Carer Jobs

We are currently offering a rewarding opportunity for a motivated and proactive self-starter to join our friendly and dynamic team and organisation.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:

Friendly team and working environment, mix of remote and office-based work, some weekend and evening work with time off during the week, annual leave starts at 26 days increasing to 31 days plus bank and public holidays, contributory company pension, ongoing training and development opportunities and an employee assistance program.

 Our Charity:

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times.

 Carers Support and Development Worker - Autism

Salary: £18,518

Part Time (21 hours per week)

The role:

This role involves one to one support for unpaid Carers who support people with various support conditions including autism.

Skills and experience:

The successful applicant will have outstanding organisational and communication skills, be confident at supporting people on a one-to-one basis, including providing information and advice, listening support and advocacy. They will be able to manage conflicting demands with tight deadlines, be a key team player and committed to working with Carers and volunteers.

They will have excellent IT skills and be able to adapt to providing services both face to face and via virtual platforms, whilst maintaining a consistent service for Carers. 

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer, committed to the continued development of a diverse workforce.

We are currently offering a rewarding opportunity for a motivated and proactive self-starter to join our friendly and dynamic team and organisation.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:

Friendly team and working environment, mix of remote and office-based work, some weekend and evening work with time off during the week, annual leave starts at 26 days increasing to 31 days plus bank and public holidays, contributory company pension, ongoing training and development opportunities and an employee assistance program.

Our Charity:

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times.

 Support and Development Worker –

Advice & Information Team

Salary: £30,787

Full Time (35 hours per week)

Are you passionate about supporting carers and making a real impact in their lives? We're looking for a dedicated individual to join our busy Advice Team and help provide advice and guidance to those who need it most.

As the successful candidate, you'll bring your knowledge of the unique challenges faced by carers and use your expertise to offer vital information, especially in the area of welfare benefits. Your excellent communication skills will help you connect with and support carers, while your IT proficiency will enable you to provide effective, efficient assistance.

If you're committed to working in the voluntary sector and want to be part of a dynamic team that makes a real difference, this role is for you!

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer, committed to the continued development of a diverse workforce.

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This peer support project is delivered in partnership with South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust to support Carers of people with mental health conditions.  This project will work to support Carers through one-to-one support, outreach, training and peer support groups.

About The Role: 

Using your lived experience of caring for someone with a mental health condition, and a strengths-based approach, you will support mental health Carers in their caring role.  You will provide person centred one-to-one- support, information, signposting, and advocacy, develop, and facilitate peer support groups and deliver training and outreach sessions at different locations across the borough. 

Key Requirements Include: 

• Lived experience of Caring for someone with a mental health condition 

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health and the associated challenges and support needs. 

• The ability to work within the principles and values of peer support. 

• Confidence supporting people on a one-to-one basis. 

• Experience of / ability to facilitate peer support groups and training. 

• Clear communication and good interpersonal skills  

• Efficient organisation and time management skills 

• Developed IT skills, with experience using databases and communication platforms. 

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter to our email address.

Your covering letter should outline why you feel you are suitable for the role, using the job description as a guide. Unfortunately, unless we receive these, we will not be able to take your application any further.

The closing date is midday on 23rd October 2024.

We particularly welcome applicants from the underrepresented and diverse communities we support in Buckinghamshire/ Milton Keynes.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Team Leader

Job aim: Our carers, aged between 5 and 25, provide support to a parent, sibling or other family member due to disability, a long-term illness, poor mental health and/or addiction. You will lead and provide day to day operational management to the Young Carers (YC) and Young Adult Carers (YAC) team so that they can effectively provide support to these young people, whilst also raising awareness of Carers Bucks services across Buckinghamshire.

Location: Hybrid. A minimum of 2 days a week from home with the other days working flexibly from home or in the community, as agreed by your line manager, with attendance at our Aylesbury office as and when required.

Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave (which increase with long service) + bank holidays.

Benefits: 3 Christmas closure days

Up to 5 days paid Carers Leave

               Employee Assist Programme

Free annual flu jab

Free annual eye test

Work equipment (laptop/phone)

Salary: £27,918/ annum

Hours: 37 hours per week (you will need to have flexibility to work on occasional weekends and the evenings for pre-planned events for which you will receive TOIL

Duration: Fixed Term for 1 year, with possible extension.

