Monitoring and evaluation advisor jobs

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’re looking for an experienced, passionate, strategic and creative Head of Development to join us as part of a job share and lead our support and capacity-building offer. 

You will have strategic oversight of our support offer to the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Somerset, leading on the provision of targeted support and infrastructure services. You will also lead the Development Team, develop a programme of forums and events across the county that support the training and networking needs of the sector, and work with colleagues to build our partnerships with local agencies.

You will bring significant leadership experience working with or supporting the development of voluntary sector organisations, groups or networks. You will have demonstrable experience of partnership working – including with the Public Sector – and knowledge of the principles of asset-based community development and empowerment.

In return, we offer flexible, hybrid working options, a free Employee Assistance Programme, up to 7.5 hours of volunteering leave per year, and an additional day of leave for your birthday.

This is a full-time, job share role, though part-time and flexible hours will be considered for the right candidate. The salary is £40,000-£43,000 per annum.

Purpose of the job

This is a great opportunity for someone who’s passionate about supporting the delivery of the youth engagement strategy for the #iwill Movement and ensuring young people are at the centre of our work at UK Youth.

The Youth Development Officer (Towns & Cities of Social Action), will support the development and delivery of youth participation in our place-based work with the #iwill Movement and UK Youth Network. You will create positive relationships with local youth organisations and young people, so that our work is driven by their voices and experiences, helping to develop and deliver a range of opportunities and activities to build and engage different communities of young people. You will help empower young people to become active citizens and creative positive change, by creating innovative ways for young people to engage in various networks through volunteering, social action and campaigning projects.

About UK Youth

UK Youth exists to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. We support a network of thousands of youth organisations across the UK to improve young lives every day. At the same time, we are transforming the policies, investment, and ideas needed to future-proof youth work and outdoor learning for generations to come: 

• We back youth work leaders with the evidence, connections, and investment they need to thrive. 

• We keep youth work effective with research, large-scale pilot programmes, and professional development initiatives. 

• And we work with young changemakers to inspire lasting change in the attitudes of the public and funders.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure partners and young people in our eight #iwill Towns & Cities of Social Action (TaCSA) understand and feel connected to the #iwill movement through consistent communication, engagement in opportunities, and inclusion in movement development discussions/activities.

• In partnership with our partners in the TaCSAs, develop and deliver a programme of youth development and social action activity, with emphasis on those communities.

• Working closely with the Communications team, co-create and support communications that profile youth voice, platform stories, and showcase impact through digital and traditional media.

• Facilitate opportunities for young people to build their confidence, skills and leadership through volunteering, campaigning and social action opportunities.

• In partnership with the Nationally-focused Manager and Officer, ensure young people from our TaCSAs have access to opportunities to influence and take action at a national level as well as in their local area.

• Coordinate and support on youth-facing campaigns and events such as Power of Youth Day, #iWill Week, and key regional activities.

• Ensure opportunities for young people prioritise inclusion and accessibility for those who might need additional support and encouragement to step up and engage.

• Support young people to create digital content (e.g. blogs, videos, social posts) and partner with them to tell their stories across local and national platforms.

• Develop content on agreed digital platforms to engage and connect young people and networks across the UK.

• Organise and manage logistics for youth activities: prioritising safeguarding, appropriate briefings, communication promotion and stakeholder coordination.

• Engage with partners and stakeholders—youth workers, media, funders, local authorities—to build alliances, increase visibility of youth-led work and encourage new opportunities.

• Communicate the benefits of the UK Youth and #iwill Movement and progress against our priorities to organisations and individuals, through a variety of channels, updates and specific marketing campaigns.

Experience we're after

• A nationally recognised youth work qualification or ability to demonstrate experience of frontline youth work delivery, understanding of contextual safeguarding and data protection is highly desirable.

• Experience of working with young volunteers and/or social action projects.

• Demonstrated experience in digital engagement and communications activities—especially creating content with young people.

• Experience of using digital platforms to engage networks and communities.

• Proven track record of project coordination, event management, or logistical planning within a youth or voluntary sector setting.

