Carer Advisor (Young Carers - Aberdeenshire)

Carer Advisor (Young Carers) – Aberdeenshire Carers Service

VSA has an exciting opportunity to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as a Carer Advisor. You will work with young carers and their families across North/Central Aberdeenshire. This is a full-time, permanent role offering a competitive salary and benefits.

VSA's Aberdeenshire Carers Service supports adults, children and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire. As a locally based organisation, we have an in-depth understanding of the people and communities we support. We take a localised approach to all our information, advice and carer services.

We are network partners with the National Carer Organisations, Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers. This helps us stay informed on matters relating to unpaid carers.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £14.15 p/h

Location: Working from Home

Travel Requirements: Although this role is home-based, regular travel is required across North/Central Aberdeenshire. This will include school visits, home visits to young carers and their families, and community engagement sessions/drop-ins within the localities supported by this role.

A full driving licence and access to your own transport are essential for this role.

Work Pattern: Working 5 days per week (Monday to Friday)

Locations to be Covered: North/Central Aberdeenshire —Banff, Turriff, Huntly, Alford and Inverurie school clusters.

We offer our staff fantastic benefits including:

• Company pension
• Employee assistance programme
• Generous annual leave
• Refer a friend programme — receive £225 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA
• Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
• Gain recognised SCQF Qualifications
• Access to our employee discount scheme

About the role:

You will make an effective contribution to the provision of appropriate information, advice, support, guidance, and access to services and social opportunities for young carers in Aberdeenshire, according to their changing needs, working both individually and in groups. You will also support the carer in preparing a Young Carer's Statement in accordance with relevant carers legislation.

Responsibilities of our Carer Advisor will include:

• Work alongside young people referred to the service to understand the impact of their caring role and complete a Young Carer's Statement where appropriate.
• Raise awareness among professionals of the role young carers undertake, their statutory rights and their support needs
• Collate and share information about local services, ensuring young carers can safely access and understand the information provided.
• Work within a designated school cluster/locality, delivering talks in schools and youth groups to raise awareness of carers' issues and the support available.
• Advise, guide and support young carers on a one-to-one and group basis, taking on an advocacy role where required
• Facilitate group activities, social opportunities, and training or educational events based on the needs and wishes of young carers.
• Identify ongoing unmet needs among young carers and explore appropriate ways to address these within available resources.
• Regularly review young carers' needs as their circumstances change, ensuring the support and information provided remains relevant and appropriate.
• Explore and develop effective communication and informal networks with young carers, volunteers, groups and partner agencies.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks within the scope and capability of the role

What we are looking for in our Carer Advisor:

Qualifications/Training/Education:
Essential:

• Awareness and understanding of the role of unpaid carers

Desirable:

• A qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or Teaching, or relevant post-qualifying training, e.g. safeguarding.
• Awareness and knowledge of current legislation relating to children and child protection issues, e.g. the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, and disability issues, e.g. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Experience:
Essential:

• Experience of working with young people and youth issues.

Desirable:

• Relevant post qualifying training e.g. Safeguarding & Child Protection.
• Experience of working with carers.

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

Essential:

• Ability to relate to young people.
• Well developed interpersonal skills e.g. communication, listening, counselling and negotiating skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Good IT skills
• Insight when dealing with conflicting demands.
  

Personal Qualities:
Essential:

• Ability to use own initiative.
• Self-reliance, and ability to work under pressure.

Desirable:

• Appreciation of Community Care issues.

Other Job Requirements:

Essential:

• Flexible approach to working hours- availability to work evening and weekend (on a planned basis).
• To ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults whilst adhering to current legislation and national/local policies and guidelines.
• Observe Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy as per Agency procedures and adhere to Child Protection guidelines.
• Observe Adult Support & Protection Policy as per Agency procedure and Aberdeenshire H&SCP Adult Support & Protection Procedures
• Full and Clean Driving License and access to a vehicle.
  
  

If our Carer Advisor role sounds like you, then click “Apply” below and start your career journey with VSA today!