Deputy team leader jobs in milton keynes

About Carers Bucks

At Carers Bucks we are committed to making a lasting and positive difference in the lives of unpaid carers across Buckinghamshire - from children as young as five, to adults supporting loved ones, through physical or mental illness, frailty, disability or addiction. We understand that caring can impact a person’s health, wellbeing and future opportunities and we are here to change that. 

Our vision is that every unpaid carer in Buckinghamshire feels recognised, respected and supported in their role – so they can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them – regardless of age, circumstance and cultural or socio-economic background.

Our team is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a positive, supportive working culture where wellbeing matters, and professional development is encouraged and celebrated. 

Our values reflect our core principles and culture. They guide how we engage with service users and how we work as a team. We are:

Kind                We understand the challenges carers face. With real compassion and empathy we are able to build confidence and resilience in both carers and colleagues. 

Inclusive        We adapt our services to meet the diverse needs of all carers, making sure they feel seen, supported and empowered in their role. 

Collaborative   We work together – with carers, partners and one another – to listen, learn and improve outcomes. 

Innovative      We are curious to find better ways to support carers. We are open to new ideas and committed to improving what we do. 

Reliable          We are informed, trustworthy and confidential. We do what we say we will - every time. 

As a trusted local charity with over 20 years’ experience, we are continually evolving to meet carer’s needs and improve access to support.  

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Team Leader for our Young Carers and Young Adult Carers team. You will play a key role in shaping and guiding the service, managing a dedicated team and overseeing day to day delivery while working with the Head of Services to deliver our strategy. Essential to the role is ensuring the service is inclusive, responsive and shaped by the voices of the young people we support. This is a hands-on, people-focused role, combining team management, safeguarding oversight, caseload guidance and partnership working. 
 

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Coordination and Planning

• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the Young Carer Service in line with agreed workplans and available resources.
• Support the Head of Services in implementing strategic priorities and translating them into clear team actions.
• Plan and organise delivery schedules, ensuring one to one work, groups, clubs and school sessions are appropriately staffed and resourced.
• Manage delegated budgets and approve individual expenses in line with organisational procedures.
• Contribute to service planning and improvement by sharing insights from young carers, families and frontline delivery.

2. Service Delivery and Quality

• Oversee the daily flow of referrals, assessments and casework, ensuring timely allocation and consistent quality standards. Provide guidance to the team with their individual caseloads. 
• Coordinate and monitor the delivery of group sessions, clubs and school-based activities to ensure they are safe, engaging and age-appropriate.
• Ensure there is adequate staff and volunteer cover to enable the schedule of sessions and activities.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate information for families, schools and professionals, including content for the website and promotional materials.
• Support effective volunteer participation in groups, events and activities, working with the Volunteer Manager to ensure volunteers are appropriately trained, supervised and valued.

3. People and Team Development

• Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and coaching to staff, ensuring they are supported, motivated and clear about priorities.
• Support the Head of Services with team meetings, supervision and annual appraisals.
• Ensure all team members are trained and equipped to the required standard, identifying learning needs and coordinating relevant development opportunities.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and supportive working environment, addressing interpersonal issues promptly and constructively. 

4. Safeguarding and Inclusion

• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), receiving, responding to and recording safeguarding concerns and escalating to the DSL (Head of Services) in a timely manner.
• Ensure robust safeguarding practices are embedded across all delivery settings, including schools and community venues.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring activities are accessible, inclusive and representative of Buckinghamshire’s diverse communities.

5. Partnerships and Representation

• Maintain day-to-day relationships with schools, youth organisations, community groups and VCSE partners to coordinate delivery and share information.
• Represent Carers Bucks at local forums, events and school-based meetings as agreed with the Head of Services.
• Promote awareness of young carers and young adult carers and the support available through Carers Bucks, sharing information and good practice with partner organisations.
• Provide feedback from schools, young and young adult carers and community partners to inform service improvement and planning.

6. Performance, Data and Reporting

• Record and monitor service data accurately, ensuring compliance with GDPR and organisational procedures.
• Track team performance against agreed objectives and highlight areas requiring support or improvement.
• Analyse data and feedback to identify trends and contribute to quarterly and annual reports.
• Provide case studies and operational insights to evidence impact and support funding and reporting requirements.

About you

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of supervising or leading a team.
• Background in youth work, education, social care or the voluntary sector.
• Experience of working directly with young people and/or unpaid carers.
• Experience of partnership working with schools, community organisations or health and social care professionals.
• Experience of handling safeguarding concerns and maintaining appropriate records.
• Experience of report writing, record keeping and using client databases or CRM systems.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Strong understanding of young people’s development.
• Robust knowledge of safeguarding principles for both children and adults.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and how to embed these in practice.
• Awareness of the issues affecting young carers and their support needs.
• Awareness of local services and support available for young people and families in Buckinghamshire.
• Understanding of how compassion, collaboration and reliability build trust and improve outcomes for carers. 

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, adaptable across audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.
• Ability to support, motivate and develop a small team through encouragement and shared learning.
• Confident in analysing information and using data to support service improvement. 
• Competent IT user with experience of standard office packages and electronic record systems.

Personal Attributes

• Empathic, approachable and emotionally intelligent, with genuine respect for others.
• Inclusive and open-minded, valuing different perspectives and experiences.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a positive and flexible approach.
• Calm under pressure, able to use initiative and make sound judgements.
• Team-oriented and collaborative, sharing information and celebrating success with others.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of Carers Bucks.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work across Buckinghamshire.

Why join us?
We have recently published our one-year strategy, guiding us through the next phase of our development -  ensuring our services are embedded with partners in the community and strengthening the way we work both with our adult team and with volunteers.

By becoming part of our team, you will:

• Play a key role in shaping our future: You will help shape and guide the Young Carer and Young Adult Carer Service, working with the Head of Services, and based on the needs of young people.
• Make a lasting impact: Your work will directly support unpaid Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, helping to reduce isolation, promote wellbeing and improve access to support.
• Be part of a supportive, passionate team: You will collaborate with dedicated colleagues who are committed to making a difference and supporting one another.
• Access opportunities for growth: We will support your professional development with training, learning opportunities, and the chance to shape a growing area of work.
• Enjoy flexibility and balance: We offer flexible working arrangements.

If you are seeking a role where your contributions are recognised, your work drives real impact and you can help shape something meaningful, we would love to connect with you.

Employee Benefits Include:

·       25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays (increases with length of service)

·       3x Christmas Closure Days

·       Up to 5 days paid Carers Leave

·       Regular training and development opportunities

Equal Opportunities

We want our services to be representative of the community we serve. We are proud of the diversity within Buckinghamshire and particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

How to apply
Please submit a CV and covering letter via our online portal.  Successful candidates may be invited to a first interview before the closing date.
 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. If you require any adjustments to the interview process or would like to discuss your access needs in advance, please let us know by emailing us (email address available on our online portal) - we will do our best to accommodate you.