Carers support and development worker jobs

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.

Purpose of the role: 

• To facilitate introductory training workshops for kinship carers across England, as part of the national training team, through an annual programme of Kinship roadshows and in-person and online workshops.
• To contribute to the continual development and improvement of the Kinship training programme by developing new content and refining existing materials in line with insight, data, and feedback from kinship carers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Co-facilitate professional, high-quality training to kinship carers in England.

• Experience managing challenging or sensitive situations during training while maintaining clear boundaries, using Kinship's safeguarding framework where necessary.

• Ensure training is accessible, inclusive, and adapted to meet the diverse needs of participants.

• Meet training KPIs, including participants reporting they feel better supported (90%) and have increased understanding of the subject (80%).

• Contribute to the continuous development of training resources using insights, data, and feedback from kinship carers.

• Maintain a consistent and engaging approach across all training experiences.

• Use Salesforce effectively as the case management system to support training delivery, learning, and evaluation.

• Demonstrate confident and frictionless use of Zoom, including breakout rooms and interactive tools, to deliver engaging online training sessions.

• Actively support and contribute to a high-performing, inclusive, and supportive team environment.

Essential knowledge, abilities, skills and experience includes:

• Substantial experience delivering engaging online and in-person training and workshops for diverse audiences.

• Proven experience in professional facilitation using a range of techniques to engage participants.

• Demonstrable expertise using Zoom (including breakout rooms and tools) and PowerPoint to deliver high-quality training.

• Experience managing challenging or sensitive situations during training while maintaining clear boundaries.

• Proven ability to deliver training that achieves measurable impact and learning outcomes.

• Demonstrated use of a non-judgemental approach reflected in both language and behaviour.

• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills with high attention to detail.

• Ability to collaborate effectively and work innovatively to achieve positive outcomes for kinship carers.

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Key dates:

• Application deadline:      9am on Wednesday 15 April 2026
• First interview: w/c 20 April 2026 (online, 20-minute training presentation)
• Second interview:          w/c 27 April 2026 (online, panel interview)

Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!

How to apply

Please apply via CharityJob by attaching your CV and a covering letter, and responding to the following four questions (max 250 words per answe): 

1. With reference to the job description, describe how your experience and values are a good fit for this role at Kinship?
2. Tell us about your experience delivering training workshops to diverse audiences.
3. Co-facilitation is an important aspect of delivering engaging and effective workshops, both online and in person. Can you describe your understanding of co-facilitation and outline the key components that make it successful? 
4. Describe three things which are key to delivering an engaging and high-quality online training session.

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: Kinship Community & Family Support Worker

RESPONSIBLE TO: Kinship Services Manager

HOURS OF WORK Part-time 28hours (evening and weekend work will be required)

LOCATION: Hybrid – in person community delivery, with requirements to attend office base in Edinburgh/East Lothian, and home working possible

SALARY / GRADE: Fixed term 24 months (with potential for extension, funding allowing)

Grade 4 / £28,615 per annum fte – pro-rata

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

•Kinship Services Manager

•Adoption UK Scotland and Kinship service colleagues

•The Adoption and Kinship Community in Scotland

•Local Authorities and external commissioners

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

·To support the community work of Adoption UK Scotland and their kinship services, to provide professionals, parents/carers, children, and young people access to information, resources, and services for kinship communities and to engage with families in their local communities.

·To offer a front-line service, primarily to kinship families based in the East Lothian Community, by supporting delivery and administration for activities and events, including regular support groups delivery, youth and family events. Support of events in other areas in Scotland based on resources and availability.

·To hold and manage kinship care family cases, providing direct family support within service guidelines and delivery model.

·Support planning, organisation of, and attendance at, in person and online events through funded projects and services to bring together kinship families and individuals, enable peer support, build a sense of community and promote an active and supportive Community Network.

·To respond to enquiries received via the Information and Support Service and relevant email inboxes with relevant information and/or signposting.

·To be part of the wider kinship service team within Adoption UK Scotland, working across teams and services.

·Work collaboratively with colleagues across all services areas of Adoption UK

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·Working alongside service leads within the kinship teams, and with the wider community team members to plan and deliver specific events and activities for East Lothian Council Kinship community members, and kinship families in wider areas where resources and availability allows.