Responsible To: Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Service Manager

Main Responsibilities:

These include, but are not limited to:

• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and attend regular training and refesher courses.

• Day to day management of the YC/YAC team- establishing and maintaining a positive and effective working environment and dealing promptly with any interpersonal issues

• Day to day operational responsibility for the effective running of the YC/YAC services.

• Ensure that all new referrals, and all queries from current registered YC/YAC, are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner, and to the highest possible standard.

• Carry a caseload, both individually and alongside your team.

• Ensure that staff have the support and resources they need to run targeted sessions, clubs and activities which effectively meet the needs of YC/YAC.

• Ensure there are enough staff to cover the service at all times and assist with recruitment when required.

• Ensure that staff work in an integrated way with their colleagues in the Adult Carer Team, and at our sister charity Carers MK, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for carers of all ages across the region.

• Ensure that all data relating to carers is stored correctly using our internal database, Charity Log.

• Create and review reports using Charity Log, for the purposes of monitoring and to help identify gaps in the service.

• Work with the Service Manager to develop services and maintain an in-depth understanding of the needs of the YC/YAC who are accessing our services.

• Actively promote inclusive practice.

• Lead and facilitate team meetings.

• Provide staff with feedback regarding their individual performance via quarterly supervision sessions and annual performance reviews.

• Provide staff with information relating to the organisation’s performance against operational targets during your regular team meetings.

• Work with the team to support and supervise volunteers recruited on behalf of the YC and YAC service.

• Ensure the team have had all the training they require to perform their duties and liaise with the Service Manager to source external training (or deliver internal training) where appropriate.

• Be proactive in assessing your own training needs and undertake relevant training accordingly.

• Be committed to representing and supporting the diverse communities in the local area and actively promote our services to those communities and groups who may not currently be accessing them, ensuring that our offer is in line with their specific needs.

• Develop and maintain relationships and referral pathways with Health and Social Care, Education and other voluntary sector organisations, and ensure staff have a good understanding of these.

• Check and authorise staff expenses, supplier invoices and credit card spend and liaise with the Operations Manager on these matters as needed.

• Manage activity budgets in line with Service Manager’s requests.

• Represent Carers Bucks at promotional events, conferences and relevant networking meetings, and actively participate in activities that we run ourselves e.g. our AGM, Carers Week and Young Carers Action Day.

• Work cooperatively with the fundraising and communications team in order to maximise donations and ensure that our website and social media presence remains relevant and up to date.

• Deputise for the Service Manager when required.

• Any other duties as reasonably required by Carers Bucks.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of managing a team (E)

• Experience of working with young people (D)

• Experience of working with educational and social care professionals (D)

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with both professionals and service users (E)

Knowledge and Understanding

• A clear understanding of the issues affecting YCs and YACs and their support needs (E)

• Demonstration of a commitment to, and a good working knowledge of, equality, diversity and inclusion (E)

• Experience of Children’s and Adult’s Safeguarding policies (D)

Support those who Care

This is an exciting opportunity to join our new service supporting Carers across City of London to improve their health and wellbeing, and access support that meets their needs.

The team work holistically with Carers to understand their individual circumstances and level of need. You’ll carry out home visits and community-based meetings, co-produce support plans, and develop effective relationships with Carers, families, and professionals. You will also support Carers to complete written forms and applications, draft letters, and advocate with third parties.         

You’ll build on your local knowledge to signpost and facilitate access for Carers to support services, including financial and benefit advice, housing, health and safety home systems, and leisure and social activities. You will also support the development of escalation plans so that Carers are prepared for unforeseen circumstances that would impact negatively on ability to care.

Together with colleagues, you will plan and deliver the service’s activity package, including coffee mornings, drop-in sessions, activities, online and face to face groups, and peer support forums. There will also be opportunities to promote the service by attending meetings and forums, and to deliver training sessions to professionals and community organisations so that they have the skills to identify Carers.

