Surrey County Council

Job Introduction
The starting salary for this role is £31,659 per annum, working 36 hours per week.
Looking for a meaningful role where you can make a difference? We are recruiting a Support Time Recovery Worker to join our fantastic Prisons team. This position is based at HMP Highdown, with the expectation to attend and support across all Surrey prisons.
As a Support Time Recovery Worker, you’ll help prisoners access vital services like healthcare, education, and work opportunities. Working closely with Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, you’ll motivate individuals to build independence in daily living, navigate prison systems, and prepare for life after release. It’s a challenging but rewarding role for someone who’s empathetic, resilient, and passionate about supporting others to make positive changes.
Our Offer to You
<ul>
<li>26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service</li>
<li>Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave</li>
<li>A generous local government salary related pension</li>
<li>Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year</li>
<li>Paternity, adoption and dependents leave</li>
<li>An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing</li>
<li>Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources</li>
<li>Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping</li>
<li>A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.</li>
</ul>
About The Role
The implementation of the Care Act (2014) means Surrey County Council now holds social care responsibilities whilst prisoners reside in Surrey Prisons. As part of a small, specialist team delivering social care within prison settings, you will play a key role in supporting service users with a range of needs. The role includes a reablement element, focusing on promoting independence and supporting individuals with physical needs and other challenges.
You will be primarily linked to a designated prison, in this case HMP Highdown, but will also be expected to work across other establishments as needed, helping to maintain service coverage seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.
You will be required to work face-to-face with service users, providing direct support. However, there will be opportunities to work from home for tasks such as recording case notes, attending virtual meetings, and completing training.
A typical day in this role involves visiting service users on the prison wings and providing support in line with their individual support plans. This may include assistance with personal care, managing correspondence, maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces, and helping them integrate into the prison environment.
You will work directly with individuals who have a range of disabilities, including mental health conditions, learning disabilities/ASD, and physical impairments. You’ll also participate in reviews and assessments alongside your team and maintain regular contact with other professionals within the prison, attending scheduled meetings as required.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
<ul>
<li>You have experience across older persons, mental health, learning disabilities or physical disabilities.</li>
<li>You are self-motivated with a high level of autonomous working.</li>
<li>You are flexible and adaptable to work in a challenging and demanding environment to promote the social care agenda within the prisons for those who are eligible for services.</li>
<li>You hold a full current driving licence and use of a vehicle to enable you to effectively undertake this role. Applications from those who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.</li>
</ul>
As part of the position, you will be required to complete Ministry of Justice (MOJ) checks and will be issued keys to access the prison and move independently within the wings.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
<ul>
<li>Looking at our advert, and considering the Council’s commitment to ensuring that “no one is left behind”, please tell us what it is about the role that has motivated you to apply?</li>
<li>Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have that you can bring to this role?</li>
<li>What three qualities do you have that would make you a good Support Time Recovery Worker and how do these qualities support Surrey County Council’s culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and adaptability?</li>
<li>How do you ensure that the individual's wishes, strengths, goals, and preferences remain central to the support you provide, while balancing risk, prison regimes, and professional boundaries?"</li>
</ul>
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description &amp; Our Life at Surrey handbook 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.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 25/10/2026 with interviews planned to follow.
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.
For an informal discussion, please contact Donna Lander at <a href="mailto:donna.lander@surreycc.gov.uk" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">donna.lander@surreycc.gov.uk</a> or Mandy Grimes at <a href="mailto:mandy.grimes@surreycc.gov.uk" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">mandy.grimes@surreycc.gov.uk</a>.
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.

Support Time Recovery Worker

Support Time Recovery Worker

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