Could you support young carers in building confidence, resilience, and brighter futures?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Young Carer Coordinator to join our team, supporting young people across West and South Essex who are caring for a family member. This is a rewarding and varied role that involves both one-to-one and group work with young carers, helping them improve their emotional wellbeing and navigate the challenges they face.
You will have experience working with children or young people in settings such as youth work, education, health, or social care. You’ll be passionate about making a difference and creating safe, supportive spaces for young carers to be heard, grow, and thrive.
About Us:
Action for Family Carers is a thriving charity which for over 30 years has been providing support for Adult Carers and Young Carers – people with unpaid, caring responsibilities for others. We are a Carers Trust Network Partner and Trusted Charity. We provide support, information, counselling, Young Carer clubs and respite care across Essex, working within schools, with GP practices and in a variety of community settings.
Responsibilities will include:
· Building trusted relationships with young carers and their families
· Delivering tailored one-to-one and group support to meet individual needs
· Developing engaging activities and resources
· Working closely with schools and community partners to raise awareness
· Helping young carers shape the services that support them
· Keeping clear and accurate records of support provided
· Promoting the service through content creation and outreach
· Supporting wider organisational goals, including fundraising
You will need to be:
· Experienced in working with children and young people
· A great communicator and listener
· Compassionate, patient, and inclusive in your approach
· Organised and confident managing your own caseload
· IT literate and comfortable using databases and Microsoft Office
· Able to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends
· A driver with access to a vehicle
We offer:
· Salary £26,300
· Full-time 35 hours per week (5 days)
· Office base – Harlow or Maldon
· Contributory pension scheme
· 24-hour Confidential Staff Helpline
· An opportunity to help vulnerable families in the local community
· A chance to be part of a supportive and friendly team
Closing date for completed applications is 5pm Monday 23rd June 2025
We will be interviewing applicants on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the application window if we appoint a suitable candidate.
Job Description
ROLE PURPOSE:
To support young carers in improving their well-being, navigating the challenges of their caring roles, and achieving personal goals. This includes the delivery of individual and group support, coordination of tailored interventions, and close collaboration with schools and community partners to ensure young carers’ voices are central in shaping the support they receive. The role actively promotes young carers’ rights to enjoy their childhood, thrive, and reach their full potential by challenging inappropriate or excessive caring responsibilities. The postholder will contribute to the measurement of outcomes to evidence impact, inform service improvement, and support young carers to realise their aspirations.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational Management & Service Delivery:
· Build strong relationships with schools and local organisations to raise awareness of young carers’ needs and generate referrals.
· Manage a caseload, including conducting assessments and co-producing personalised support plans with young carers and their families.
· Deliver both one-to-one and group sessions that support emotional wellbeing, resilience, and life transitions.
· Design and deliver high-quality, engaging resources and activities tailored to individual and group needs.
· Work collaboratively with professionals in education, health, and social care to provide holistic support.
· Develop content such as case studies and social media materials to enhance service visibility.
· Maintain accurate records using the organisation’s CRM system, ensuring effective case management and audit readiness.
· Support young carers to shape the services they receive through regular feedback and consultation.
· Support organisational fundraising, grant applications, and other service development initiatives.
Safeguarding, Health, Safety and Risk Management:
· Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with AFFC’s policy.
· Promote and maintain safe working practices in all settings.
· Carry out and follow up on relevant risk assessments as required.
Finance and Budgeting:
· Support fundraising and grant-related activity where required.
· Assist with accurate reporting and data collection relevant to service performance and funding needs.
· Complying at all times with financial procedure.
Quality Assurance:
· Engage young carers in planning, delivery, and review of services.
· Contribute to service quality improvement through reflective practice and evaluation.
· Share feedback and insights to enhance organisational learning and development.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
· Monitor and review individual progress toward goals.
· Report on service performance, impact, and trends.
· Contribute to reports for internal stakeholders and external funders or partners.
Other:
· Ensuring full compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to:
– Financial Procedures
– Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
– Equal Opportunities
– Health & Safety
– Data Protection
· Taking responsibility for self-development, identifying learning opportunities and attending relevant training.
· Actively participate in training, learning, and reflective practice opportunities.
· Be flexible in working hours to include occasional evenings and weekends as required.
· Represent AFFC professionally at all times and maintain effective external relationships.
· Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
Person Specification
Experience:
Essential
1. Experience working with young carers or with children or young people in youth work, education, mental health, or social care settings.
2. Experience providing tailored emotional and practical support to young people or other vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.
3. Managing a caseload and delivering one-to-one and group interventions.
4. Working collaboratively with professionals (e.g. in education, health, or social care).
Desirable
1. Experience working in or alongside education settings.
2. Developing and delivering engaging resources or session content.
3. Monitoring outcomes and reporting on service impact.
4. Experience working or volunteering in a charity or community sector organisation.
Knowledge, Training and Qualifications:
Essential
1. Understanding of the challenges faced by young carers or by other vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, and how to support their wellbeing.
2. Understanding of safeguarding children and young people, and ability to follow procedures confidently.
Desirable
1. Knowledge of school systems and young people’s emotional and social development.
2. Experience with risk assessment and managing safe practice in group settings.
3. Relevant qualifications (e.g. in youth work, social care, education, or related field).
Skills:
Essential
1. Excellent communication and active listening skills.
2. Able to assess needs, co-develop support plans, and review progress.
3. Confident with IT systems, including databases and Microsoft 365 tools.
4. Able to build trust with young people and engage with professionals.
5. Strong organisational skills; able to manage workload independently.
6. Able to maintain professional boundaries and model safe behaviour.
Personal Qualities:
Essential
1. Compassionate, patient, and non-judgemental.
2. Proactive, flexible, and adaptable to changing needs.
3. A positive, inclusive, and solution-focused approach.
4. Committed to personal learning and reflective practice.
5. Confident representing the organisation and working collaboratively.
6. Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends as needed.
7. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
