Carer Advisor

VSA currently have an exciting opportunity available to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as a Carer Advisor working with Young Carers and their Families across Aberdeenshire (North and South Aberdeenshire). This will be a **Part-time, Permanent** position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.

VSA's Aberdeenshire carers service, supports adults, children, and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire.

The advantage of our information and support is that we are a local based organisation. We have an in-depth understanding of the people of Aberdeenshire and take a localised approach to all our information and carers services.

We are also network partners with the National Carers Organisations, Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers which keeps us briefed with all matters relating to unpaid carers.

**Hours: 25 hours per week**

**Rate of Pay: £13.34 per hour**

**Location: Working from Home (however this role will include home visits to Carers and their families as well as community engagement sessions/drop in's, which will be delivered in and around the localities this role supports). A drivers license and access to your own transport is essential for this role.**

**Work Pattern: Working 3.5 days per week (must be able to work a Wednesday 9am-2pm, but can be flexible regarding the other days worked)**

**Locations to be Covered: South Aberdeenshire - Mearns, Stonehaven, Portlethen, Kemnay, Inverurie Clusters & North Aberdeenshire - Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Ellon, Mintlaw Clusters.**

**We offer our staff fantastic benefits including**:

- Company pension
- Employee assistance programme
- Generous annual leave
- Refer a friend programme - Receive £200 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 on an individual and group work basis. You will also support the carer in preparing a Young Carer's Statement/ Adult Carers Support plan in accordance with relevant carers legislation.

**Responsibilities of our Carer Advisor will include**:

- Work alongside young people/ adults referred to service and establish impact of their caring role & complete young carers statement/ adult carers support plan as appropriate
- Raising awareness of the role undertaken by people as carers, their statutory rights & their needs, amongst those professionals who plan and manage services.
- Collating and disseminating information on services available locally, and providing an information resource giving details of such services which can be safely accessed by young carers, and understood by them.
- Work within a designated School Cluster group/ locality giving talks to young people in schools and youth groups to raise awareness of carers' issues and to provide information about services available to young carers.
- Advising, guiding and supporting young carers both on a one to one and group basis, taking on an advocacy role when required.
- Facilitating group activities, social and training/educational events as determined by the needs and wishes of the young carers.
- Investigating the nature and extent of on-going unmet needs of young carers, and determining ways of meeting these needs in accordance with available resources.
- Regularly reviewing needs of young carers in the light of changing and evolving circumstances, ensuring that support and information given is relevant and appropriate.
- Exploring and developing effective communication and informal networks amongst a wide range of individuals, including young carers, volunteers, groups and agencies.
- Any other tasks which may arise from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the post-holder's capabilities.

**What we are looking for in our Carers 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 Relevant post qualifying training e.g. safeguarding
- Awareness and knowledge of current legislation relating to Children and Child Protection issues e.g. the Children's Act (Scotland) 1995, and to 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, lis