Carer Support Coordinator Community

Carer Support Coordinator - Community

Reporting Line: Team Leader – Community

Hours/Contract Term: 37.5 hrs/Permanent

DBS: Enhanced DBS

Location: Community based and working from home

Salary: £24,864

Would you like to be part of a dynamic, developing, and supportive team, committed to supporting the needs of Carers?

Carers' Support East Kent is a charity that provides Carers with the information and support they need. Our services are available to people looking after a relative or friend, who due to physical or mental illness, age related difficulties, disability, or an addiction, cannot manage without their support.

About this role

We are looking for someone to work in our community team supporting the delivery of our service contracts that makes an important contribution to the range of Carers' services provided across East Kent. The post holder is responsible for providing appropriate up to date information, support and assessment to Carers to support them in their caring role.

The post holder should understand the needs of unpaid Carers and the challenges they face. If you would like to work as part of a team offering information and support to those who care (unpaid) for a relative, friend or neighbour, who otherwise could not manage due to physical or mental illness, addiction, or disability we would like to hear from you.

We are committed to providing consistently high-quality services to Carers, and to reaching Carers who may face problems in finding the help they need to carry on Caring.

Core duties

· Work with Carers to identify their needs, and support options to meet those needs

· Build a rapport with Carers and maintain contact using their preferred communication method (including telephone, e-mail, skype, face to face sessions)

· Empower Carers considering their views and feelings in relation to their care, support and treatment, or that of the person they are caring for

· Support Carers to develop confidence and skills to enable them to empower themselves and self -advocate

· Liaise with other organisations and agencies on behalf of Carers

· Process and make referrals to and from other agencies (both statutory and non-statutory)

· Complete Carer's assessments and review assessments and support plans in line with the Carers Policy, the Care Act and organisational procedures

· To undertake Carer's Assessments there is a requirement to visit Carers at home as a lone worker, and to work from a variety of locations in the community

· Assess Carers eligibility to access funded support, such as the CCG funded Primary Care Rapid Access Service and grants

· Provide advice and guidance in relation to benefits and practical assistance to complete associated forms

· Undertake low level advocacy on behalf of Carers

· Plan, organise and facilitate support groups, activities and events for Carers across the region

· Attend and contribute to networking events across the region to promote the service, raise awareness of Carers and their needs and identify hidden Carers

· Record Carer contact and support information on database and information systems within agreed timeframes

· Provide examples of impact of support to Carers using case studies and evaluation tools.

· Contribute to Carers newsletters and promotional materials

· Carry out risk assessments as required

· Attend MDMs and other statutory meetings

About Carers' Support East Kent

Carers' Support East Kent is a charity that provides Carers with the information and support they need. Our services are available to people looking after a relative or friend, who due to physical or mental illness, age related difficulties, disability or an addiction, cannot manage without their support.

Caring can be rewarding but also challenging. Each situation is different, but we know that caring brings practical, physical and emotional challenges. We care about the health and well-being of Carers and provide information, support and signposting/referral to services to help with those challenges.

We are committed to providing consistently high-quality services to Carers, and to reaching Carers who may face problems in finding the help they need to carry on Caring.

To be considered for the role please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter including a supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining your suitability for the role according to the person specific. We cannot consider applicants if these are not provided

Valid Driving Licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes, to be insured for business use purposes is essential for this post

Please do not apply if you have applied for this post less than 6 months

We may close this job opportunity early if we receive enough applications.

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Carer Support Coordinator - Community

SALARY: £24,864

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent

DBS: Enhanced DBS

HOURS: 37.5 hrs per week

EMPLOYED BY: Carers' Support East Kent

RESPONSIBLE TO: Team Leader - Community

LOCATION: East Kent Community & working from homeHybrid working role - This role requires regular travel across East Kent

OVERALL, JOB PURPOSE

This post is vital to the delivery of our service contracts and makes an important contribution to the range of Carers' services provided across East Kent. The post holder is responsible for providing appropriate up to date information, support and assessment to Carers to support them in their caring role.

CARER SUPPORT COORDINATOR - COMMUNITY KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CORE DUTIES

· Provide emotional support (not counselling) and information and advice to Carers

· Work with Carers to identify their needs, and support options to meet those needs

· Build a rapport with Carers and maintain contact using their preferred communication method (including telephone, e-mail, skype, face to face sessions)

· Empower Carers considering their views and feelings in relation to their care, support and treatment, or that of the person they are caring for

· Support Carers to develop confidence and skills to enable them to empower themselves and self -advocate

· Liaise with other organisations and agencies on behalf of Carers

· Process and make referrals to and from other agencies (both statutory and non-statutory)

· Complete Carer's assessments and review assessments and support plans in line with the Carers Policy, the Care Act and organisational procedures

· To undertake Carer's Assessments there is a requirement to visit Carers at home as a lone worker, and to work from a variety of locations in the community

· Assess Carers eligibility to access funded support, such as the CCG funded Primary Care Rapid Access Service and grants

· Provide advice and guidance in relation to benefits and practical assistance to complete associated forms

· Undertake low level advocacy on behalf of Carers

· Plan, organise and facilitate support groups, activities and events for Carers across the region

· Attend and contribute to networking events across the region to promote the service, raise awareness of Carers and their needs and identify hidden Carers

· Record Carer contact and support information on database and information systems within agreed timeframes

· Provide examples of impact of support to Carers using case studies and evaluation tools.