·Provide administrative coordination for community groups, including collating event materials, gathering feedback and evaluations for reporting purposes, supporting delivery of events, maintaining records using existing required systems, and responding to enquiries via our Information and Support line and relevant email inboxes.

·To facilitate referral meetings with new kinship carers accessing the East Lothian Kinship Support Service, including initial assessment of need to identify suitable support and signposting requirements

·To hold responsibility for administrative requirements relating to referrals and cases within the East Lothian Kinship Support Service, including setting up new cases and recording service delivery interactions, using existing Adoption UK systems and processes

·To work with colleagues in the Foundations for Families kinship support service to support delivery where time and resources allow, and coordinate activities between services where appropriate.

·To report to line manager and directors in Adoption UK Scotland relating to service delivery, including contributing to monitoring and reporting on activities.

·To work alongside Adoption UK colleagues to develop and improve resources and services for kinship carers

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the kinship legislation system, issues and challenges faced by kinship individuals. (Essential)
• Experience of engagement and direct work with families (Essential)
• Experience of facilitation of in person and online groups (or commitment to learn) and commitment to digital safeguarding (Essential)

Qualifications and Education

• Relevant degree or qualification (e.g. community work, social sciences) or equivalent experience (Essential)

Skills and abilities

• Report writing and record keeping (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• Ability to build and maintain relationships (Essential)
• The ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) (Essential)

Accountability

• Liaise with colleagues to share updates and information
• Report to supervisor and relevant managers and external commissioners on activities

Behaviours

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
• Follows all policies and procedures relating to risk assessments, safeguarding and youth service delivery
• Contributes to an open and honest culture
• Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.
• Leads by example.
• Offers outstanding service to members.
• Promotes cross functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge
• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
• Valuing the opinion of other. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.
• Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives

• Act as first point of contact for any requests for information and support from the public or professionals (drop-in, appointment, phone, email), triaging more complex requests appropriately.

• Manage professional and self-referrals to the service and triage appropriately, including to internal colleagues and services and partner agencies, ensuring people referred receive timely and coordinated, information and support.

• Meet with or provide digital or telephone support to people using the service (patients/clients, carers, relatives, professionals), providing high quality information and support within defined level of competence in relation to cancer. This will include assessment of service users’ information and support needs (Holistic Needs Assessment/Cancer Care Review), provision of written or verbal information, supportive listening and action planning to facilitate self-management.

• Act as single point of contact for any on-going support services liaising with the individual being supported and any professionals and agencies involved in their care.

• Work proactivity with primary and secondary care and voluntary sector partners to promote Weston Park Cancer Charity and build awareness of the support available for people living with and beyond cancer

The job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties required of the postholder. 

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.

About You:

You are a reliable, compassionate and calm individual who is committed to supporting vulnerable people. You are able to work independently during night shifts while remaining a supportive member of the wider team.

You communicate well, build positive relationships with residents and colleagues, and handle challenging situations in a professional and respectful manner. You are organised, attentive to detail and comfortable completing records, handovers and routine checks.

Most importantly, you are motivated to create a safe, welcoming environment and to support residents in developing confidence and independent living skills.

Main Purpose Of The Job:

This role is responsible for delivering a safe and supportive service to all residents living at O’Hanlon House during the night. The post holder needs to work alongside the day and night teams to ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire Policies and Procedures.

Main Areas Of Responsibility:

• Ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.

• To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including nights and weekends. Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.

• Maintain a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

• To support and encourage clients to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.

• To assess and manage risk for individuals and in the service, making use of emergency services as required.

• Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with the charity’s policies and procedures.

• Comply with the charity’s health and safety standards.

• Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

• Actively ensure security of the building through regular checks and monitoring of CCTV system.

• To carry out designated cleaning and laundry duties (and any other housekeeping tasks).

• To participate in handovers at the beginning and end of shifts, ensuring that information is properly recorded and passed on where appropriate and relevant and in a timely fashion.

• Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.

• Ensure clients are aware of and support them to maximise their opportunity to be involved in Client Participation.

• To participate in the induction of and support new team members.

• To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.

• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required, and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this position.

• To ensure that Homeless Oxfordshire’s Equal Opportunities Policies are complied promoted in carrying out duties of the post.

