Carer Support Officer

Citizens Advice Southampton is recruiting! We're looking for a Carer Support Officer, to work in our Unpaid Carers Support Southampton service

Location: based in our Southampton office, plus some outreach work. Some home working a possibility on completion of probation

Citizens Advice Southampton is a local charity providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to over 7,000 people in Southampton every year on any problems they might face.

Unpaid Carers Support Southampton (UCSS) is a small team, working within Citizens Advice Southampton. There are an estimated 18,000 unpaid carers in Southampton: people who care for another adult due to illness or disability. Common examples might be a husband who cares for his wife who has dementia; a daughter who cares for her father who has Multiple Sclerosis; a brother who cares for his sister who has a learning difficulty.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.  

The Role

The post holder will be part of a small team who have a shared interest in making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers throughout Southampton city.  The post holder will offer front line support to unpaid carers. This will mainly be undertaken by phone, with some face-to-face work, and include carers assessments and reviews (training will be provided).  They will actively listen to carers and provide them with information, advice, and support to enable them to continue living their lives to the fullest and reduce any negative impacts of their caring role.  The post holder will also deliver some ‘outreach’ in the city. This might involve attending groups to talk to carers and raise awareness. They will be expected to assist with the planning and delivery of carer events eg. monthly carers lunches, and carry out other reasonable tasks in order to support Southampton’s unpaid carers.

This role is subject to a basic DBS check.

About You

You will have experience of listening sensitively to and gathering information from people who need support. Ideally you will have experience of helping others to achieve a positive outcome.

This role is an opportunity to make a difference at a time when our help has never been needed more.

Citizens Advice Southampton and the UCSS Team are a friendly, and dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers. We value our team enormously, and staff can expect an environment where they have opportunities to develop themselves whilst supporting others. We offer a salary which is competitive within the charity sector, as well as a generous holiday allowance and other benefits including a NEST pension scheme and an outstanding Employee Assistance Programme including a GP helpline.

How to Apply

For a job pack please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date for applications is Monday 20th April at 9am.

Interview dates will be arranged with individual candidates as applications are received.

We reserve the right to close applications early if a suitable candidate is found, so encourage prompt applications.