You can help us make a positive difference to the lives of local Young Carers in our community. We are developing an exciting new offer for Young Carers in West Essex which is funded by the National Lottery for the next 5 years. We have an exciting professional development opportunity to lead delivery of the project, identifying priorities and directing support to where it can make the greatest impact. If you are passionate about supporting children and young people, have experience working in an education, youth, social care or community setting and of project delivery, please get in touch.
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 hold Trusted Charity status. We provide information, befriending, counselling, Young Carers clubs, Activity Groups and Day Care across Essex, working within schools, with GP practices and in a variety of community settings.
Young Carers Lead
(West Essex)
Working with Young Carers aged 8-18
Location: Hybrid working with office base at Wych Elm, Harlow.
Starting salary: £ 25,534
Hours to be negotiated from 21-35 hours per week
Your role will be to drive positive change for Young Carers across West Essex:
- Lead on the identification of needs and priorities for Young Carers and their families.
- Understand local strengths and gaps in provision.
- Deliver one to one and group support for and with Young Carers in schools and other community settings.
- Work with schools, colleges, health and social care providers to help achieve positive outcomes.
- Support the positive transition of Young Carers as they become Young Adult Carer.
You will need to be:
- Passionate about helping disadvantaged young people.
- Skilled and experienced in working with children and young people,
- Able to manage complex cases including safeguarding issues.
- Confident in working with groups and promoting the service.
We offer:
- Full induction and relevant training.
- 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 applications: Friday 31st May 2024
If you are interested in this role place apply ASAP. AFFC reserves the right to bring forward the deadline.
To find out more about the roles please feel free to call our Young Carers Service Manager Chris Vince on 07702 858656 for an informal discussion
Action for Family Carers is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from all sections of the community. If you have difficulty reading this please call us or come into one of our offices.
Full Job Description
Role Purpose
To lead on the identification of needs and achievement of positive outcomes for Young Carers and their families across a defined geographical area
Service Delivery
- Developing comprehensive and up to date knowledge and understanding of the strengths and needs of local Young Carers and their families
- Developing comprehensive and up to date knowledge and understanding of the strengths and gaps in local provision relevant to Young Carers and their families
- Engaging with Young Carers and their families to obtain appropriate consent, to assess needs and to agree on any intervention, activities, onward referral or signposting
- Putting health, wellbeing and positive outcomes for Young Carers at the centre of all activity including challenging inappropriate caring roles
- Directly delivering a caseload of one to one and group support for and with Young Carers in schools and other community settings
- Overseeing the delivery of the Young Carers Club Nights.
- Acting as a local advocate for improving Young Carer outcomes including via active participation in local networks and forums
- Establishing positive working relationships with key local stakeholders e.g. schools, colleges, health and social care providers etc.
- Supporting the positive transition of Young Carers as they become Young Adult Carers
- Working proactively to identify under-represented groups and address any barriers or issues affecting access to support
- Leading on the establishment and review of partnership arrangements with schools and other system partners
- Undertaking delivery venue visits and risk assessments
- Working with the Young Carers Service Manager to identify and agree local service priorities and activities to address these
- Leading on provision of local Young Carer information and feedback to funders, steering groups and relevant local networks
- Maintaining accurate and up to date information on the client database.
- Leading on local awareness raising activity related to Young Carers
- Supporting efforts to raise funds via grant applications and local fundraising activity
- Supporting efforts to promote the Charity and its services across the community.
- Carrying out any other duties as directed by the Chief Executive Officer
People
- Supporting colleagues, providing cover when required
- Supervising and motivating local Young Carer volunteers
- Communicating and engaging with colleagues across the Charity
Finance and Budgeting
- Comply at all times with financial procedures
- Keep accurate records of expenditure
- Work with Young Carers Service Manager to ensure spend within budget
Quality Assurance
- Complying with organisational and service quality standards and procedures
- Leading on local engagement with service users, with staff and volunteers in driving quality improvement
- Contributing to organisational quality assurance activity
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Leading on identifying and collecting local evidence of impact and outcomes
- Contributing to reports for funders, website and social media
- Supporting efforts to identify needs and share learning
Health, Safety & Risk Management
- 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.
Personal Statement
Experience
Essential
- Working with vulnerable and/or disadvantaged children or young people
- At least six months experience working within an education environment
- Working within a social care or community environment
- Experience of managing projects & complex cases including safeguarding issues
Desirable
- Experience of delivering presentations or training and developing resource packs
- Experience managing complex cases including safeguarding issues
- Previously work within a school/college environment
- Experience of producing monitoring and statistical reports
- Experience of carrying out needs assessments for service users
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Knowledge of issues related to working with vulnerable children and young people
- Knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures
- Knowledge and understanding of school environments
- Knowledge of working within the philosophy and ethos of a charity
Desirable
- Knowledge of issues faced by Carers/Young Carers
- Knowledge of the education and youth service structures and systems
- Knowledge of local support networks within the Essex locality
- Understanding of public sector funding and monitoring systems
- An understanding of the challenges facing Young Adult Carers
- An understanding of the geographical area covered by this role
Skills and Qualifications
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing at all levels and in a variety of styles and settings
- Educated to A level or equivalent (e.g. NVQ3)
- Excellent literacy and numeracy skills
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- The ability to use online meeting platforms such as Microsoft teams.
- The ability to research, collate and evaluate information
- The ability to build relationships and external networks for the benefit of the organisation
Desirable
- Degree/NVQ level 4 or equivalent in management, health, education, community care or advice and guidance setting
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- A sympathetic attitude towards and understanding of the needs of Young Carers.
- A positive attitude and the ability to motivate and empower others.
- Ability to manage a complex and demanding workload
- Own vehicle available for use at work, with appropriate insurance cover.
- Can work on their own initiative and has the ability to respect confidentiality
- Competent, reliable and conscientious
- Ability to work flexibly, including attendance at occasional evening and weekend activities.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