About Us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

Open To: People wanting to work weekends. This role is a shift and rota'd role that includes weekends, bank holidays, early and late days.

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate .

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

Barnardo's is seeking a committed and skilled Supervising Social Worker to join our Midlands Fostering Families service which also covers the South East of England. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a supportive and passionate team dedicated to providing high‑quality support to foster carers and achieving the best outcomes for children.

As a Supervising Social Worker, you will support, supervise, and develop a caseload of foster carers, ensuring safe, child‑centred, and high‑quality fostering practice.

Your caseload will be predominantly based in the South East, and you will work closely with foster families, children, colleagues, and partner agencies.

This is a home-based role, however on occasions you may be required to travel to our  Halesowen office to attend team meetings, support service delivery, and engage in collaborative practice.

Your role will include the following: 

• Provide supervision, support, and guidance to foster carers in line with regulatory and Barnardo's standards.
• Undertake visits, assessments, and reviews to ensure safe, effective, and child‑led foster homes.
• Work directly with children and young people to understand their lived experiences and support positive outcomes.
• Contribute to the recruitment, training, and development of foster carers.
• Work in partnership with local authorities, health, education, and other agencies.
• Ensure robust safeguarding practice and respond effectively to any concerns.
• Maintain accurate and timely records and contribute to audits, quality assurance, and service planning.

 Additional Information:

Please include as much relevant detail in your application to demonstrate how you fulfil the requirements of our job role, as outlined above and in the Job Description/Personal Specification.Experience can be from previous employment, education, training, volunteering etc. 

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Our basis and values

Context

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a pioneering programme that could reshape how kinship families are supported across England.

Kinship is undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected, a Kinship Navigator programme designed to provide intensive, specialist support to kinship carers and help them navigate complex systems.

This is a multi-partner programme involving funders, independent evaluators, participating local authorities, internal delivery teams and kinship carers with lived experience.

Kinship Navigators are at the heart of delivery. You will work directly with kinship carers in the community and in their homes, providing intensive 1-to-1 support and facilitating local support groups, while working closely with local authority partners and other services.

Because the programme forms part of a pilot RCT, maintaining high-quality case records and accurate data collection is critical. Your work will contribute directly to the evidence base about what works for kinship families.

Each Navigator will support around 40 kinship carers over the delivery year, holding a caseload of approximately 20 families at any one time.

You will be part of a wider delivery team including the Programmes Manager, Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager, research colleagues and other Kinship teams, working together to ensure the programme is delivered ethically, consistently and to a high standard

About the role:

The Kinship Navigator provides intensive, time-limited support to kinship carers through the Kinship Connected programme, a structured six-month intervention designed to help kinship families stabilise placements and access the support they need.

Working directly with kinship carers, you will build trusting relationships while completing structured assessments, goal setting and reviews to help families strengthen support networks and navigate services such as children’s social care, education, health and community support.

This is a community-facing role, working directly with kinship carers in homes, community spaces and through co-location with local authority teams and partner organisations.

The role requires a combination of high-quality relational practice and disciplined case recording. As part of the pilot RCT, accurate documentation of activity, progress and outcomes is essential to ensure the programme can be evaluated and improved.

You will work closely with the Programmes Manager, delivery team, researchers and local authority partners to ensure the programme is delivered consistently, ethically and to a high standard, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in supporting kinship families from all backgrounds.

The key deadlines and information:
We have really short timescales for this role as this role is part of a research project so do apply early. 

• Closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday 5 April 2026
• Interview date (in person, location TBC): Thursday 16 April 2026

Starting in post

If you are successful at recruitment, we will need you to be available to start in role asap and ideal candidates will have less than a month's notice period. This will mean all references, contracts and DBS checks are completed. If you do apply for the role, we will ask for some of these details up front. 

We will also ask you to attend an overnight in-person residential on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April (TBC) in our London office for induction into the role. A draft agenda will look like the below.

Wednesday 29 April

• 11am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 5pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 6.30pm – dinner with team

Thursday 30 April

• 9.30am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 4pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 4pm – finish and travel home

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional and practical support to kinship carers.
• Advocating for kinship carers in meetings with professionals where appropriate.

