Request for Support Assistant Request for Support Assistant

The Request for Support Team is embedded within Customer Services where you will find a supportive and innovative culture, along with the ethos of providing an excellent standard of service to our residents and partner agencies. The Request for Support Team is one of the three teams that form Surrey Children's Services Single Point of Access (C- SPA), the 'front door' to Children's Services. You will be working in a fast-paced environment, where the diverse experience and backgrounds of children and families are recognised and respected. As the public voice of the Council you will have an extremely important role to play. You will handle and screen calls from members of the public and professionals who are requesting support for children; identifying whether a referral is appropriate and/or signpost where necessary. You will provide high quality and efficient support to enable the smooth running of the Request for Support Team. As part of the role you will also input information onto databases and provide information to professional agencies where appropriate, ensuring information is sent to Children's Services and Early Help teams in a timely manner. You'll have responsibility to safeguard confidential information and respect the privacy of families, whilst adhering to internal data protection policies.

In this role you will need to be a highly organised, confident communicator with a professional and flexible approach to your work. You will have the ability to interact positively with families and professionals by putting them at ease and displaying understanding and empathy. To be considered for shortlisting for interview your CV and personal statement will clearly evidence:

• Experience of providing high levels of customer care and professionalism
• Excellent IT skills and ability to use databases to a high standard of accuracy
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly and as part of a team
• Excellent spoken and written English with effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel to Weybridge
Please be aware that you will be operating in sometimes challenging and emotionally charged situations; therefore, you must have the resilience to cope with sensitive and at times disturbing information and be able to prioritise and remain calm whilst working under pressure.

The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £26,777 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. We have a great opportunity for a Request for Support Assistant to join our Children's Request for Support Team in Surrey's award-winning Contact Centre based at Dakota in Weybridge. In line with Surrey's hybrid working policy, there will be an opportunity to work from home for part of the week following your induction period. Rewards and Benefits
• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 5 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources