Customer service advisor jobs in Guildford, surrey

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

The Senior Advice Worker – SEND will be the specialist and subject expert in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and kinship care. You’ll provide 1:1 advice directly to kinship carers on all issues that impact on their caring role.

You will often be supporting kinship carers in high crisis. It will be part of your job to calm a situation quickly and support people to communicate what they need so you can provide personalised in-depth advice.

You’ll provide advice by phone, video calls and email, but you’ll also need to be able to respond to text, WhatsApp and online chat and other channels as we develop the service.

You’ll specialise in providing advice and information to enable kinship carers to support children with SEND needs, including speech, language and communication difficulties, social, emotional and mental health challenges, specific learning difficulties, and autism.

This will include advice and casework to support kinship carers to navigate the education system, understand Education, Health and Care Plan processes and access support from schools, children’s services and CAMHS.

As subject expert, you’ll provide expert input to the development of written information and resources and the development and delivery of specialist training for kinship carers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Respond to enquiries through a range of incoming channels. This includes taking calls on our advice line, as well as responding to enquiries submitted through our website, via internal referral or other channels.
• Provide high quality advice and information to kinship carers on their rights, entitlements and responsibilities in relation to welfare benefits, local authority allowances, support from children’s services, relevant legal orders, sources of educational, parenting and legal support and other issues that may be required.
• Assess vulnerability and risk to prioritise and respond to kinship carers’ issues in a timely manner.
• Research individual cases and identify possible courses of action.
• Address all safeguarding concerns in line with policy.
• Facilitate access to our advice service for people with diverse needs, e.g. by using appropriate translation services or assistive technology.
• Adapt communication style to respond appropriately to differing needs.
• Provide advice in a format that is manageable and understandable for the individual kinship carer.
• Apply agreed Kinship models of practice as appropriate, e.g. taking a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide specialist advice and casework on SEND-related issues. This may involve:
  • providing additional advice or support to enable a client to take action
  • undertaking follow-up action on behalf of the client to move the case on, e.g. negotiating with third parties
  • taking on complex casework to pursue significant outcomes for the client or strategic impact for all kinship carers

• Proactively update colleagues across Kinship on relevant updates in the SEND landscape, providing guidance to teams.

• Work closely with training colleagues to develop, create and occasionally lead training sessions to support kinship carers to navigate the SEND system.

Essential requirements include:

• Minimum of 2 years’ recent experience of delivering in-depth advice work on complex social welfare legal issues (e.g. benefits, housing, education or social care) to members of the public.

• Experience of giving both telephone and written advice.

• Either significant knowledge of and expertise in the SEND system and SEND-related issues, with the ability to develop expertise in kinship care advice; or, Significant knowledge of and expertise in kinship care advice, with substantial knowledge of SEND-related advice issues and the ability to become an expert in SEND advice for kinship carers.

• A demonstrable knowledge of relevant sources of advice and information. 

• Knowledge and evidence of good understanding of safeguarding issues and good practice.

• Proven understanding of the importance of confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach.

• Experience and confidence in development of resources

• Experience of effective management and supervision of staff, projects and/or services.

• Experience using Case Management Systems and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.

What we offer you:

• Flexible working - we understand how important it is to balance family and work life.
• ​30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (1 April to 31 March) pro rata (3 to be taken at Christmas shutdown)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential advice line and counselling)
• Charity Worker Discounts.

Key dates:

• Application deadline: Monday 20 April 2026, 12pm
• First interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (online)
• Second interview: w/c 11 May 2026 (if required)

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND by sending a CV and answering the questions below. The deadline is 12pm on Monday 20 April 2026. Any applications arriving after the closing date will not be considered for shortlisting unless there are exceptional reasons. Please ensure you have read the application timelines.

Please provide a cover letter answering the following 4 questions (up to 250 words per answer):

1. Give an overview of how your experience, qualifications and training equip you for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND.
2. Explain why you want to work for Kinship.
3. What are the key skills and personal attributes that you would bring to the role?
4. What do you see as the most significant advice issues confronting kinship families navigating the SEND system?

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Job Title: Senior Customer Services Advisor
Area of operation: Resident Services
Salary: £38,022 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Responsible to: Assistant Director of Customer Services
Pension entitlement: Company Stakeholder Scheme
Annual leave entitlement: 30 days per annum
Place of work: Based at English Rural’s Surrey office in Lower Eashing

About English Rural:

English Rural Housing Association is a leading national rural specialist working to provide affordable homes in small villages for local people.  We own and manage around 1,600 affordable properties, spread amongst 160 villages, and have a development programme of around 200 more homes.