• Establishing and facilitating a monthly support group for kinship carers in your area.

• Mapping local services and building relationships with organisations that can provide specialist support, training or activities for kinship families.

• Liaising with schools, local authorities and other professionals to coordinate support.

• Supporting kinship carers with challenges relating to the child(ren) in their kinship care.

• Signposting to relevant services, support organisations and Kinship training opportunities.

• Coordinating celebration and family events (including in Kinship Care Week).

• Supporting applications for grants for essential items or family breaks.

• Collaborate with the programme delivery team, researchers and evaluation partners, contributing insights and learning from practice to support programme improvement and evidence generation.
• Work closely with colleagues across Kinship, including Advice, Peer Support, Training, Communications and the Kinship Connected core team, to ensure joined-up support for kinship carers.
• Recognise, report, record, respond and refer safeguarding risks via our safeguarding process with the support for the safeguarding team.
• Follow and understand the organisational safeguarding policies.

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all activity, assessments, support plans, contacts and outcomes on Kinship’s CRM system (Salesforce) in line with organisational policy and programme protocols.

• Complete kinship carer needs assessments, SMART goal setting, reviews and outcome recording in accordance with the Kinship Navigator model and trial requirements.

• Follow all operational and data collection requirements of the pilot feasibility RCT, ensuring activity and outcomes are recorded consistently to support independent evaluation.

• Fully contribute to monitoring, reporting, quality assurance and learning processes, including collecting feedback and case studies that demonstrate impact.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience delivering direct support to vulnerable families or carers, including completing needs assessments and developing support plans.

• Experience providing structured one-to-one support, casework or family support over a defined period.

• Experience working directly in community settings or alongside local authority or partner organisations.

• Experience facilitating peer or support groups in community or online settings.

• Experience working with statutory, voluntary and community services, including liaising with professionals around the family.

• Experience recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Understanding of the challenges facing kinship carers and the children they care for, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when working with families.

• Awareness of how children’s social care, education, health or welfare systems affect families.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with kinship carers and professionals.

• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise work effectively and maintain clear professional boundaries.

• Excellent ability to maintain accurate case records and data using a CRM or case management system (e.g. Salesforce).

• Strong organisational and IT skills, including the ability to use digital systems for case management, communication and reporting.

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative delivery team.

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.

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Kinship Navigator (Oxfordshire) by sending a CV and answering the 5 questions below via Charity Job. The deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday 5 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.

1. Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Navigator, and how does this role align with your values and experience? 
2. Describe a time you supported a family or carer facing complex challenges. How did you assess their needs and decide what support was most important? Guidance for candidates: Please describe a real example from your work. Tell us what you did personally, the actions you took and what happened as a result.
3. Tell us about a situation where you had to work with professionals from different organisations (for example schools, social workers or community services) to support a family. Guidance: Explain how you built relationships, managed differences of opinion and ensured the family received appropriate support. 
4. Give an example of a time you had concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or their family member. What steps did you take and how did you decide what to do? Guidance: Describe your role in recognising and responding to the concern and any safeguarding processes you followed.
5. Tell us about how you have managed a caseload or multiple families at once. How did you keep accurate records and make sure important information was documented? Guidance: Please describe the systems or processes you used and why accurate recording was important.

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. 

Context

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a pioneering programme that could reshape how kinship families are supported across England.

Kinship is undertaking a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Kinship Connected, a Kinship Navigator programme designed to provide intensive, specialist support to kinship carers and help them navigate complex systems.

This is a multi-partner programme involving funders, independent evaluators, participating local authorities, internal delivery teams and kinship carers with lived experience.

Kinship Navigators are at the heart of delivery. You will work directly with kinship carers in the community and in their homes, providing intensive 1-to-1 support and facilitating local support groups, while working closely with local authority partners and other services.

Because the programme forms part of a pilot RCT, maintaining high-quality case records and accurate data collection is critical. Your work will contribute directly to the evidence base about what works for kinship families.

Each Navigator will support around 40 kinship carers over the delivery year, holding a caseload of approximately 20 families at any one time.

