure Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Assistance will be given by the Council and further details can be found in the job pack.
English Language Requirement: The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for this post. An assessment may be required.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss this further, please contact the Human Resources team.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Statement: Surrey is included in the Local Government Reorganisation plans, with new unitary councils expected to be established by April 2027. Woking Borough Council remains committed to delivering high-quality services to residents throughout this period of change. While we understand that applicants may feel uncertain about joining us during this transition, it is anticipated that most employees will transfer to the new unitary councils. This reorganisation may also present new career development opportunities across the region.
UK Visa Sponsorship: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
AI Use in Applications: We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications. All submitted information—whether supported by AI or not—must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications. Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.
Who to contact for informal discussion: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Independent Living Team Leader emma.laming@woking.gov.uk or Resettlement Team Manager jessica.newcombe@woking.gov.uk.
Closing Date: 20 July 2026 @ 23.59
Interview Dates: 29 July 2026
Please do not submit a new application if you applied within the last six months.
Independent Living Support Officer in Surrey employer: Woking Borough Council
Woking Borough Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. As an Independent Living Support Officer, you will benefit from a generous flexi time scheme, access to the local government pension scheme, and discounted health and leisure memberships, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of residents. The Council prioritises employee growth and development, especially during the upcoming local government reorganisation, which presents exciting new career opportunities across the region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Living Support Officer in Surrey
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Woking Borough Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Woking Borough Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Woking Borough Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Woking Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Living Support Officer in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Woking Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Woking Borough Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Woking Borough Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