Applicants should have relevant personal or professional experience of working with Carers and/or vulnerable adults or children in a social care, health, education or voluntary and community sector. You’ll need a practical understanding of barriers faced by Carers, and an awareness of cultural differences and access to services. Speaking Bengali would be an advantage. 

You should be an excellent communicator and able to motivate and empower others. Full or part-time positions available.

Do a job where you make a difference

We offer our employees:

· Inclusive values-based environment

· Competitive remuneration package

· Workplace pension scheme

· Generous 31 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays

· Opportunities for hybrid working

· Benenden Health Care

· Death in Service Benefit

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Employee Supported Volunteering scheme

· Development opportunities

· and more

Imago is committed to Safer Recruitment practices, and the post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note or visit our website for full details.

Imago recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for reasons that are not fair. We aim to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences, and see these differences as an asset, as they improve our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we work with. We proactively seek to increase opportunities for inclusion, and celebrate diversity across our organisation and within communities.

Imago recognises its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children, young people and adults at risk who access its services or with whom it comes into contact.

Carers' Resource is excited to announce a new opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of carers. We are currently seeking to recruit:

Young Carer Worker, Bradford District

£23,725 - £26,021 (FTE)

(37 hours per week)

You will be supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of young carers (age 5-18) in Bradford District through a mixture of one-to-one and group/activity work.

Proven ability in improving the wellbeing of children and young people is essential, including setting up and running activities for children and young people, individual and group work skills, knowledge of the issues facing young carers and the ability to engage with children and young people in a variety of ways.

The post will require some early evening work and flexibility regarding activities with young carers during school holidays. There is flexibility to work some hours at home as well as in community settings, schools and our office bases.

Join Our Team:

If you are passionate about supporting others and making a difference, we encourage you to apply. Carers' Resource values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: Friday 25th October 2024

Interviews will take place week beginning Monday 4th November 2024

We are also advertising a Young Carer Worker role based in North Yorkshire (Harrogate and Craven) for 30 hours per week.

Closing date: Monday 7th October 2024

For More Information:

For an informal discussion about these roles, contact Rachel Waddington at Carers' Resource.

Join Our Team – Support Worker (unpaid carers)

We're looking for a Support Worker to join our friendly team. You will cover West Essex (Harlow, Epping & Uttlesford), playing a pivotal role in supporting unpaid family carers who look after someone due to their age, disability, long-term physical or mental health condition or an addiction. You will support carers to manage the practicalities related to their caring roles and navigate support systems, alongside maintaining their own wellbeing.  You will provide carers with appropriate information, advice and guidance, from accessing benefits, peer support or respite breaks. You will mainly work in the community as well as from our offices or home.

About Us:

Action for Family Carers is a well-established Essex-based charity dedicated to supporting unpaid carers and young carers. We've been making a positive impact for over 30 years.

About You:

You are a great listener! You can build trusted relationships with a range of people. You have experience working in a similar role with knowledge of assessing need, building support plans and providing relevant information, advice and guidance. You have an awareness of the impact of caring responsibilities and importantly, you are empathetic and understanding, with ability to work with carers in a non-judgemental way.

What We Offer:

· Salary: £23,708 per annum FTE, actual £21,676 per annum

· Contract: To 31st March 2027 (potential for 2 year extension subject to funding)

· Hours: 32 hours – Flexible days/hours, hybrid office/home/community working

· Locality/area: West Essex (Harlow, Epping & Uttlesford)

Benefits:

· Full induction and relevant training

· Contributory work-based pension scheme

· Access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

· Flexible working arrangements

Apply Now:

If you're ready to be part of a dynamic team, contribute to meaningful work, and make a positive impact, we want to hear from you! Apply now and help us continue changing lives at Action for Family Carers.

Closing date for completed applications: 5pm Tuesday 29th October 2024

Read the full Job Description and Person Specification. on our website.

Action for Family Carers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

Make a difference for children now and for their future

We’re looking for someone to work with schools across Lewisham to improve the education and health potential of Young Carers. You’ll work alongside our wider team supporting Unpaid Carers across the borough.

You’ll develop relationships with schools and school staff, raising awareness and supporting the identification of Young Carers within education settings, and supporting the development of policy, guidance and resources. You’ll work one-to-one and with groups of Young Carers, and carry out home-based visits to offer support interventions.  

