Education support worker 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, motivated and highly organised Support Worker to join our dedicated Young Carers Service team. Our team of support workers focus on supporting young carers throughout their caring journey, ensuring they feel understood, valued and empowered whilst also providing the opportunities and practical support the young people need to thrive and continue their caring role.

As a Support Worker you will be responsible for assessing the needs of young carers and ensuring they receive appropriate support through Carers Bucks services or other local agencies. The role includes engaging in one-to-one support, delivering targeted group sessions and facilitating clubs and activities. Support Workers will identify and engage young carers through partnerships with schools, health and social care and VCSE communities. 

Your role will be a mixture of working in the community, from home and in our Aylesbury office. Your principal geographic area will be South Bucks. 

Key Responsibilities These include but are not limited to:
1.     Operational Coordination and Planning
·       Receive referrals and undertake YC assessments in your geographical area. Allocate young people to the appropriate level of support they require to fulfil their caring role.
·       Provide planned and time limited one to one support for carers with clear outcomes, using tools such as ‘my life now’ to measure impact of support.
 

2. Service Delivery and Quality
·       Deliver group programmes in response to the needs in your local geographical area, whilst working to available resources.
·       Work with staff and volunteers to deliver regular clubs and activities which provide young carers with the opportunity to have time away from their caring role. 
 

 3. People and Team Development
·       Build a strong relationship with young carers and families in your geographical area and work with the Young Adult Carer Support worker to transition them through services.
·       Work effectively as part of a high performing team to ensure that needs of carers are met. 
 

4. Safeguarding and Inclusion
·       Have a strong understanding of how to receive, respond to and record safeguarding concerns and escalate to a line manager in a timely manner.
·       Demonstrate a strong commitment to implementing and upholding Carers Bucks’ safeguarding policy in everyday practice.

5.     Partnerships and Representation
·       Provide support to schools in a geographical area to run young carers groups, targeted support sessions or drop in’s. 
·       Collaborate with the Adult Carers team and partner organisations to further support carers and make referrals to appropriate services accordingly.
 

6. Performance, Data and Reporting
·       Maintain accurate and up to date records on all aspects of work carried out for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
·       Produce case study summaries to evidence the impact and outcomes of work, in line with requests from the line manager.

About you

Qualifications and Experience

·       Background in youth work, education, social care or the voluntary sector. 
·       Experience of working directly with young people and/or unpaid carers.
·       Experience providing information, advice and guidance to young people and their families.
 

Knowledge and Understanding
·       Strong understanding of young people’s development and the challenges faced by young carers.
·       Strong understanding of safeguarding principles and demonstrated experience in implementing effective safeguarding practices to protect individuals. 
·       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.
• Competent IT user with experience of standard office packages and electronic record systems.
•  

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to the values and ethos of Carers Bucks.
• Full UK driving license and access to own vehicle (travel across Bucks required.)
• Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends. Candidates will typically work Thursday evenings until 7pm (usually two times per month). TOIL will be provided for out-of-hours working.

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:

• 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
 

Diversity and Inclusion

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 will be invited to a first interview by 24th November 2025.

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. 

Benefits

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

Would you like to become a vital part of our collaborative and innovative team to make a lasting difference to families?

We are looking for a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker to join our team, based from either Milton Keynes or London.

We believe that every child deserves a loving and supportive home. We are committed to providing the highest quality services to help make that a reality, and we are proud of our three successive outstanding ratings with Ofsted.

Position: Social Worker or Senior Social Worker

Location: Based in either our Milton Keynes or our London team, with hybrid working arrangements in place for both home and office working, and travel covering Milton Keynes, North London and surrounding areas.

Contract: Permanent full time – 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary Ranges: Social Worker - Salary in the range of £34,053 - £41,620 per annum. Senior Social Worker - Salary in the range of £39,292 - £48,022 per annum.  If based from our London office, a location allowance of £3,299 per annum will be payable.

About the role:

Our Social Worker/Senior Social Worker’s role is a pivotal one within our Adoption service.  Some of your responsibilities will include:

· undertaking ‘home study’ assessments (PARs) and present these to the adoption panel

· support families throughout the matching process and once children are placed, up until the Adoption Order

· participating in recruitment activities and training for prospective adopters

About you:

As a Social Worker, you’ll bring a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in childcare social work and as a Senior Social Worker, a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience. You’ll have an understanding of child development and the impact on behaviour of interrupted development. You’ll have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, equity and inclusion within service delivery.

If this sounds like you then visit our website to apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please visit our website for contact details for our Adoption Team Manager.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 25 November 2025

Interviews will be held on: Thursday 04 December and Thursday 11 December 2025.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Senior Social Worker, Adoption Support Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, Fostering Social Worker, Independent Reviewing Officer, Supervising Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Child Protection or Safeguarding Hub Social Worker, Looked After Children’s Social Worker, etc. 