You will be part of a wider delivery team including the Programmes Manager, Mobilisation and Delivery Project Manager, research colleagues and other Kinship teams, working together to ensure the programme is delivered ethically, consistently and to a high standard

About the role:

The Kinship Navigator provides intensive, time-limited support to kinship carers through the Kinship Connected programme, a structured six-month intervention designed to help kinship families stabilise placements and access the support they need.

Working directly with kinship carers, you will build trusting relationships while completing structured assessments, goal setting and reviews to help families strengthen support networks and navigate services such as children’s social care, education, health and community support.

This is a community-facing role, working directly with kinship carers in homes, community spaces and through co-location with local authority teams and partner organisations.

The role requires a combination of high-quality relational practice and disciplined case recording. As part of the pilot RCT, accurate documentation of activity, progress and outcomes is essential to ensure the programme can be evaluated and improved.

You will work closely with the Programmes Manager, delivery team, researchers and local authority partners to ensure the programme is delivered consistently, ethically and to a high standard, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in supporting kinship families from all backgrounds.

The key deadlines and information:
We have really short timescales for this role as this role is part of a research project. If you are interested, please read the information below and make sure you can be available for all the dates highlighted.

• Closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday 5 April 2026
• Interview date (in London and in person): Wednesday 15 April 2026

Starting in post

If you are successful at recruitment, we will need you to be available to start in role asap; ideal candidates will have less than one month's notice period. This will mean all references, contracts and DBS checks are completed quickly. If you do apply for the role, we will ask for some of these details up front.

We will also ask you to attend an overnight in-person residential on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April (TBC) in our London office for induction into the role. A draft agenda will look like the below.

Wednesday 29 April

• 11am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 5pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 6.30pm – dinner with team

Thursday 30 April

• 9.30am – induction morning session starts
• 12.30pm – lunch
• 1.15pm – induction afternoon session starts
• 4pm - induction afternoon session finishes
• 4pm – finish and travel home

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional and practical support to kinship carers.
• Advocating for kinship carers in meetings with professionals where appropriate.

• Establishing and facilitating a monthly support group for kinship carers in your area.

• Mapping local services and building relationships with organisations that can provide specialist support, training or activities for kinship families.

• Liaising with schools, local authorities and other professionals to coordinate support.

• Supporting kinship carers with challenges relating to the child(ren) in their kinship care.

• Signposting to relevant services, support organisations and Kinship training opportunities.

• Coordinating celebration and family events (including in Kinship Care Week).

• Supporting applications for grants for essential items or family breaks.

• Collaborate with the programme delivery team, researchers and evaluation partners, contributing insights and learning from practice to support programme improvement and evidence generation.
• Work closely with colleagues across Kinship, including Advice, Peer Support, Training, Communications and the Kinship Connected core team, to ensure joined-up support for kinship carers.
• Recognise, report, record, respond and refer safeguarding risks via our safeguarding process with the support for the safeguarding team.
• Follow and understand the organisational safeguarding policies.

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all activity, assessments, support plans, contacts and outcomes on Kinship’s CRM system (Salesforce) in line with organisational policy and programme protocols.

• Complete kinship carer needs assessments, SMART goal setting, reviews and outcome recording in accordance with the Kinship Navigator model and trial requirements.

• Follow all operational and data collection requirements of the pilot feasibility RCT, ensuring activity and outcomes are recorded consistently to support independent evaluation.

• Fully contribute to monitoring, reporting, quality assurance and learning processes, including collecting feedback and case studies that demonstrate impact.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience delivering direct support to vulnerable families or carers, including completing needs assessments and developing support plans.

• Experience providing structured one-to-one support, casework or family support over a defined period.

• Experience working directly in community settings or alongside local authority or partner organisations.

• Experience facilitating peer or support groups in community or online settings.

• Experience working with statutory, voluntary and community services, including liaising with professionals around the family.

• Experience recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

• Understanding of the challenges facing kinship carers and the children they care for, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches when working with families.

• Awareness of how children’s social care, education, health or welfare systems affect families.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with kinship carers and professionals.

• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise work effectively and maintain clear professional boundaries.

• Excellent ability to maintain accurate case records and data using a CRM or case management system (e.g. Salesforce).

• Strong organisational and IT skills, including the ability to use digital systems for case management, communication and reporting.

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative delivery team.

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.