About the role:

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join our customer services team and deliver exceptional services to residents? We are currently seeking a Senior Customer Services Advisor to join the team and help us embed a culture of customer excellence through our dedicated customer contact hub. As part of this role, you will work alongside technical and housing specialists to offer first-line responses to resident enquiries. In addition, you will support the Customer Services Manager in supervising and advising a team of Customer Services Advisors. This is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of our residents while developing your career.

About you:

Are you an experienced customer services professional, ideally with a background in housing associations or property-related environments? We are looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, who can work collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced environment. As the Senior Customer Services Advisor, you will need to have strong administrative and organisational skills to deliver day-to-day operational activities, with supervisory experience being desirable. An understanding of property maintenance and tenancy management, along with knowledge of rural communities, is essential to succeed in this role. We are seeking a candidate who is driven to achieve excellent customer service standards and is passionate about making a positive impact on our residents’ lives. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

Please advise if there are any restrictions to your residency in the UK that might affect your right to take up employment in the UK.

Closing Date: 12pm on Monday 20th April
Interviews: Friday 24th April (in Lower Eashing)

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

English Rural Housing Association is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in its workforce.

No agencies please.

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Role

We’re excited to lead a pan-Wales Financial Health and Wellbeing Service funded through our Macmillan partnership to directly help people with a cancer diagnosis.

With your expert specialist knowledge and experience in the Welfare Benefits advice area you’ll be able to apply this within the cancer community at a crucial time for these individuals to meet their needs as a Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor and join us in a 3 Year Fixed Term Contract.

You'll need to be available to attend a Cardiff Assessment Centre week commencing 20th April for a 1st June start date.

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Role Details

This is a first line, important and meaningful holistic information and advice-giving role for an experienced Welfare Benefits Advisor. It’s about using information you collect to provide immediate welfare benefits advice and guidance, and/or refer, escalate and signpost seamlessly to other colleagues and services according to client needs.

It’s a rewarding welfare benefits job working with people with a cancer diagnosis. It’s one where you’ll make an immediate difference through your practical and sound advice, existing customer service skills and knowledge and experience in the welfare benefits area.

The role is primarily home based with Cardiff Head Office working welcome. You’ll need to be flexible to commute to Cardiff as required with a higher concentration of days during your induction and probation period for training and team interaction on at least a monthly basis.

Working as part of a Financial Health and Wellbeing service, you’ll be making a first line assessment to determine urgency and priority for new client referrals gathering key financial and health information. Your work is mainly done over the phone but may also be in person or digitally where you’ll be advising and making decisions on next actions including giving advice to complete your cases, referring on or escalating the most complex cases.

Service referrals may come from cancer medical professionals or self-referrals from cancer patients. What’s important is you understand the whole picture and gather the right level of financial health information to give appropriate financial benefits advice and signpost to other services from the start of the relationship, so all potential cancer support opportunities are handled professionally.

Our service user experience is key, you’ll make sure the way you work is professional and personable and quality. You’ll be supporting and advising your own caseload of clients with a chronic cancer condition or a life-limiting cancer prognosis so knowledge of working with people with disabilities, people too ill to work or in a distressing situation is something you can comfortably manage in a targeted environment.  

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Fit

We’re looking for a team player who is experienced in this type of benefits advice field. You can comfortably manage a busy caseload, glean key information and tailor your communication style in a common sense and logical approach. It’s not just in doing the nuts and bolts of the job but how you go about it that matters just as much.

Making a difference for people affected by cancer is at the heart of what we do. Our values are our guiding principles in how we go about doing that in the way we think, go about work and interact with people and across teams.

Solution solving with a collaborative and open mind, being inclusive and super supportive and team focused means you’ll fit in well. You work in a way that can adapt to dealing with curve balls and know when to ask for help all whilst keeping on top of the day to day focus on what’s important to achieve our shared goals.

If you’re an adaptable and motivated person who’s proud to deliver quality work, has a people focused attitude and is excited to be part of our work we’d love to hear from you.

The Tenovus Macmillan Welfare Benefits First Contact Advisor Skills

We’d love to see your application demonstrating how your skills or experience match the job role essentials and understand your motivation behind your application and what you’d bring to the team.

To be great in this role you’re skilled with:

• The expert Welfare Benefits advice knowledge & customer service capabilities -you confidently know and can explain your stuff and help others well taking on feedback
• Producing well managed and quality work on time – you’re careful and double check your work, manage your own time independently and are results focused to get a job done well within a deadline
• A flexible approach to working – your attitude’s good when there’s pressure to deliver and you adapt to the flow of work recognising where you need to change your focus
• Being collaborative, team and people focused – you know how to deliver great customer service. You work well with your colleagues to help them, listen to others’ ideas and put forward your own ones and demonstrate how you treat customers, so they feel valued
• Solution solving – you’ve a positive and resilient attitude looking for the best options in any situation or challenge things appropriately when coming up with a new idea or have a suggestion

At Tenovus Cancer Care we’re guided in all that we do by our core values. These are: Collaborative, Integrity, Innovative, Respectful and Inclusive. We’re dedicated to making our workplace diverse and inclusive where everyone feels they belong and can be their authentic selves at work. This means that whatever your background you’ll have an equal opportunity with us.

