Job Description Job Title: Responsible to: Salary: Hours: Term: Young Carers Support Worker Head of Project Development 17,430 per annum & 5% Pension 30 hours per week (including some evening & weekend working) 3 year fixed term contract (in the first instance) Job Purpose: To work with schools, colleges, children s services and other organisations to ensure that all of Sefton s young carers are, identified, have their needs assessed, and have a personal support plan which ensures that they are not required to provide inappropriate or excessive care whilst being enabled to; o Maintain their own health and wellbeing o Enjoy their childhood and teenage years o Achieve in education o Move into employment or training This role will have a particular focus on young carers caring for 20 hours or less per week. Key duties and tasks 1. Engage and involve young carers, parents, and partner organisations in the planning, development and evaluation of the service. 2. Ensure the effective delivery of our service model so that young carers are identified, have their needs assessed and are provided with a support plan which provides access to personalized coordinated care and support, and to health and wellbeing services which will enable them to achieve their full potential. 3. Ensure that individual support plans are reviewed on a regular basis in all tiers. 4. Create individual crisis plans which support young carers in an emergency. 5. Build effective long term partnerships with schools and colleges, encouraging and supporting them to identify young carers and to implement the Young Carers in Schools /Colleges Programme and to achieve the Young Carers in Schools/Colleges Award. 6. Plan and deliver activities, outings, and therapeutic one-to-one and group sessions which 1
are designed to provide respite from the caring role and to build carer knowledge, confidence, self-esteem, resilience and emotional wellbeing. 7. Provide guidance, information and identify services which can support the needs of carers and their families 8. Ensure that young carers are assisted at key moments of transition including between primary and secondary school, children s and adult services and are supported to enter further education, higher education, training or employment 9. Work in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure a joined up multiagency, whole family approach to the assessment of need and delivery of services to young carers and their families, offering advice, guidance and information as appropriate. 10. Through presentations and attendance at events raise awareness amongst the public, teachers and other professionals of the role and contribution of young carers and the issues and challenges they face. 11. Supported by the Volunteer Support Lead train, direct and support a small team of mentor/advocates whose role is to progress support the implementation of support plans and to connect young carers to universal services. 12. Ensure that Safeguarding standards consistently adhered to. 13. Develop knowledge and skills in all database systems including in-house systems and Sefton Council systems to meet the needs of carers and commissioners of services. 14. Maintain clear and accurate case notes upon all young carers in compliance with the organisation s casework recording procedures. 15. Maintain and develop knowledge of legislation and local and national policies to ensure carers, and those they care for, are fully informed of their rights 16. Attend, and positively contribute to, regular and recorded Supervision / Support sessions in accordance with organisational guidelines and requirements. 17. Ensure all other aspects of relevant organisational / legal requirements (Health & Safety etc.) are fully adhered to, in line with organisational policy and procedure. 18. Participate in continuing professional development through training, education and supervision. Health and Safety It is the general duty of every employee to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others and to co-operate with management in meeting its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Any failure to take such care, or the contravention of safety policy or managerial instructions may result in disciplinary action being taken. Confidentiality All staff are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and the general public. Data Protection 2
All staff are expected to adhere to the regulations regarding the Data Protection Act and any related or new legislation in accordance with the Carers Centre s policies and procedures. Variation The postholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. Some duties may be subject to variation changes and will only be made after consultation with the postholder. Policy and Procedure Expectations Employees are required to comply with the data protection, health and safety and safeguarding protocols and all further procedures of Sefton Carers Centre. Employees are required to comply with Sefton Carers Centre s policies and procedures relating to equality and `diversity. Employees are required to maintain confidentiality of all information and records relating to the work of the project and Sefton Carers Centre. Supervision, Training and Development Employees are required to participate in regular supervision, appraisal and personal and staff development planning sessions, as required. Other Terms A group pension scheme comprising 5% employer contribution of gross salary. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS Enhanced Disclosure and Right to Work in the UK document compliance. 3
Person Specification Young Carer Support Worker Qualifications Essential Desirable CQSW or equivalent x Experience Essential Desirable Minimum of 2 years experience of direct work with children and young people ( aged 5 17 years ) Experience of working within a Whole Family Approach and Early Help Assessment and interventions Experience of working with a variety of health and social care agencies including schools and colleges Experience of assessing the needs of children & young people and developing support plans Experience of managing a caseload Experience of providing advocacy support in either a group or individual context Experience of managing or working with volunteers Knowledge Essential Desirable Knowledge and understanding of current legislation affecting young carers An understanding of the importance of Safeguarding procedures and how to respond to concerns Knowledge of the Young Carers in Schools/Colleges Programme Knowledge and understanding of care management processes Good working knowledge of Sefton and its communities 4
Awareness of principles of equal opportunities and a commitment to anti-discriminatory/anti-oppressive practice Awareness of Health and Safety at Work legislation and its requirements Skills Essential Desirable Good assessment skills Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Ability to liaise at all levels Good self-management skills, with an ability to work under own initiative Ability and commitment to maintaining confidentiality of information relating to the organization Excellent ability to use and understand information technology (Windows Office packages) Personal Attributes Essential Desirable Ability to work with people in a sensitive way Ability to work effectively within a team Commitment to continually develop and update professional knowledge Commitment to professional development Willing to work flexibly across the week including some evening and weekend working 5