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Kinship Navigator (Newham) by sending a CV and answering the 5 questions below via Charity Job. The deadline is 11.59pm on Monday 5 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.

1. Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Navigator, and how does this role align with your values and experience? 
2. Describe a time you supported a family or carer facing complex challenges. How did you assess their needs and decide what support was most important? Guidance for candidates: Please describe a real example from your work. Tell us what you did personally, the actions you took and what happened as a result.
3. Tell us about a situation where you had to work with professionals from different organisations (for example schools, social workers or community services) to support a family. Guidance: Explain how you built relationships, managed differences of opinion and ensured the family received appropriate support. 
4. Give an example of a time you had concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or their family member. What steps did you take and how did you decide what to do? Guidance: Describe your role in recognising and responding to the concern and any safeguarding processes you followed.
5. Tell us about how you have managed a caseload or multiple families at once. How did you keep accurate records and make sure important information was documented? Guidance: Please describe the systems or processes you used and why accurate recording was important.

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 description

Purpose:

1. To assist in the planning and delivery of individual educational programmes designed to meet the social, learning and developmental needs of each young person.

2. To work with the First Start Manager as a member of a team.

3. To support young people with disabilities and/or on the autism spectrum to access the local community, services, events, education and training.

4. To support young people on the autism spectrum, with associated learning and or physical disabilities to access their own individualised programmes.

5. Support Worker / Drivers - To drive the service members accessing the First Start Service to and from the service premises and to other destinations as required.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

1. To assist in organising and providing a range of stimulating, challenging and interesting educational activities that are relevant to the needs of the individual, meeting their educational, social and developmental needs.

2. To actively participate in the delivery of a high-quality service that adheres to the Tower Project’s policies and procedures.

3. To ensure the service is delivered in consultation and partnership with Service members, Parents/ Carers, Colleges/ Schools and other relevant parties.

4. To provide and/ or receive support, advice and training as appropriate.

5. Support Worker / Drivers - To ensure the safe transportation of service members to and from their required destination. 

6. Support Worker / Driver – To be responsible for documenting mini- bus mileage, vehicle check log sheets and safe handling of vehicle keys.

7. Support Worker / Driver – To be responsible for reporting any vehicle damages to First Start Service Manager. Specific

Duties:

1. To work directly with young people as required by the First Start Manager.

2. To support First Start service members from a person-centered approach, recognising, valuing and seeking to reinforce individual identity by way of responses and informed choices.

3. To assist in the maintenance of monitoring systems, e.g. registers, need to know forms.

4. To assist in identifying additional individual needs and support.

5. To attend and contribute to team meetings and to assist in the exchange of information and show cooperation when working with other staff and partner organisations.

6. To attend training events according to expressed needs and demands.

7. To be responsible for the Health & Safety, the security and the use of the First Start premises, in conjunction with the Service manager.

8. In conjunction with the First Start Manager, prepare timetables, activity plans, programme reports, monitoring data and other appropriate work according to the needs of the post.

9. To actively promote and develop inclusion and equal opportunities.

10. To liaise with and involve service members, parents/ carers and other partner agencies in the planning and delivery of the service.

11. To ensure that the guidelines & framework of relevant legislation, e.g. The Care Act 2014, Valuing People White Paper, Care Standards Act etc., are always implemented and adhered to.

12. To participate and meet regularly for supervision meetings with the First Start Manager or designated Line Manager.

13. To actively promote and develop inclusion and equal opportunities.

14. Support Worker / Drivers - To drive service members to and from the First Start premises and to other destinations as requested by the Service Manager.

15. Support Worker / Drivers - To be responsible for arranging the pickup and drop off and safe use of the minibus.

16. Support Worker / Drivers - To support First Start service members as required by the Service manager and to be available during the service’s operational hours.

17. Undertake other duties as appropriate to the nature of the Post 3

PERSON SPECIFICATION SUPPORTWORKER

Knowledge:

Knowledge and understanding of the development of young people with Autism, challenging behaviour, learning disabilities and / or physical disabilities. To demonstrate an understanding of the causes of social exclusion.

Education/ Qualifications:

An NVQ 2 in Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards such a qualification.

Essential:

Experience of working with young people with disabilities and specific learning disabilities and or Autism in a similar setting. Experience of working in an inner city multi-racial/ cultural environment.

