Senior Policy Officer
Employer: Surrey County Council
Location: Woking, UK
Contract: 12‑month fixed‑term contract/secondment
Salary: £41,585 per annum, 36 hours per week
Our Offer to You
* 26 days holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years and 31 days after 5 years
* Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
* Generous local‑government salary‑related pension
* Up to 5 days carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year; paternity, adoption and dependants leave
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
* Learning and development hub with access to a wealth of resources
* Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts (gym, travel, shopping)
* Chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About The Role
You will contribute to the work of the Policy, Planning and Projects Team (PPP) within the Quality Practice, Relationships and Support (QPRS) division of the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) directorate. You will navigate complex policy developments, interpret legislative changes, and translate them into meaningful actions for teams and partners.
Operating in a period of high organisational change, including Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), you will be adaptable, resilient and proactive in learning and collaboration. The role supports the implementation of national social care reforms such as the Family First Partnership Programme (FFPP), the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and SEND reforms, aiming to improve outcomes for children, families and communities.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead policy and procedural innovations for the FFPP, ensuring successful implementation of national social care reforms through strong project management and partnership engagement.
* Support the development, review and quality assurance of internal policies, procedures and guidance across children’s services to maintain high standards and compliance.
* Oversee status of policy documents, liaising with stakeholders to keep them current and reflective of best practice.
* Enhance communication strategies for policy updates, ensuring they are engaging, accessible and user-friendly.
* Work with the PPP team which delivers services such as national policy research, internal policy quality assurance, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Programme, business planning, inspection readiness and information systems development.
Shortlisting Criteria & Skills
* Strong understanding of national policy and legislative developments (e.g. FFPP, SEND reforms, Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill) and the ability to apply insights within an organisational context.
* Excellent written and verbal communication, partner engagement, coproduction, and balancing differing viewpoints to achieve shared outcomes.
* Analytical skills to produce clear, accessible summaries tailored to CFLL.
* Forward‑thinking approach to conceptualise workstream direction, align with strategic goals and distil complex information into actionable insights.
* Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to prioritise multiple areas, adapt to changing priorities and work flexibly across teams.
* Proven ability to solve complex problems and deliver projects within social care or local authority contexts, supported by strong digital skills.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 16/11/2025 with interviews to follow.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing LGR, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If employed by Surrey on 1 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.
Our Commitment
* We are a disability‑confident employer – if you have shared a disability on your application and 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, valuing inclusion and welcoming you to build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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