· Contribute to Carers newsletters and promotional materials

· Carry out risk assessments as required

· Attend MDMs and other statutory meetings

Working in Partnership

· Establish and maintain positive relationships with statutory and non-statutory agencies to facilitate coordinated support to Carers and those that they care for.

· Attend and contribute to meetings with partners from both statutory and non-statutory agencies.

· Promote Carers Support East Kent and Carers Support East Kent through providing talks and presentations to other agencies

Behaviours & Personal Development

• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and events on a regular basis to share experience, information and contribute to service planning and development

· Ensure all organisational policies and procedures are adhered to, including (but not limited to) Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Health & Safety, including lone working

· Take personal responsibility for keeping abreast with internal policy updates and of new or emerging legislation, policy and best practice in areas of health & social care of relevance to Carers

· Share responsibility for own development and training with line manager, taking up opportunities provided and applying learning to practice

To support high demand or staff shortages in our other departments, the Single Point of Access and Health, the post holder will on occasions be required to be flexible and help cover these departments when required

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to reflect a range of duties the post holder will perform. The job description will be reviewed annually and may be amended following discussion with the post holder, to consider changes and developments.

Any appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Confidentiality

Due to the nature of this work the post holder will often be party to highly confidential and very personal matters – they must therefore be committed and able to always maintain the very highest standards of confidentiality.

Person specification

Experience

Essential

Good standard of literacy & numeracy

Experience of working with people with care needs and/or Carers

Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive matters

Experience of working to policies and procedures

Desirable

Experience of working with and supporting people experiencing financial challenges

Qualifications

Essential

A good standard of general education, literacy and numeracy

Ability to demonstrate relevant experience

Desirable

NVQ/QCF in a relevant subject e.g. Health & Social Care, Advice & Guidance

Knowledge

Essential

Awareness of the needs of Carers and those with care needs

Experience of using Microsoft Office programmes and database or information systems

An awareness of the voluntary and statutory sectors

Desirable

Some understanding of key issues and developments across Health & Social Care

Knowledge of welfare benefits and services available to Carers

Awareness of how care funding works and applies to Carers and those with care needs

Knowledge of current legislation and developments relating to the Care Act

Knowledge of Carer's rights

Knowledge of energy support available

Skills and abilities

Essential

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to manage difficult and emotional situations empathetically and be approachable and non-judgemental.

Ability to develop positive professional relationships with other services/organisations

Highly organised working methods with an ability to write and update clear & accurate records

Ability to use IT effectively including email, Microsoft Office programmes e.g. Word, Excel, Teams and experience of using data bases

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to use your initiative and work independently and as part of a team

Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload/competing demands.

Solution focussed / problem solving ability

Emotional & physical resilience, ability to readily adapt to changing situations and the management of day-to-day work pressures

Good self-awareness and commitment to continuous professional development

Committed and enthusiastic

Decision Making & Mental Skills

Essential

Problem solving skills

Emotional & physical resilience, ability to readily adapt to changing situations and the management of day-to-day work pressures

Experience of providing information to enable individuals to make informed choices.

Ability to assess needs and involve individuals in decision making and support planning.

Desirable

Experience of providing support involving complex family dynamics and relationships that have a bearing on the lives of Carers

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Essential

Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative

Ability to empathise with Carers circumstances and manage emotional and difficult situations

Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people

Personal Qualities

Essential

Integrity (high standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness to help to deliver an excellent service to Carers)

Strong interpersonal skills, approachable, open and non-judgemental, ability to develop rapport with Carers, co-workers and professionals

Service focused (to respond to the needs of Carers in a timely and appropriate manner to maintain the required level of service)

Committed and enthusiastic

Organised and flexible

Physical Skills

Essential

Ability to sustain a demanding work schedule, lone working and work outside office hours if required

Initiative & Independence

Essential

Ability to work independently, organise, plan and manage own workload

Ability to prioritise work and deal with competing demands

Ability to liaise effectively and to influence others in a professional manner

Other Skills & Competencies

Essential

Able to follow processes and record data and information accurately

Awareness and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity, able to work to our high organisational standards and meaningful application of these principles in relation to carers, work colleagues and other organisations

Other

Valid Driving Licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes, to be insured for business use purposes.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Pay: £24,864.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sandwich CT13

Application deadline: 05/12/2025