Kingston Carers' Network

Who we are

About Kingston Carers’ Network (KCN):

Kingston Carers’ Network (KCN) is a local registered charity, providing independent information, advice, advocacy and support to people who care for someone living in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
We support over 3,600 adult carers and nearly 800 young carers. We are also committed to ensuring that carers have a stronger voice, and so we offer a range of opportunities for carers to have a say in the way health, social care and carers’ services are run in the borough.
We represent our carers’ views across the borough to ensure that local decision-makers fully consider the needs of carers.

OUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

KCN's vision is to improve the lives of unpaid carers in Kingston

Our mission is to support all carers by delivering a comprehensive and holistic range of services to reflect diverse and individual needs. We are carer led and will ensure carers are respected, valued, and recognised as experts in the care of the person they support.
These services include: information, advice and advocacy, emotional support and counselling, one-to-one mentoring, wellbeing programmes, peer support groups and respite activities. We seek to increase both identification of carers and recognition of the enormous value they provide.
KCN's Key Values
Independence. We are not part of a wider agency, statutory service or ‘government’ body;
A customised, needs-based approach. We treat all carers as individuals, within their specific caring contexts;
Advocacy. We speak up – and speak out – on behalf of carers;
Perseverance. We do not give up until carers’ needs have been addressed;
Quality of service. We offer the uncompromising expertise that only a specialist carer service can provide.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Community

Staff away days
In person social activities

Family

Our policies include compassionate, dependents, carers and bereavement leave that support the lives of staff who have additional commitments.
Many of our staff and trustees have experience of caring and we are a carer friendly organisation.

Holidays

25 days annual leave per annum plus statutory holidays – pro-rata.
Bonus Christmas Leave
Annual leave allowance runs from 1st April to 31st March.

Flexible working

We operate flexible working practices which include working from home, varying start and end times of the working day and compressed hours.
Staff are expected to record their working hours on a timesheet and will accrue time off in lieu for any hours worked over their contracted hours.

Pay and pension

You’ll be eligible and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme with Scottish Widows. We offer a 4% matched pension contribution after successful completion of three month probationary period.

Learning and development

A key part of our strategy is to continue to develop and enhance the knowledge and learning experience of our staff.
Staff have regular supervision which can include a personal support plan. The wellbeing of staff is paramount.

Travel Expenses

Reimbursement of travel expenses on public transport incurred in the performance of official duties, or a mileage allowance for staff members using their own cars.