Experience of liaising with Parents/ Carers.

Good communication skills with parents/ carers, young people and staff. Ability to work as part of a team.

Ability to work with young people who can sometimes present challenging behaviour.

To support, promote and deliver services within the Tower Project’s Equal Opportunities policy.

An NVQ 2 in Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards such a qualification.

Desirable:

Ability to assist in organising and delivery of a quality programme of activities. Basic computer skills, or a willingness to undertake training as required.

Special Conditions:

The post holder will be expected to undertake any additional training as required

The Head of Community Services Development will lead the growth and evolution of Day One’s national offer for people affected by serious and life-changing injury, while designing and implementing a new service to support individuals transitioning from Hospital to Home. The post holder should combine strategic leadership with hands on service design and development expertise, ensuring the national offer becomes the charity’s returning home service in line with the new strategy for 2026-2029. Newly designed services will deliver high-quality, compassionate support and that are well designed, evidence-based and responsive to the real world needs of people with serious and life-changing injury. Working closely with the Head of Lived Experience, to ensure lived experience insight is central to all design and implementation, and that new pathways complement Day One’s existing Peer Support model.

What You Will Bring 

To be a highly organised, outcome focussed self-starter, with excellent communication and leadership skills who is able to work in a fast-paced environment and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will be highly skilled and experienced in scoping and designing a service and seeing it through to implementation, adapting it in accordance with ongoing analysis and feedback.

How to apply 

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter to Charity Jobs outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post.

Closing date: 9am Monday 13th April 2026 

Interviews:  

First stage virtual: Monday 20th April 2026 

Second stage in-person (Leeds): Thursday 30th April 2026 

For further information, please refer to the attached recruitment pack.

At Dandelion Time, we support children facing significant emotional challenges, often, but not always, rooted in adverse childhood experiences such as domestic violence, abuse, or neglect. Our systemic, trauma‑informed approach focuses on the whole family, helping them build healthier relationships, create positive change, and move towards brighter futures.

Nature is at the heart of everything we do. Through hands‑on activities in the natural world, children and families connect with the earth, plants, animals and with each other.

About the Role 

As a Family Support Worker, you’ll play a key role in delivering our therapeutic programme. Working alongside the Therapeutic Programme Manager and Family Caseworker, you will help plan, prepare and facilitate meaningful therapeutic sessions for children and their families. This may include leading group sessions supported by Teaching Assistants or collaborating with teaching staff involved in each child’s care.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a welcoming, energetic and committed team making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. The work is deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to help families rebuild relationships and create new beginnings.

What can you bring to Dandelion Time?

To thrive in this role, you will have experience supporting disadvantaged children or those with SEND, as well as an understanding of the challenges faced by parents and carers managing their own wellbeing. Experience as a Youth Leader, Scout Leader, Forest School Leader,  or in a similar child‑centred, outdoor or community role, will be a real asset.

You’ll have a genuine passion for hands‑on, creative activities, whether that’s crafting, working with the land, or caring for animals. An interest in our land‑to‑table ethos, including the preparation and cooking of healthy, nutritious food, will help you feel right at home.

Above all, you’ll bring a warm, joyful presence to the families you support, helping to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow, explore and flourish.

Job Description

Balance is looking for a dedicated compassionateSupport Worker/Driver to join our  Day Centre in Wandsworth.

Who you are

• You are someone who shares and is able to mobilise the charities values of Independence, Empowerment, Partnership, Professionalism, Staff Recognition and Sustainability. If you have knowledge, application and commitment to these values we want to hear from you.
• You must  have a Clean Current D1 Driving License.

Who we are

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independence, fulfilled and self-confident lives.  We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. 

Main Responsibilities of the Job

• To provide support and assistance during journeyspick up and drop of duties at the commencement and end of sessions at our day centres.
• To demonstrate Balance values of partnership, independence, professionalism, empowerment, staff recognition and sustainability in your conduct and approach to your work
• Through partnership, support and develop peoples skills, confidence and interests as part of a multi-disciplinary day service offer.
• To support your colleagues, service managers and other key professionals to put those using our service at the centre of your daily work. .
• To maintain and update client and related operational records with an accurate and professional commitment.
• To ensure compliance with and the delivery of the charity policies and procedures particularly those related to safeguarding, inclusion and disability discrimination.
• To support clients with there daily activities and to promote their independence 
• To be able to communicate effectively with families , colleauges and  clients.