With our commitment to safeguarding the successful candidate’s role is eligible for an enhanced DBS check (Adults)

Applying is easy, just click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the page and follow the online process. If you’d like any help with your application or to discuss any adjustments you may need please contact our People Team.

Are you passionate about creating meaningful volunteer experiences and strengthening how volunteers are supported and managed? ​

Do you enjoy supporting and developing volunteer leaders, helping them build confidence in leading volunteers and supporting strong volunteer relationships?​

Are you able to use volunteer feedback, insight, data and best practice to develop innovative approaches that improve volunteer retention, engagement and support, helping shape the future of volunteering at Samaritans?

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Samaritans is looking for a dedicated Volunteer Experience Advisor to join our dynamic team and help shape the future of volunteering across our network. Our incredible volunteers run more than 200 branches and locations across the UK and Ireland. They offer their time to help to deliver our 24-hour emotional support service to callers in many ways, from answering telephones and emails, to fundraising, generating publicity, administration and finance.

​

About the Role

Our Volunteer Experience Team support over 20,000 volunteers and no two days are the same. You’ll be responsible for supporting our network of volunteers and volunteer leaders in engaging and managing volunteers, as well as involved in a variety of creative new projects helping us to provide a positive and rewarding experience for anyone that gives their time to Samaritans.

You’ll play a key advisory, analytical and development focused role, supporting volunteers and volunteer leaders on all volunteer management matters, including sensitive and sometimes complex situations. You’ll also deliver impactful initiatives and projects that strengthen and enhance the volunteer experience, helping shape the ongoing development of Samaritans’ volunteer management and support practices.

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About the Role

Our Volunteer Experience Team support over 20,000 volunteers and no two days are the same. You’ll be responsible for supporting our network of volunteers and volunteer leaders in engaging and managing volunteers, as well as involved in a variety of creative new projects helping us to provide a positive and rewarding experience for anyone that gives their time to Samaritans.

You’ll play a key advisory, analytical and development focused role, supporting volunteers and volunteer leaders on all volunteer management matters, including sensitive and sometimes complex situations. You’ll also deliver impactful initiatives and projects that strengthen and enhance the volunteer experience, helping shape the ongoing development of Samaritans’ volunteer management and support practices.​

Contract terms

• £30,000 - £35,000 per annum

• Permanent

• Full time (35 hours per week)

• Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month.
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
   

What you’ll be doing

• Providing expert advice and guidance to branches and regions on all volunteer management matters.
• Analysing complex or sensitive situations to identify key issues, risks, and appropriate courses of action.
• Developing and delivering initiatives and projects that strengthen and enhance the volunteer experience at Samaritans.
• Drafting clear, well-structured and professional written communications, including reports and formal correspondence.
• Supporting learning, training and resources that build confidence and capability in Volunteer Leaders.
• Contributing to the development and refinement of volunteer policies, processes and guidance.
• Supporting the fair, balanced and proportionate handling and effective resolution of volunteer concerns and complaints
• Identifying themes, risks, and organisational learning opportunities to inform continuous improvement.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.

​You’ll ideally bring:

• Experience working with or supporting volunteer, or advising on people related matters.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex and sensitive situations, producing analysis and meaningful conclusions.
• The ability to exercise sound judgement and take a balanced, proportionate approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management experience, including the development and delivery or improvement focused initiatives.
• A proactive, solutions focused and improvement-oriented mindset
• Knowledge of principles of natural justice and complaints management, and effective people resolution good practice.
• Experience of providing advice, training or support on volunteering matters.
• Experience and understanding of navigating organisational risk and safeguarding related volunteer matters .
• Report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in prioritising workloads and working to deadlines with speed and accuracy.

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Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure. You can also visit our careers website to access this.

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. 

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Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to some answer short application questions and to upload your CV.

​Applications close: Thursday 16th April @ 09:00am

Interviews: w/c 27th April

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At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.

Senior Caseworker – Pathways

Location: Disability Action & Advice Centre, 4, Waldegrave Road, Teddington TW11 8HT

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary: £30,000 to £36,000 (depending on experience)

Ruils is run by, and for, Disabled people. We exist to remove the barriers that prevent Disabled people from living independent lives. Our vision is a society where all individuals have choice and control to live independently. We provide information, advice, advocacy, befriending and activities to our clients and their families.