As a Young Carers Schools Coordinator, you will also support the planning and delivery of the service’s activity package, including respite activities, online groups and face-to-face sessions.

Applicants should have relevant personal or professional experience of working with children, young people, and families in social care, health, education or voluntary and community sector. You’ll need a practical understanding of barriers faced by Young Carers, and an awareness of cultural differences and access to services. You should be confident engaging with young people and teaching and non-teaching school professionals at all levels.

You should be an excellent communicator with great organisational skills, and able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team. This is a full-time role.

Apply today!

We offer our employees:

· Inclusive values-based environment

· Competitive remuneration package

· Workplace pension scheme

· Generous 31 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays

· Opportunities for hybrid working

· Benenden Health Care

· Death in Service Benefit

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Employee Supported Volunteering scheme

· Development opportunities

· and more

Imago is committed to Safer Recruitment practices, and the post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note or visit our website for full details.

Centre Administrator 

£28,000 p/a + cost-of-living increase (pending), full-time 35 hours per week, plus excellent benefits and opportunities for progression 

Did you know that there may be over 20,000 Sutton residents who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is sick or disabled due to a physical, mental health or substance misuse issue? Sutton Carers Centre works in partnership to help improve and maintain the quality of life for these Young and Adult Carers living, working, studying or caring in the London Borough of Sutton. 

We are looking to recruit to a key and rewarding role in our charity. The members of our team are highly skilled, passionate and committed, so we are looking for an experienced administrator who can support them. The successful candidate will be skilled in office administrative functions, to ensure the delivery of an efficient, friendly and smooth-running Centre as well as office co-ordination and support services. The post-holder will have experience of developing, maintaining and improving systems in an office environment. The post-holder will also oversee reception functions, including the support of the administration and reception volunteers. 

You also will have excellent IT, literacy and numeracy skills and be able to express yourself well in person and in writing. The successful candidate will be positive, empathic, creative and boundaried in their ability to work alongside Carers as well as our colleagues and partners, in helping Carers maintain their own health and wellbeing alongside their caring roles.

Sutton Carers Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS and other appropriate checks.

We value the diversity of our teams and are looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. We particularly encourage people who are black, from other minoritised ethnic or refugee groups, or from LGBTQ+ communities to apply. Men are currently under-represented in our team as well. We also seek applicants with personal caring experience as well as welcoming applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues.   

We are recruiting a Communications Officer to join our team, helping us plan and deliver a full programme of engagement opportunities for our 60th anniversary year; drive membership of the charity and recruit volunteers; and deepen engagement with the cause across multiple audiences and touchpoints. 

We're looking for someone who will embody our values of being Attentive, Ambitious, Achievers and will bring all their communications experience to the organisation at an exciting and busy time.

About us

Carers UK’s vision is to create a society that recognises, values and supports carers. As the leading national charity for unpaid carers, we exist to make life better for carers, however caring affects them. Our support, advice, information and campaigning work are now needed more than ever, as unpaid carers are providing more and more care, adversely impacting on their own health and wellbeing.

About the role

The Communications Officer has a key role to play in planning and delivering communications to key stakeholders including carers, members, supporters, volunteers, partner organisations, and staff. The post holder will write, edit, co-ordinate and publish content across various channels, including the website, social media, digital, print and through integrated communications and marketing campaigns.

The Communications Officer will deliver consistent messaging, including across all nations, appropriate for audience and channel, that helps build awareness of, and connection to, Carers UK.

Diversity and inclusion

Carers UK is committed to becoming a diverse and truly inclusive organisation. We strive to create a workplace where our colleagues and volunteers can truly be themselves and feel like they belong and constantly seek to ensure all voices are heard.

To embrace this culture of diversity, our employee and volunteer recruitment should reflect our stakeholders and the society that we serve and support, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities or religious practices. We value individual diversity and are actively building diverse teams here at Carers UK and value our colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

As a membership charity for carers, we particularly seek employees and volunteers with a real understanding of the issues faced by carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made to the process and role dependent on the needs of the applicant.

At Carers UK we want our application process to be as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to apply please email the recruitment team to discuss.