Working Expectations

• The working day is  8.00am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday -  The current rate reflects the additional hours 
• Drive a passenger service vehicle.
• Attendance at training. 
• Use of information technology to support your work.

Benefits of Working for us

The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:

• A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front line staff.
• A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression as part of our performance support.
• Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus an additional day off for your birthday.
• Access to a range of discount schemes.
• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
• Access to travel card loan and bike to work scheme.

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

You’ll be the main contact for the national training team providing support directly to kinship carers, training facilitators and others relating to the access and delivery of training events and workshops. 

You’ll provide professional and effective administrative and technical support to training operations, including co-ordinating logistics, publishing event details, administrating the back-end data, supplier communication, financial administration and attending in person and online events to ensure smooth delivery.

Key responsibilities:

Training event coordination

• Provide administrative support, including supplier communication, coordinating logistics and delivery of all relevant general and financial administration tasks 

• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders to coordinate and confirm event logistics for in-person and online events.

• Identify and secure appropriate organisations to exhibit as part of Roadshow marketplace events, providing in event hosting of these organisations. 

• Source and secure venues and catering that meet event requirements for all in-person training events.

• Provide administrative, practical and technical support at training events both online and in-person. 

• Act as central point for Zoom set-up, licenses and queries for team, kinship carers and external partners.

Systems and processes coordination 

• Monitor planned expenditure to ensure it is in line with event budgets. 

• Ensure invoicing and payments are accurate and processed to time. 

• Support the monitoring and reporting on training activity via our Salesforce database, including providing data reports as required. 

• Support the production, update, distribution and quality assurance of workshop materials and ensure all collateral is on brand, signed off as required. 

• Develop and maintain an asset register of all training materials and equipment, ensuring availability when and where it is needed.

• Act as website champion for the team, managing and uploading all training content (workshop and events) and ensuring online training information is kept up to date. 

• Provide support to the training team as required including to assist service improvements and supporting manualisation and documentation of all processes 

• Set up and implement effective tools and documentation to support all operational needs of the training service. 

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.

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Training and Events Officer by sending a CV and answering the questions below via Charity Job. The deadline is 23.30pm on Monday 6 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.

1. Why do you want to work with Kinship, and how do your values and experience align with our mission to support kinship carers and families?
2. Describe a recent event or training session you coordinated. Include how you managed logistics, communicated with stakeholders, and handled any challenges.
3. Provide an example of how you have used administrative systems or platforms (e.g., Salesforce, databases, online tools) to track activity, manage resources, or produce reports accurately.
4. Give an example of how you have supported a team to deliver a project or service, highlighting communication, process management, or assistance to colleagues.
5. Describe a situation where you identified a potential delivery problem and took proactive steps to resolve it. What was the outcome?

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. 

Our Purpose

Unlocking Potential is the charity that supports schools and communities to ensure no child or family struggles alone with their social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide flexible, over-time, multi-disciplinary therapeutic support that meets children and families where they are, and enables them to feel safe, understood and the best version of themselves.

Vision

Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.

Mission

Our mission is to provide tailored therapeutic support to more children, while training the practitioners of the future to build holistic, resilient social systems that equip children and their families with the confidence, tools, and skills to thrive at school and within their communities.

Values

Individual: Everything we do is about the individual and what is right for them – no two children, families or schools are the same.

Innovative: We look for new solutions, evolving our thinking and approach – ensuring the use of bold, co-designed practice.

Collaborative: We choose to work with others to find the best solutions – we are stronger together.

Overview

We launched our new programme in September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this. This service will offer flexible, relationship-based support to families facing a range of challenges, helping them navigate systems, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for children. Operating across extended hours, the service will be accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on early intervention, collaboration, and building trust with families.

The role

This is a unique opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on role within an innovative early help service working within a small, dynamic team to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and their families. As a Senior Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible,and therapeutically minded support to families often facing multiple and complex challenges, drawing on your experience to provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced colleagues. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and provide practical support—facilitating parents and carers to feel empowered to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your work will be informed by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.