Pathways is a specialised welfare advice service that provides information, advice, advocacy and representation for Disabled adults (over the age of 18) living in the Richmond Borough. We work with clients, supporting them to navigate the complex Housing, Benefits and Social Care systems. In this role, you would be providing information, guidance and advice to Disabled people and their families, enabling them to have more choice and control over their lives.

We are also part of a larger network of Disabled-led advice services. Working together, we have developed pathways for Disabled trainee case workers, collated data on Housing and Benefits issues and have fed into important consultations and campaigns.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity for you to work one-to-one with clients to effect change, whilst also having a positive impact on the wider system.

We are looking for someone who:

• Will bring experience of supporting people with complex welfare, housing or social care issues.
• Is confident advocating on behalf of clients when needed.
• Has an understanding of the welfare benefits system, disability rights and the Social Model of Disability.
• Can break down complex information so it feels clear and manageable.
• Works in a calm, methodical way, keeping accurate records.
• Is compassionate, patient and values-driven.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide timely and accurate advice on welfare benefits, housing and social care to support Disabled people to live independently.
• Analyse clients’ situations, identify solutions and guide them through complex systems, signposting where appropriate.
• Work with clients on a short to medium term basis, helping with referrals, forms, letters, appeals and navigating processes.
• Support clients to gather evidence and prepare for Benefit or Housing applications and appeals, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Attend key meetings and appeals with clients, advocating for them and helping them put their case forward confidently.
• Develop accessible information resources (guides, bulletins) to help clients navigate health, care, benefits and housing systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, contributing to forums, campaigns and shared problem-solving.
• Provide supervision and support to trainee caseworkers, including induction, case file reviews and contributing to their development.

What we can offer you:

• A vibrant and interesting work environment – every day is different.
• An experienced and supportive leadership team.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working.
• Kind and caring colleagues who work as a team.
• A cycle to work scheme.
• An employee assistance programme (EAP).

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme. We will guarantee an interview to all Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

A full Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below. To apply, please visit our recruitment page via the ‘Apply’ button

Closing date: 17 April 2026.

Interviews: 19 May 2026 (face-to-face).

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most 

At Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow, we believe that childhood can’t wait. We’re a vibrant, community-rooted charity supporting families through the critical early years of parenting. Our volunteers and staff work side-by-side with families, offering emotional and practical support, building confidence, and creating lasting connections. 

We are now seeking an Impact and Operations Manager to join our passionate team and shape the future of our services. 

About the Role 

This is a unique opportunity to lead our impact and operations strategy, ensuring we have the insight, tools, and systems to deliver high-quality support to families. You’ll play a pivotal role in measuring and communicating our impact, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage data collection, evaluation, and reporting across all family support services 

• Develop tailored reports and insights for internal and external stakeholders 

• Collaborate on funding applications with the CEO and Head of Marketing & Fundraising 

• Oversee administrative systems and policies, including GDPR compliance and HR processes 

• Manage office operations, including tech support, premises, and general administration, and line manage operations and data & impact team 

• Contribute to strategic planning and service innovation using data and insight 

• Strengthen our presence across local and national networks in partnership with the Senior Management Team 

What You’ll Bring 

• Strong experience in managing and interpreting data to drive impact and inform strategy 

• Strategic thinking with the ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results 

• Confidence with technology and quick ability to learn new tools and systems 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships 

• A curious, analytical mindset and a passion for telling the story of our work 

Why Join Us? 

• A flexible, hybrid working model co-designed with our team 

• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven culture 

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of local families 

• Excellent pension and generous annual leave 

There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our third Priority Areas initiative in North-West England. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.

The remaining hours in the role will be as a Primary Science Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.

A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Primary Science Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.

Team Leader - Carer Peer Support (Adult Mental Health)

£34,101 FTE, pro rata 28 hours per week, great benefits!

We are looking for someone to join our local, independent Carer-led charity, someone who has their own personal story of caring, able to use that lived experience as well as their professional skills and knowledge to help others. The postholder will collaborate extensively with our funding partner, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, as well as other charity delivery partners to improve the identification of, and support for, unpaid family and friend Carers of adults with mental health needs. The work may also involve identifying children and young people in caring roles and brokering access to our Young Carers Support team.

As well as leading a small, part-time team of Carer Peer Support Workers, you will work alongside them, providing front-line, individual and group dedicated support (practical, social and clinical interventions). As well as coordinating services to assist Carers with their own wellbeing needs, you will enable Carers to provide well-informed care for their friends and family. You also will be our representative for the MH Trusts’ Triangle of Care Steering Group.