Specialist Carer Practice Advisor - Dementia

This permanent role has a starting salary of £42,958 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. This is advertised as a full time role but we also welcome part time applications.

Are you passionate about supporting unpaid carers in Surrey? Would you like to help shape the future of support offered to unpaid carers, especially those who care for someone with dementia?

We are looking for two passionate and caring individuals to join the Adults Academy as Specialist Carer Practice Advisors, with a focus on dementia.

These are hybrid working roles, with the expectation of working from any of our Surrey offices for up to 3 days a week. As we are undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, we expect the successful candidates to be open to work for either of the new local authorities.

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

These are exciting new roles that will play a key part in developing high-quality, carer-focused practice across Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships (AWHP) and the wider organisation. Working as part of a specialist team of Carer Practice Advisors, led by the Senior Carer Practice Development Advisor, you will help strengthen support for unpaid carers across Surrey and drive improvements in both practice and service delivery.

In this role, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across adult social care, health services, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, commissioned providers and local community partners to enhance support for unpaid carers, particularly those caring for someone with dementia. You will develop and deliver workshops, best practice forums and network meetings, helping to create more joined-up pathways that improve access to information, advice, training, wellbeing support and community resources.

You will play a vital role in developing the confidence and capability of the AWHP workforce, supporting practitioners and managers to deliver excellent, evidence-based and carer-focused practice. Working at both a strategic and operational level, you will help embed strengths-based, person-centred approaches and ensure that carers of all ages, including Young Carers, are consistently identified, recognised and supported throughout their caring journey.

The role also involves leading and supporting quality assurance activities, including audits and case reviews, and using feedback from carers alongside practice evidence, workforce insight and data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. In addition, you will line manage a small team of Carer Practice Advisors, deputise for the Senior Carer Practice Development Advisor when required, and represent Surrey County Council at internal and external events.

About the Team

We are a small, friendly and supportive team made up of a diverse range of professionals, including Learning and Development Consultant, Carer Practice Advisors and Professional Development Leads.

In the Adults Academy, our vision is to cultivate a thriving, inclusive and compassionate learning culture where people are supported to grow and reach their potential. Through learning, practice improvement, quality assurance and inclusion, we strengthen practice, support

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Operational experience within adult social care, carers support services or related working environments, especially around strengths-based practice and co-production
• A sound understanding of what good carer practice looks like, both from an operational and lived-experience point of view
• A strong understanding of the rights and challenges of unpaid carers, including the legislative framework that underpins our duties as a local authority
• Experience in developing, facilitating and leading workshops, reflective practice sessions and development activities, including understanding the importance of data and feedback informed practice
• Experience in coaching, mentoring and supporting practitioners and managers to improve practice, ideally with some experience in line managing others
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries and building effective partnerships with health, social care, community and voluntary sector organisations

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 3 questions:

1. Tell us about a specific time when you noticed that an unpaid carer’s voice, needs or rights were at risk of being overlooked. What did you personally do, what influenced your decisions, and what changed as a result?
2. Describe a real example of when you worked with practitioners, managers, carers or partner organisations to improve carer practice. What resistance or challenge did you face, how did you respond, and what did you learn about your own approach?
3. Tell us about a time when you worked with others to plan or deliver a training session, workshop or group activity. What was your contribution, how did you help make it engaging and accessible, and what did you learn from the experience?

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 18/10/2026 with interviews planned for Mid-November.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working patterns, caring responsibilities, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Anja Barker (Carers Lead/ PSW) by e-mail at anja.barker@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 shortlisting criteria, as displayed on the advert, 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.