Edinburgh Young Carers (EYC) is seeking a suitably experienced applicant to join its lively, passionate team in developing the service and providing high quality support to young carers in Edinburgh between the ages of 5 and 25 years.

The post-holder will work alongside colleagues to:

• Ensure that young carers and young adult carers are identified and provided with the supportand services that they require to achieve their identified personal outcomes.
• Promote the development of a range of support services and diverse activity programmes to meet the varied needs of young carers, especially through school and community venues.
• Promote and undertake the delivery and review of Young Carer Statements and Adult Carer Support Plans to young carers and young adult carers themselves and the professionals working with them across Edinburgh.
• Ensure young carers are aware of their rights and promote and raise awareness of these rights with other organisations.
• Enable young carers to be heard, to be listened to and to contribute to the development of the Edinburgh Young Carers service.

The candidate will need to be suitably qualified and experienced in working with children and young people, with at least three years’ proven experience in a role including individual and group work.

Organisation Profile

EYC is a voluntary organisation working with and on behalf of young carers throughout Edinburgh. We are one of the largest and most well established independent young carers organisations in Scotland. We have a strong commitment to the rights of children and young people.

Benefits

We take good care of our staff and offer a benefit package including: 27 days’ annual leave plus all public holidays, 6% pension, free healthcare through Benenden Health, hybrid working, flexible hours, Cycle to Work scheme and extensive training opportunities. We are also a Carer Positive employer.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is a carer-led organisation providing a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Carer Support Practitioner to join our busy team to provide casework support to carers, with a specific focus on financial wellbeing as part of the Safe and Warm project. Through tailored advice and practical support, the post holder will ensure that carers and the individuals they care for can navigate the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis, fuel poverty, and safety risks such as carbon monoxide exposure.

The post holder will support unpaid carers to access person-centred support for their caring situation, health and wellbeing and personal development.

The post-holder will be expected to work as part of a team, improve outcomes for carers and maximise uptake of VOCAL services.

Applicants will evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey.

Applicants will also evidence: experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support, with some experience in providing information and support on energy efficiency and energy-saving measures; excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers; digital competence; and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, carer groups, partner agencies and professionals.

The Digital and Communications Officer role is a pivotal position within VOCAL’s Communications Team. Reporting directly to the Head of Digital and Communications, this is a fast-paced and varied role requiring excellent communication and collaboration with other team members.

The Communications Team aims to develop and expand VOCAL’s reach to increase carer awareness and identification, promote carer engagement and VOCAL’s services, and to build cross sector partnerships and synergies. The role is multi-dimensional and is responsible for supporting different areas of the communications mix, including: social media, web, design, marketing materials, and email marketing.

As part of their role, the postholder will: support the implementation of VOCAL’s communications strategy; work with teams across VOCAL, and with external partners, to develop content which provides information and advice to carers and key stakeholders; develop VOCAL’s digital presence, monitoring social media platforms, conducting website updates and issuing email marketing communications; and provide administrative support for communications activities.

The successful candidate will evidence: knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite packages (InDesign and Photoshop); knowledge of content management systems to update website content and images; and an understanding of data protection and how it applies to communications activity.

They will also demonstrate: confidence and ability to work on own initiative, as well as take direction; excellent verbal and written communications skills; excellent IT skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and manage a busy workload with competing priorities; good teamwork and a collaborative approach, with the ability to form effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.