Young Carers Officer
Job Description
Accountable to: Operations Manager/CEO
Hours of work: 35 hours per week including regular evening & occasional overnight/ weekend work
Salary: £25,571 – $27,379 per annum (depending on experience)
Part-time or job share will be considered
Purpose of the Post
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic person who believes in the potential of young people to join our Young Carers Support Service. As part of a small team you will assist our Young Carers to explore and action their issues and caring roles in creative, supportive ways.
We are looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated applicants with excellent communication skills, who can demonstrate a commitment to partnership working and an understanding of the issues facing Young Carers. The successful applicant will be responsible for working with existing partners, and developing new partnerships, to provide a range of services to Young Carers in both an educational setting and through regular evening groups, holiday activities and residential breaks.
Areas of Accountability & Key Responsibilities
• Use tools developed by Stirling Carers Centre, in line with the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and GIRFEC agenda, to assess the impact of the caring role and the support needs of individual Young Carers and to develop an individual support plan in response to this. Individual support plans will be reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Provide appropriate levels of support to individuals and groups of Young Carers in school, group and short breaks settings, and through telephone and email support.
• Act as a key contact with Young Carers in schools to help them address difficulties/inequalities experienced due to their caring role, e.g. attendance, attainment, behaviour, emotional and physical health, and well-being.
• Liaise with school Young Carers Co-ordinators and other key school staff to maintain effective communication regarding supporting Young Carers in schools
• Design, develop and implement an educational programme for schools to improve awareness raising, identification and support of Young Carers and ‘hidden’ Young Carers in schools.
• Support the development of in-school groups in partnership with education staff
• Raise awareness of the needs of Young Carers in schools through facilitation of class sessions, presentations at school assemblies, information stalls at parents’ evenings and any other relevant means.
• Publicise and promote Young Carers’ activities
• Assist with the assessment and processing of new referrals to the service, as required
• Liaise with voluntary, statutory and health agencies, as appropriate, to:
> Identify and support Young Carers
> Identify opportunities for co-working
• Record all requests for support and contacts with Young Carers, their parents/guardians or any professionals using the case management system.
• Conduct regular monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of the project, involving teachers, other professionals, Young Carers and their parents/guardians.
• Consult with teachers, pupils, parents/guardians and other workers on the project/service delivery, and on any local or national issues on a regular basis. Record this feedback to support the service review and plan services for the future.
• Provide regular written reports on progress to the Senior Management Team, Board of Directors and funders as required.
• Ensure that outcomes, indicators and impacts are measured in line with targets set by funders and Scottish Government, and contribute to formal 6 monthly reports as required.
• Carry out duties of the post in line with equal opportunity and child protection policies.
• Prepare regular work plans in agreement with the Senior Management Team.
• Participate in regular supervision, performance reviews and team meetings with Senior Management Team and other Centre staff.
• Plan annual leave in conjunction with other team members and around key annual milestones within the service and wider Centre.
• Seek personal support and opportunities for self-development where appropriate.
• Represent the organisation as appropriate at external events, partnership meetings and conferences.
• Undertake any other duties necessary to support and further the aims and objectives of the service and wider Centre.
Stirling Carers Centre is committed to high standards of organisational and operational practice. It operates a continuous quality improvement programme to provide services of the highest possible standard.
Stirling Carers Centre strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthy work environment.
Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Person Specification
Skills, knowledge and experience required for the post:
Desirable
• Relevant diploma/degree or equivalent – Desirable
Essential
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with young people aged 7-18 years old
• Experience of partnership working with external agencies/organisations
• Experience of using databases, Microsoft Office packages and managing administration systems
Desirable
• A proven ability to engage directly with young people and understand the kinds of support and information they require
• Experience in the design and delivery of learning sessions to young people
• Ability to provide a basic advocacy service for Young Carers
Essential
• Excellent planning and organisational skills including ability to ensure achievement of deadlines
• Ability to use initiative, organise workload and work unsupervised
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work as part of a team and be a proactive team player
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise and work successfully with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to drive a car, access to a car and appropriate business class insurance
Desirable
• Understanding of the voluntary sector and empathy towards Unpaid Carers and their circumstances
Essential
• Flexibility with hours and working arrangements (home/office based). The post will involve some evening, weekend and overnight work.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of confidentiality and Equal Opportunities practice
Desirable
• A knowledge and understanding of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the GIRFEC model and agenda.