• Experience working in place-based contexts and understanding how to engage local communities and young people meaningfully.

• Confident engaging with and coaching young people to take on new opportunities, lead campaigns, tell their stories, or influence decisions.

• Familiarity with facilitating groups sessions and workshops is highly desirable.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 24th April 2026 at 23:59pm (midnight)

Provisional Interview Dates: 5th & 6th May 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

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 Senior Advice Worker – SEND will be the specialist and subject expert in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and kinship care. You’ll provide 1:1 advice directly to kinship carers on all issues that impact on their caring role.

You will often be supporting kinship carers in high crisis. It will be part of your job to calm a situation quickly and support people to communicate what they need so you can provide personalised in-depth advice.

You’ll provide advice by phone, video calls and email, but you’ll also need to be able to respond to text, WhatsApp and online chat and other channels as we develop the service.

You’ll specialise in providing advice and information to enable kinship carers to support children with SEND needs, including speech, language and communication difficulties, social, emotional and mental health challenges, specific learning difficulties, and autism.

This will include advice and casework to support kinship carers to navigate the education system, understand Education, Health and Care Plan processes and access support from schools, children’s services and CAMHS.

As subject expert, you’ll provide expert input to the development of written information and resources and the development and delivery of specialist training for kinship carers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Respond to enquiries through a range of incoming channels. This includes taking calls on our advice line, as well as responding to enquiries submitted through our website, via internal referral or other channels.
• Provide high quality advice and information to kinship carers on their rights, entitlements and responsibilities in relation to welfare benefits, local authority allowances, support from children’s services, relevant legal orders, sources of educational, parenting and legal support and other issues that may be required.
• Assess vulnerability and risk to prioritise and respond to kinship carers’ issues in a timely manner.
• Research individual cases and identify possible courses of action.
• Address all safeguarding concerns in line with policy.
• Facilitate access to our advice service for people with diverse needs, e.g. by using appropriate translation services or assistive technology.
• Adapt communication style to respond appropriately to differing needs.
• Provide advice in a format that is manageable and understandable for the individual kinship carer.
• Apply agreed Kinship models of practice as appropriate, e.g. taking a trauma-informed approach.
• Provide specialist advice and casework on SEND-related issues. This may involve:
  • providing additional advice or support to enable a client to take action
  • undertaking follow-up action on behalf of the client to move the case on, e.g. negotiating with third parties
  • taking on complex casework to pursue significant outcomes for the client or strategic impact for all kinship carers

• Proactively update colleagues across Kinship on relevant updates in the SEND landscape, providing guidance to teams.

• Work closely with training colleagues to develop, create and occasionally lead training sessions to support kinship carers to navigate the SEND system.

Essential requirements include:

• Minimum of 2 years’ recent experience of delivering in-depth advice work on complex social welfare legal issues (e.g. benefits, housing, education or social care) to members of the public.

• Experience of giving both telephone and written advice.

• Either significant knowledge of and expertise in the SEND system and SEND-related issues, with the ability to develop expertise in kinship care advice; or, Significant knowledge of and expertise in kinship care advice, with substantial knowledge of SEND-related advice issues and the ability to become an expert in SEND advice for kinship carers.

• A demonstrable knowledge of relevant sources of advice and information. 

• Knowledge and evidence of good understanding of safeguarding issues and good practice.

• Proven understanding of the importance of confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach.

• Experience and confidence in development of resources

• Experience of effective management and supervision of staff, projects and/or services.

• Experience using Case Management Systems and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.

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: Monday 20 April 2026, 12pm
• First interview: w/c 4 May 2026 (online)
• Second interview: w/c 11 May 2026 (if required)

How to apply:

Please apply for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND by sending a CV and answering the questions below. The deadline is 12pm on Monday 20 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.

Please provide a cover letter answering the following 4 questions (up to 250 words per answer):

1. Give an overview of how your experience, qualifications and training equip you for the role of Senior Advice Worker - SEND.
2. Explain why you want to work for Kinship.
3. What are the key skills and personal attributes that you would bring to the role?
4. What do you see as the most significant advice issues confronting kinship families navigating the SEND system?

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.