Parent carer peer support 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.

About the role

The Research Officer supports Kinship in building a strong and coordinated evidence base about kinship families, and ensures our influencing work is grounded in real experience.

The role supports the design, delivery and communication of high-quality research, insights and evaluation that shapes policy, practice and service development. It also supports the coordination and operational delivery of research and practice activity, helping ensure projects, networks and events run effectively and that insights are shared across the organisation and the wider sector.

They will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including Policy, Programmes, Peer Support and Communications. It will ensure that research and insight are gathered and used consistently and that the experiences of kinship carers, particularly those from underserved communities, are central to our work. This role could be hybrid or remote.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design and deliver qualitative and quantitative research that improves understanding of kinship families’ needs, experiences and outcomes.

• Lead data collection through surveys, interviews, focus groups and desk research.

• Carry out analysis using suitable methods to produce accurate and meaningful insight.

• Ensure research reflects the diversity of kinship carers, including carers from ethnic minority communities, mixed heritage families, informal kinship carers and carers experiencing additional barriers.

• Maintain strong ethical standards and follow GDPR requirements.

• Developing and supporting participatory research methods with carers, children and young people.

• Support evaluation of Kinship services including peer support, training and digital programmes.

• Develop tools and approaches that help gather feedback and evidence of outcomes.

• Analyse programme data to highlight trends, gaps and opportunities.

• Provide evidence that strengthens Kinship policy positions and external influencing activity.

• Contribute data and insight to briefings, consultation responses and reports.

• Support opportunities for kinship carers to participate in research in a respectful and inclusive way.

• Manage the Kinship Professionals’ Network and the Kinship Care Researchers’ Network, working with the Practice Lead to plan and schedule meetings, coordinate agendas, record and minute meetings and share insights across the organisation. 

• Support the planning and delivery of research and practice events, from consultations to knowledge exchange events.

Essential requirements include:

• Experience completing mixed methods research including design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.

• Experience working in a research, evaluation or insight role in a charity, academic or public sector setting.

• Experience producing accessible research outputs for different audiences.

• Experience engaging with underrepresented communities and understanding barriers to participation.

• Experience of kinship care or social care research in the UK or comparable settings

• Excellent project management skills with an ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with experience of R or equivalent statistical languages.

What we offer you:

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

Key dates:

• Application deadline: 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April 2026
• First interview: w/c 27 April 2026 (online)
• Second interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (if required)

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Research Officer by sending a CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (max 1 page). The deadline is 11.59pm on Sunday 19 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.

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

We are currently offering a rewarding opportunity within our Helpline Team who are the ‘front-door’ to CSWS, providing a first point of contact for carers and professionals via our Countywide telephone and email service, online portal, and chat services. 

Carer Wellbeing Workers on the Helpline focus on registration and ‘Tier 1’ conversation model using active listening skills to identify any most pressing need before referring/signposting onwards.

You will have excellent IT skills and experience of working with adults and families, and working knowledge and / or lived experience of social care and health. You will use excellent communication and interpersonal skills to provide a professional, time-limited and informed service for carers who contact the helpline for a variety of reasons and who may be distressed or in need of safeguarding support. 

The role is mainly remote / homeworking with the expectation that you may need to travel on occasions to in-person meetings and training across the country. This role would therefore suit those located in, or close to, West Sussex.

Key Responsibilities

•  Work within a team to provide carer registration and support to carers via a variety of methods (phone, email, online chat) following the ‘Tier 1’ conversation model – addressing only the most pressing need before referring/signposting onwards, including referrals to our Community and Health Teams.

•  Supported by a Shift Manager, respond with a professional, time-limited and informed service for carers who contact the helpline for a variety of reasons and who may be distressed or in need of safeguarding support. 

•  Provide guidance to professionals outside of the organisation, answering queries about carer’s support or related areas.

•  Follow Carers Support West Sussex processes to record activities on in house database systems. Accurately record all interventions on CSWS Client Record Management System to enable timely and informative reports on the services provided.

•  Use a range of outcome-based tools to evidence your work and as a framework to support carers to create a personal plan to identify and achieve positive change. Demonstrate the impact the service has made through feedback surveys, case studies and collating general feedback.

•  Focus on outcomes for the carers, appropriately triaging and signposting them to relevant services making dynamic decisions about the suitable pathway for a carer. Work closely with colleagues to ensure carers receive timely support.

•  Provide mentoring and support to volunteers who work within the team to provide services to carers.

•  Promote the principles of Think Carer across all networks and proactively identify carers and opportunities through partnership working, outreach, community connections and networking, promoting carers as expert partners in care.

For a full list of responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description in the attached Recruitment Pack.

Employee Benefits

•  Training and Development: Opportunities for professional development and training.
•  Flexible Working: Flexible working hours and remote working options.
•  Annual Leave: 33 days increasing to 35 days after completion of two years and 36 days after 5 years of service (Inclusive of Bank Holidays).
•  Healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme with perks and discounts.
•  Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity/ Adoption Pay.
•  Supportive Environment: Work in a supportive and collaborative environment with a focus on making a positive impact on the lives of carers.

Interview Date: 11 May 2026
Please note that we may begin interviews as soon as a strong application is received, so this vacancy could close earlier than advertised if the right candidate is found.

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. 

