Description
We are committed to the development of our workforce. 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.
The starting salary for this position is £21,119.50 per annum, based on working 18 hours per week (pro rata from the full‑time salary of £42,239).
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in collaborative, innovative environments? We are looking for a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join our Connect to Community East 1 Team.
Everything we do is guided by our values — collaboration, respect and ambition for our residents — and we are looking for people who share our values and are motivated to make a significant and positive difference to the lives of our residents. If you want to be part of a service that's growing, evolving and committed to doing things differently, this is the place to build your next chapter.
Our Offer to You
1. 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
2. Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
3. A generous local government salary related pension
4. Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
5. Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
6. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
7. Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
8. Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
9. A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About our Team
From March 2026, the new Connect to Community (C2C) operating model will reshape how residents access Adult Social Care by offering timely, strengths-based and person-centred support that helps people remain independent and connected to their communities. As the first point of response for adults seeking help, C2C will bring Occupational Therapists and Senior Occupational Therapists into a dynamic multidisciplinary team, working together through daily case reviews and rapid problem solving. They will lead on urgent assessments, safeguarding, risk management and short-term interventions, with direct access to services such as reablement, housing advice and technology-enabled care to put practical solutions in place quickly.
By reducing delays, avoiding unnecessary handoffs and focusing on early, preventative action, the model enables occupational therapists to apply strengths-based practice, clinical reasoning and functional assessment at the earliest stage. Streamlined access and embedded best practice will ensure residents receive consistent, high-quality support from professionals with the right skills in the right place. Working alongside Area Teams, which provide longer term support for people with complex needs, C2C creates a seamless pathway that promotes wellbeing, reduces risk and maximises independence. This is an exciting chance for Occupational Therapists and Senior Occupational Therapists to help shape a modern, community-focused approach to Adult Social Care and play a central role in systemwide transformation.
About the Role
Using a strength-based approach, you will work alongside adults with diverse and often complex needs, including those who are elderly and frail, have learning disabilities, physical or sensory impairments, or experience mental ill health, supporting them to live meaningful lives within the community. The occupational Therapist role involves frontline, holistic occupational therapy practice in a social care setting, completing assessments such as moving and handling risk assessments, and providing interventions ranging from short-term equipment provision to longer-term support.
Hybrid working is encouraged, with a laptop and mobile phone provided, flexibility to manage your own diary, and opportunities to see clients in their own homes or residential settings, alongside full moving and handling training and access to an equipment store.
We know career progression is important to our occupational therapists, so we have created a Senior Readiness Programme to support development and prepare our occupational therapists for Senior Occupational Therapist roles.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our :
10. Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy and current registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
11. Experience of working within a social care, health or community focused multi-disciplinary setting
12. Ability to complete person-centred and proportionate OT assessments
13. Familiarity with moving and handling equipment such as hoists and stand aids
14. Knowledge of medical conditions and the likely impact on the individual, carer and family
15. Knowledge of current legislation, including the Care Act and the Mental Capacity Act and its application to practice in a social care setting
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality based social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our to get an insight into working at Surrey.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
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.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 22/03/2026 with interviews to be confirmed
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! Please see more information here:
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.
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