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.

Based within the Community Mental Health Team (Bedford and Biggleswade)

Ref: YTC-251 

Closing date: 20th November 2025 at 9am

Are you a compassionate, proactive and organised individual with experience of engaging young people facing complex emotional or mental health challenges? Do you have a passion for empowering young adults to build positive futures and supporting them to transition confidently into adult services?

If so, St Giles has an inspiring opportunity to join our Hospital and Health Team as a Mental Health Transition Worker, where you’ll play a vital role supporting young adults with complex emotional needs as they move from CAMHS to Adult Mental Health Services.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

We work in partnership with the East London NHS Trust to improve outcomes for young people with complex emotional needs – helping them to engage with support, develop life skills, and take meaningful steps towards education, training and employment.

About this key role

As part of our Complex Emotional Needs Team, you will deliver one-to-one, person-centred support to young adults aged 17–25, helping them to build confidence, improve engagement with services, and develop life skills for adulthood. Your work will include:

• Supporting the smooth transition of young adults from CAMHS to adult services.
• Delivering tailored one-to-one support and transition life skills sessions.
•  Advocating for young people and ensuring their voices are heard by professionals.
• Working collaboratively with NHS and community partners to achieve positive outcomes.
• Recording and monitoring outcomes in line with funder and service requirements.
• This is a hands-on, relational role, supporting young adults who may face emotional dysregulation, relational difficulties and barriers to trusting professionals.

What we are looking for

• Substantial experience of providing support, advice and advocacy.
• A proven ability to engage with young people with complex emotional or mental health needs who may be reluctant to engage with services.
• Experience of working within or alongside multi-agency teams.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and person-centred planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, record-keeping and IT skills.
• Emotional resilience, empathy, and a flexible, inclusive approach to teamwork.

Please note:  as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce with Child Barred list DBS.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

If you have any queries, or require further support, please contact us via our website. 

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Contract Type: Maternity Cover for 12 Months

Location: East Midlands with regular travel to Nottingham

Assessment Centre: 8th December in Nottingham

Picture yourself alongside our Outreach and Marketing wizards and our customer service champions. Together, we're on a mission to ensure our young people aren't just safe but also revved up and fully immersed in their journey with us here at The King's Trust.

Could you become their personal champion? Imagine peeling back the layers to discover what's holding them back so that you can unlock their potential for astonishing progress. Imagine having your own group of young people to support who will turn to you for that one-on-one support, guidance, and maybe just a nudge in the right direction.

Safety always comes first, so keeping a watchful eye on safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection is part of the deal! You’ll be the guiding force that empowers our delivery partners and service providers to reach for the stars. Together, we will ensure every young person embarks on a remarkable journey, experiencing the extraordinary and achieving the dreams they've aspired to.

You’ll lead personal development sessions that take our foundation programmes to new heights. Whether it's in person or via a virtual session on MS Teams, some of these activities will be in the great outdoors and enjoying our wonderful green spaces. You won’t be sitting behind a screen every day, there will be some travel required to relevant local areas to support the delivery of these exciting programmes as well as programme visits. However, it’s not all fun and games, keeping things on point means meticulously recording info and data about our young superstars, volunteers, or partners. It's all about making sure every step of their journey aligns perfectly with our funding contracts.

At The Trust, we're strong advocates for fostering an inclusive workplace where everybody feels seen, and it would be fantastic if you share that passion too. Your mission? Making a positive impact by implementing a local action plan that harmonises with our big-picture EDI goals.

Be prepared for anything and everything. Alongside all these exciting responsibilities, you might even find yourself wearing different hats and stepping up when needed.

Ready to bring your A-game? Let's make every day count and create a brighter future for our young people of the future!

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Youth Development Leads? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

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. This new role is part of that process. 

About the Role

In this newly created role, you will work directly with the CEO, providing oversight and direction to Team Leaders to ensure that services operate effectively and meet contractual requirements. You will be passionate about making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire, with the ability to make an impact quickly.  You’ll bring proven hands-on experience in a similar role working with a team to establish effective and innovative ways to deliver services. 
 

Main Responsibilities 

1. Strategic and Operational Leadership

·       Hold overall accountability for service performance and quality, working through the Adult, Young and Hospital Carers Team Leaders who lead day-to-day operations 

·       Ensure alignment with our strategic priorities and our commissioned outcomes.

·       Contribute as an active member of the Senior Management Team, supporting organisational strategy, planning and delivery.

·       Ensure that all carer services operate cohesively, with smooth transitions between age groups and consistent quality standards.