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Thursday 24 October 2024

Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK are actively interviewing as we receive applications.

Carers UK may carry out online and social media checks as well as seek references before a formal offer is made.

Dementia Carers Count have an exciting hybrid opportuinity to deliver timely and efficient fundraising and administrative support, at home with one day in the London office, as we work to ensure that no dementia carer ever feels isolated, invisible or alone. 

Job Title:   Fundraising & Admin Officer

Reports to:  Public Fundraising Manager 

Contract:   Permanent contract 

Hours:    35 hours/week

Salary:   £30,000 pa

Location:   Hybrid, one day a week in the London office.

Job purpose  

To deliver timely and efficient fundraising and administrative support, as we work to ensure that no dementia carer ever feels isolated, invisible or alone. 

Key responsibilities   

• Be the first point of contact for supporters, campaigners and others, managing enquiries via post, online and over the phone to ensure everyone has a quality experience.

• Manage processes for fundraising donations.

• Work with teams across the organisation and with carers to produce creative and engaging thank you and stewardship materials.

• Support the fundraising team with prospect research to help identify potential new supporters.

• Draft funder reports, small trust funding applications and fundraising communications.

• Support the administration and delivery of fundraising activities and initiatives.

• Keep up to date with sector developments and best practice in fundraising.

• Support the marketing & communications manager to deliver effective internal communications.

• Support the services team to deal with carer enquiries and casework, administer online groups, and produce reports.

• Support the organisation with general administrative duties as required.

Senior Peer Support Development Officer – North West

About Kinship:

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good. 

Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. 

We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported. 

Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.

Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first. We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.

About the Team

The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.

By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.

As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.

In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub. You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment. Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking an individual located in or around Greater Manchester, and willing to travel across the North West of England who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

· Establish new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities

· Supervise a small team of Peer Support Development Officers

· Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to inspire yourself and your team to achieve key targets and objectives

· Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the delivery of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.

· Maintain current Peer Support Groups, taking the lead from the national Hub.

· Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

In the role of Senior Peer Support Officer, you will be instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent, and sustainable peer support service that has a significant impact on the lives of kinship carers.

You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.

As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.

You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick start a thriving peer support group.

As you establish new groups, you will provide training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.

You will be an inspirational and energetic team leader with experience in providing day-to-day line management and operational support for a small team.

We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater Manchester but willing to work initially across the whole of the North West. This role may involve working to establish groups in West Yorkshire and into North Staffordshire.

A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential, as this role may require travel across London and its periphery to reach areas in need of dedicated support.

Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local and regional communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Work creatively to set up and develop new sustainable in peer support groups, attending up to six sessions in person (if needed) before transition to self-sufficiency.  Existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support will need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreements across the team, in addition to new groups. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Deliver training to support group leaders (group roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, setting up, running and promoting a group).
• Develop strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Help develop and deliver a service blueprint for sustainable peer support groups, thinking strategically about how to develop groups.
• You'll collaborate closely with the ‘Hub’ team to provide a joined up and positive user experience for kinship carers. This collaborative approach is key to our success and ensures that kinship carers receive the best possible support.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

• Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
• Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
• Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.

Management and supervision: 

• Inspire, motivate and be responsible for day-to-day line management and supervising up to 4 staff members
• Oversee tactical development of new sustainable groups in your area and your team.
• Help set clear objectives to achieve targets and outcomes.
• Actively encourage personal development and learning.
• Increase efficiencies and impact across the team.
• Ensure good team induction processes and systems are in place.
• Role model Kinship values. 

Team culture:

• Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
• Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
• Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
• Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
• Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
• Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
• Work in line with the Kinship values.

 Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):

 Essential: 

• Experience of team leadership or line management and supervision of a small team and managing performance to deliver targets effectively.
• Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.
•  Experience developing peer support communities.
• Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers. 
• Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services is evidenced through high-quality data collection. 
• Evidence of delivering training/support to volunteers,
• Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user led groups with charity beneficiaries. 
• Understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families. 
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.
• Full driving licence and use of a car for work purposes.

 Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

 General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England and Wales.

· Drive and have access to a vehicle.

· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.

· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.

