Supported Lodgings Officer
By the way salary: 32,512 per annum based on a 36‑hour working week.
We are excited to be hiring a new Supported Lodgings Officer to join our fantastic Supported Lodgings Team based out of Reigate. The role covers the whole of Surrey, so you will need to be willing and able to travel throughout the County. There will also, on occasion, be a requirement to work some evenings or weekends.
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 Supported Lodgings Team sits in the Fostering Service within Surrey Children's Services. Our aim is to ensure that young people aged 16‑25, who are leaving the care system but are not quite ready to live independently, are supported in family‑style, semi‑independent accommodation to help them prepare for independent living. This ensures that they are able to develop the skills and confidence they need, alongside being able to make use of the resources available to Surrey residents.
We are a small, friendly, and effective team; committed to providing the best service that we can. The work we do is critical as we recruit, assess and support carers who can offer family based supported lodgings.
The Supported Lodgings Officer is a challenging but highly rewarding role, as every day you will see the impact your work has on the lives of the young people we support. The work is varied, and no two days will be the same, so you’ll need to be adaptable and enjoy a challenge!
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the first point of call for all our Supported Lodgings carers, helping them with queries and concerns
* Take part in referral interviews with young people to assess suitability for the scheme
* Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective carers and support them through their journey towards approval
* Assess prospective Supported Lodgings carers
* Undertake initial and supervisory visits to our carers
* Play an active part in organising and attending Lodgings Support events and monitoring and updating our social media
This is a varied role with plenty of opportunities to get involved. We’ll provide comprehensive support and excellent in‑house training to help you develop professionally and build confidence, so you feel fully equipped and empowered to succeed and progress.
Your Application
* Experience of working with children or young people in a paid or voluntary setting and a good understanding of the needs and experiences of young people who have been in care
* Effective relationship building and communication skills, with a good standard of literacy to be able to write reports
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a dynamic environment
* Good IT skills
* Ability to work effectively to timescales
To apply, you will submit a CV and be asked the following four questions:
1. Please describe your experience of working with children or young people (paid or voluntary). How has this helped you understand the needs and challenges faced by young people leaving care?
2. Give an example of a time when you built a strong relationship and successfully influenced someone's decision or approach. How did you communicate effectively and what was the outcome?
3. Tell us about a situation where you worked as part of a team in a fast‑paced or changing environment. What was your role and how did you contribute to achieving the team's goals?
4. Describe a time when you faced a challenging situation at work. How did you approach the problem, what steps did you take to resolve it, and what was the result?
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 30/10/2025 with interviews to follow.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to new unitary councils in 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.
Our Commitment
We are a disability‑confident employer which means that if you have shared a disability on your application form and have met 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, valuing inclusion and warmly welcoming you to build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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