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Specialist Support Worker

Surrey County Council

Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 6JD£30,490.38 per annum (FTE £34,660)Permanent36 hours per weekCloses: 2026-07-12
Job Introduction 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 role is £30,490.38 per annum pro rata for 36 hours per week, 39 weeks per year term time working (FTE £34,660). There is an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Support Worker to join the Specialist Early Education Service, (SEES), which is part of the Surrey Educational Psychology Service (EPS). We are currently recruiting for one full-time position based in West Surrey (36 hours per week, term-time only). You will benefit from a structured induction programme, ongoing professional supervision, and access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities. 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 Team The Specialist Early Education Service (SEES) is a highly regarded and supportive service, delivering a range of specialist early education programmes for young children with additional needs across Surrey. Our programmes include Portage, Positive Play Programme (PPP), Communication and Play Programme (CAPP), and the Local Early Autism Programme (LEAP). All are grounded in evidence-based approaches recognised as best practice for supporting children with developmental needs. We are a collaborative and values-driven team where contributions are welcomed and valued. Feedback from parents, carers, early years settings and partner professionals consistently highlights the positive impact of our work on children’s progress and family wellbeing. About the Role As a Specialist Support Worker, you will work closely with pre-school children (aged 0–5 years) who have a range of complex medical, physical, and learning needs, including social communication differences and autism. You will provide support in family homes, early years settings, and community environments, using a play-based approach to assess children’s development, identify needs, and implement tailored intervention programmes. You will play a key role in empowering parents, carers, and practitioners with the skills and confidence to support children’s ongoing development. You will be responsible for: Delivering direct support to children, families, and early years practitioners across a range of settings Assessing, planning, implementing, and reviewing individualised intervention programmes Preparing resources and applying effective strategies to support children’s learning and development Building strong, sensitive, and professional relationships with families, particularly those who may be vulnerable Working both independently and collaboratively with a range of professionals, including nursery and pre-school staff Producing clear, accurate, and high-quality written reports that reflect children’s progress Maintaining accurate and up-to-date professional records You will be supported and supervised by SEES Teaching Leads, working as part of a quadrant-based team across Surrey. This is a mobile role requiring travel across your allocated area; therefore, access to a vehicle and the ability to travel is essential. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours : A relevant qualification in early education or a related field (e.g. NNEB, NVQ Level 3, degree or equivalent) Experience working with children in the early years (0–5 years), with a strong understanding of child development Experience supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) Ability to work effectively in partnership with parents/carers and professionals Strong organisational skills and the ability to plan, deliver, and review interventions Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including report writing To apply, we request that you submit a CV and personal statement. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 12th July 2026. Interview dates to be confirmed but likely to be Thursday 16th July 2026. 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. We look forward to receiving your application. Contact Us To discuss the role further please contact the Area Leads: Lisa Trend (North East) lisa.trend@surreycc.gov.uk Kathryn Stilwell (South West) Kathryn.Stilwell@surreycc.gov.uk Sara Crane (North West) sara.crane@surreycc.gov.uk Sian Armstrong (South East) sian.armstrong@surreycc.gov.uk 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: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council . 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.