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.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced events professional to join the Living Wage Foundation team as an Events Manager. You will be responsible for developing, delivering, and supporting the team with innovative events to promote the Living Wage movement, support the existing employer network, increase public support for fair pay and encourage Living Wage accreditation.

You will be responsible for our annual Champion Awards ceremony and organising parliamentary events, roundtables and webinars for our network of employers and beyond, as well as providing strategic oversight of events at our annual Living Wage Week in November where we celebrate Living Wage Employers nationwide with multiple events.

The ideal candidate would be an organised events manager, with strong project management skills, the ability to communicate with senior stakeholders internally and externally and the skills to establish strong relationships. They would have experience running online and in-person events with clear objectives and connecting them to organisational strategy.

This post will be joining a Communications team that spans events, media, digital communications and research, with colleagues based across the UK with monthly in-person team meetings. They will be responsible for the line management of the Events Officer. They will report to the Senior Media & Communications Manager.

Person Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

·Experience managing in-person and online events (E)

· Experience communicating effectively with senior stakeholders (E)

· Experience using project management tools. (D)

· Experience using Microsoft 365 apps including Loop and Planner (D)

· Experience of line management (D)

Key skills and knowledge

· Knowledge of risk management protocols (E)

· Project management skills, including monitoring and evaluation (E)

· Excellent attention to detail  (E)

· Ability to effectively communicate and build strong relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders (E)

· Excellent planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills, including the ability to manage competing demands and deal with unforeseen issues  (E)

· Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft 365 apps (D)

· Knowledge of marketing and communication best practice (D)

· Creative thinker and problem solver (E)

Personal qualities & values

· An interest and enthusiasm for planning events, and the mission of the Living Wage Foundation (E)

· Highly self-motivated with ability to work well independently as well as part of a team (E)

· A commitment for Diversity and Inclusion (E)

Government and Multi-Lateral Funding Advisor

Permanent, Full Time, Hybrid working (2 days per week in one of our UK offices)

Location: This role can be based in any of our UK offices - Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, or Warrington

Salary: £41,783 for Cardiff, Edinburgh, Warrington per year. £46,666 for London (inc. London allowance per year)

If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert before the scheduled closing date. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to apply at their earliest convenience. 

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues.

About the role

Reporting in to the Government and Multi-Lateral Funding Manager, the Government and Multi-Lateral Funding Advisor will drive substantial growth in income and impact outcomes by actively engaging and cultivating strong relationships with existing and new Institutional funding partners, co-creating and bidding with our Multi-Country Cluster (MCC) and Global Programmes teams.

The role supports development and delivery of the government and multilateral funding strategy for Christian Aid positioning Christian Aid and its partners to secure multi-million awards to maximise impact.

The post-holder will actively engage and cultivate strong relationships with existing and new Institutional funding partners, co-creating and bidding with MCC’s and Global Programmes teams, and will lead  on business capability statements and online donor account registrations.

Some of the main areas of responsibility for the Government and Multi-Lateral Funding Advisor are:

• Working with Government and Multi-lateral Funding Managers, Partnerships and Business Development Lead and Heads of Impact to implement an ambitious strategic framework to enhance engagement and build strong partnerships with agreed Government and Multilateral Funding Partners (including Global Climate Funds, UN, World Bank, Regional Development Banks, Bilateral donors including UK and devolved Governments, European and other Governments) in key areas for collaboration, ensuring alignment with organisational goals to drive impactful results.
• Build and maintain a forward opportunity pipeline for Christian Aid’s institutional funding, collaborating closely with CA Ireland to maximise funding growth.
• Support agreed Supplier Framework Agreements working with MCC Business Development Managers in taking forward pipeline opportunities.
• Collaborate across the Partnerships and Business Development Team and MCC BD Team on tenders and grants, leading bid preparation and ensuring alignment with funding requirements.
• Conduct donor mapping approaches to strengthen long-term financial growth.
• Identify and analyse funding opportunities, providing strategic insights and competitive analysis to maximise Christian Aid’s positioning.
• Support or lead the development of high-quality funding proposals, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and fostering co-creation with partners.
• Lead on global business capability statements and content across Christian Aid programme priorities ensuring these are up to date on the CA intranet and website and available and adaptable for bid teams and business development roles to use. This can include work with internal and external designers as required.
• Leads on key online donor accounts and portals management supporting Government and Multi-lateral Funding Manager(s) and Business Development Managers (MCC).

About you

Who we are looking for:

Essential:

• Highly developed communication, networking, consulting and relationship-building skills, including but not limited to Government Departments, INGOs, NGOs and Private Sector and country missions.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills at senior levels with advanced negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Highly developed research skills for identifying strategic funding and partnership opportunities.
• Highly developed organisational, planning, and prioritisation abilities.
• Substantial experience and proven success in securing six to seven figure grants.
• Substantial understanding of institutional donor funding landscapes and emerging trends.
• Substantial experience in donor engagement at global regional or country mission levels, working with senior stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills including promotional materials.
• Substantial experience in technical grant and service contract bid writing and annexes and developing grant budgets.
• Developed understanding of financial controls, project design tools, monitoring frameworks, and humanitarian programming principles.

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education.
• Experience or understanding of EU, UK Government, UN partner portals.
• Medium level proficiency in speaking and writing in French or Spanish.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. 

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid’s faith identity. 

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.