·       Use data and feedback to drive service improvement and innovation.

2. Service Delivery and Quality

·       Oversee the effective management of the Adult, Young, Young Adult and Hospital teams.

·       Embed a culture of high performance, reflective practice and continuous learning.

·       Ensure strong safeguarding practices are central in all services

·       Ensure systems are used consistently for case management, data recording and reporting.

·       Work with the Diverse Communities Worker and other leads to ensure services are inclusive, culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups 

·       Oversee the effective involvement of volunteers within carer services, working with the Volunteer Manager to ensure they are well-supported, trained and valued as integral members of the team.

3. People Leadership and Team Development

·       Foster collaboration and a supportive team culture built on the Carers Bucks values.

·       Line-manage and support the three Team Leads, ensuring clarity of priorities, effective supervision and professional growth.

·       Support wellbeing, resilience and a sense of shared purpose across teams.

4. Safeguarding

·       Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Carers Bucks, providing advice and guidance to staff on safeguarding issues, ensuring compliance with policy and statutory requirements, and escalating concerns appropriately.

·       Maintain oversight of all safeguarding cases across the organisation and support Team Leaders in their DDSL responsibilities.

5. Partnership and Representation

·       Provide strategic coordination across thematic leads (Diverse Communities, Hospitals, Volunteers) to ensure alignment and shared priorities across services 

·       Represent Carers Bucks strategically with partners across social care, education and health. 

·       Support the CEO in relationships with commissioners, primary and secondary care, schools and VCSE partners to enhance identification and referral of carers.

·       Champion the voice of carers of all ages through partnership boards, networks and other forums.

6. Performance, Impact and Reporting

·       Monitor performance against contract outcomes, KPIs and quality standards.

·       Work with our Data Lead to ensure accurate reporting and a strong evidence base for our work. 

·       Analyse trends and learning to inform service design and improvement.

·       Contribute to quarterly and annual reports for commissioners and trustees.

·       Provide effective feedback upwards to the CEO.

7. Organisational Contribution

·       Contribute to strategic planning, risk management and organisational development.

·       Represent Carers Bucks at events, conference and key campaigns 

·       Lead on the co-design of new approaches, including digital and preventative models.

·       Stay abreast of local and national developments in carers’ policy and practice.

·       Undertake other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.

Personal Attributes, Skills and Experience
 

Essential Experience or Qualifications

• Proven experience of operating at a similar level, leading a services team in the charity sector.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams to achieve shared goals.
• Proven ability to quickly make an impact.
• Experience of delivering training or presentations to external audiences.
• Experience of report writing and using data to inform decisions.
• Proven experience of a commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
• Experience of safeguarding principles for both adults and children and experience in applying them.
• A full UK driving licence and or access to own transport.

Desired Experience or Qualifications (not compulsory)

• Previous experience of working with carers, health and social care professionals.

Essential Skills / Knowledge 

• Strategic thinker, able to translate organisational priorities into clear operational plans.
• Confident decision-maker who can balance compassion with accountability.
• Skilled at managing change and fostering a culture of learning and improvement.
• Strong time and project management skills, able to balance competing demands.
• Excellent written, verbal and listening skills, with the ability to adapt communication to different audiences.
• Good general level of IT skills.
• Confident and persuasive when engaging with professionals across health, education, and social care.
• The ability to represent Carers Bucks positively and credibly at a senior and strategic level.
• Skilled in building and maintaining productive partnerships and networks.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and how to embed this in service design and delivery.
• Confident using data and outcomes measures to monitor impact and inform service development.
• Confident with figures. 

Desirable skill / knowledge

• Well-informed about carers’ rights, challenges and available resources.
• Awareness of developments in health, education and social care policy, and their implications for carers.

Personal Attributes

• Empathic, approachable and emotionally intelligent.
• Self-starter who is organised, proactive and solution focused.
• Calm under pressure, able to prioritise and make sound judgements.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a positive “can-do” attitude.
• Committed to the values and ethos of Carers Bucks and to supporting carers’ wellbeing.
• A willingness to actively participate in training and development opportunities.
• Ability to work flexible hours, occasional evening/weekend work as required. 

Why join us?
We have recently published our one-year strategy, guiding us through the next phase of our development. 

By joining our team, you will:

• Play a key role in shaping our future: You will support the CEO and guide the team as we enter our retender.
• Make a lasting impact: Your work will directly support unpaid Carers of all ages, enabling them to access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them.
• Be part of a supportive, passionate team. You will work with dedicated colleagues who are committed to making a difference and supporting one another.

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

Diversity and Inclusion

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 will be invited to a first interview by 24th November 2025.
 

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 can be found on application portal) - we will do our best to accommodate you.