· Good standard of written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

· Able to remain focused on the primary task of establishing new peer support groups, ensuring that more kinship carers have access to high-quality peer support.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

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. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing date and interview details:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews:  1st Interview Week Commencing 4 November

2nd Interview Week Commencing 11 November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.  Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format. 

Peer Support Development Officer – Greater London

 About Kinship:

Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information and guidance helps with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families have to make. We are always there to support them through challenging times and celebrate the good. 

Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. 

We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government and other organisations. We give everything we have to fight for each family and their rights, changing society until every kinship family is recognised, valued and supported. 

Kinship care often begins in crisis. A child has parents who are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It can be frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.

Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There is often no chance to prepare. Plans may be pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are frequently sacrificed.

It is life changing and challenging raising children who have been hurt or neglected, but kinship carers do it anyway because they put the children first.

We know how hard life can be for kinship carers, but we have seen the amazing things they are capable of, with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families can flourish. 

That is why we support, connect and campaign – to keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.

About the Team

The Peer Support and Community team at Kinship is dedicated to enhancing the lives of kinship carers across England and Wales by delivering the first national peer support service. With a focus on building and sustaining networks of peer support groups, the team aims to empower kinship carers through access to resources, training, and development opportunities.

By fostering connections within local, regional, and national ecosystems, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that every kinship carer has access to a supportive community.

As part of our commitment to growth and impact, the team develops innovative approaches to peer support, creating an inclusive environment where kinship carers can share experiences and access essential services. We prioritize collaboration across various departments, ensuring that support group leaders receive high-quality advice and training, facilitating their sustainability and effectiveness. This integrated approach also includes alignment with national and local campaigning efforts to further engage and support the kinship carer community.

In line with our strategic focus on cultivating a vibrant Kinship Community of over 10,000 carers, the team leads initiatives aimed at enhancing community connection and empowering kinship families. By developing a robust model of community engagement that encompasses both in-person and digital services, the team aims to amplify the voices of kinship carers, enabling them to effect meaningful change in their lives and communities.

 About the role

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form Peer Support Groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national Hub.

You will do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers. You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment.

Funded by the Department of Education, the National Peer Support Service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and two years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an individual located in Greater London, who possesses the drive, passion, and skills to:

• Develop new Peer Support Groups across a diverse range of communities
• Demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm required to achieve key targets and objectives
• Work collaboratively within the Peer Support and Community Team, as well as throughout the broader organisation, to ensure the development of safe and effective support services for the kinship community.
• Maintain current Peer Support Group levels, taking the lead from the national Hub.
• Maintain accurate records that are used to populate reports, identify learning and share key insights across Kinship that allow the organisation to continuously improve our services and products.

You should have experience in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with various community-based stakeholders such as local authorities, health services, schools, charities, and kinship carers. You will need to understand the key success factors involved in establishing and developing new in-person groups in areas of high need, as well as how to support existing groups in their journey towards sustainability.

As a practical thinker, you will work creatively to identify stakeholders and assets in areas of high need. You will build local connections and bring together kinship carers across the region, empowering them to build resilient and robust peer support communities.

You will be confident in building relationships that generate referrals from external stakeholders and in contacting kinship carers directly to secure engagement with local coffee mornings, community, and training events that will help kick-start a thriving peer support group.

As you establish new groups, you will provide support and training to help them lead their groups effectively, and develop their group culture, resilience, and skills to function independently while offering reassurance and support to empower them.

We are ideally looking for candidates based in or around Greater London and willing to work initially across London Boroughs. This role may involve work to establish groups on the periphery of this area that currently have no dedicated Development staff.

An essential requirement of the role is to be a driver with access to a vehicle for work purposes.

 Key responsibilities: 

Service delivery:

• In-person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local communities including setting up and attending local engagement events.
• Set up and develop sustainable in person peer support groups, initially attending and leading sessions in person before transition to self-sufficiency. 
• Working with existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support that need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreement, in addition to new groups. Targets are subject to change and are not fixed. 
• Recruit and retain support group leaders to develop their peer support groups.
• Assist with the delivery of training to support group leaders and groups to become self-sufficient.
• Develop strong boundaried and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment and community.
• Support established groups (including independent) in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community. 
• Follow (and where appropriate support further development off) the service blueprint to develop sustainable peer support groups.
• Collaborate with the Peer Support Hub team to provide a joined-up and positive user experience for kinship carers.
• Manage special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘Hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners. 

Service quality, development and data management:

• Accurately record all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements.
• Ensure accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning.
• Provide regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• Support continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required.
  

Team culture:

• Act in the best interest of Kinship and the families we support.
• Maintain and contribute up to date understanding of kinship care.
• Deliver effective administration with attention to detail and keeping to deadlines.
• Identify and contribute to appropriate case studies to demonstrate the impact of Kinship services and contribute to policy and campaigns work.
• Actively contribute to delivering and evidencing a high performing service.
• Take responsibility for your ongoing continued professional development.
• Work in line with the Kinship values.

 Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience (person spec):

 Essential:

· Proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person.

· Significant experience developing peer support communities.

· Proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers.

· Proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services are evidenced through high-quality data collection.

· Evidence of developing and delivering training/support to volunteers, based on the needs of service users (in this case kinship carers).

· Strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user-led groups with charity beneficiaries.

· Proven experience of using a customer relationship management system effectively (we use Salesforce).

· In-depth understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families.

· Excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail.

Desirable:

· Lived experience of kinship care.

· Understanding of children’s social care.

· Digital community building (Facebook / WhatsApp etc).

· Full, clean driving licence/own car.

General characteristics and attributes:

· Flexible and willing to travel for work across England.

· Commitment to the values, aims and objectives of Kinship.

· A real commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within your role and a respectful approach to working with people from a range of backgrounds.

· Excellent written and spoken English.

· Permission to work in the UK.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

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. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing and Interview details are:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews: Week Commencing 4 November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion 

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. 

Candidate Application Information

Please refer to the Job Description for this role to check that you meet the criteria necessary for the job. Closing and Interview details are:

Closing date: 1 November 2024 12:00 pm

Interviews: Week Commencing 4 November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate they meet the essential skills and experience outlined.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application. If you have a disability, which you would like us to consider, please tell us about this when you apply.  Please let us know if we can help and remember that you can request information in large print or in a different format. 

We are a dynamic, growing charity providing practical respite solutions for unpaid carers in the home and award winning day centres.  Are you and experienced fundraiser who can elevate us further through additional revenue streams?

With a turnover of £1.6m we are sustainable but have unfunded projects that will benefit our service users.  You would support our service areas from children to the elderly, physical disabilities to mental health, fundamentally improving the quality of life of people in our communities.

Role

You will need to be good at research and submit well written applications to grant making organisations.  You will also be good at building relationships so that we can gain year on year funding for our projects.

We want to work with smaller grant makers but also focus on large grant opportunities through the likes of National Lottery, Henry Smith etc.

As part of your role you would be good at IT, recording progress on our customised Salesforce CRM system.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• At least 2 years’ experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies and plans that support organisational growth
• Proven ability to identify and draft grant funding bids and other forms of funding applications
• Highly developed written and presentation skills with proven ability to write and present using a range of materials including emotive and compelling prose suitable for different audiences
• Good analytical and research skills with the ability to process and present complex information clearly and concisely
• Working knowledge of using IT- key social media platforms, the Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent coordination and organisational skills
• The ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Entrepreneurial, results-driven and able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Commitment to delivering quality and to continual improvement in practice
• A self-motivated individual with the perseverance to work towards long term goals
• Passionate, creative and motivated, to achieve ambitious targets
• Knowledge of current fundraising guidelines/legislation
• Good knowledge of contemporary fundraising techniques.
• Good knowledge of public and private sector funding sources, structures and organisations.
• Adaptability - flexible to changing circumstances, keeping projects and goals on track by changing approach
• Ability to work under pressure & time management

Benefits

• We offer 28 days holiday (pro rata) per year including bank holidays rising to 33 after 5 years service.
• Each Christmas a discretionary extra few days for a Christmas close down are given
• Throughout the year there are Charity events
• We fund Blue Light Card membership for employee discounts
• Staff have access to Vivup for online GP sessions and additional benefits
• We provide a stakeholder pension and 4% matched contributions