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.

As a Senior Practitioner, I take responsibility for my own work and have a responsibility in assisting or supervising others in the team to achieve the overall team/service outcomes. I have a lead role in developing my part of the service/project.

I am responsible for one-to-one support including carrying a case load and developing and reviewing personal support plans; I work autonomously being able to judge when I refer to my Manager and I take a lead role in developing the service.

I work mainly on a one-to-one basis in the community and/or in people’s homes; and I may support group and other activities in the Change Mental Health Resource Centre – although one to one support is my main focus.

I support the Locality, Service and Area Managers, in their strategic role to meet national and funder criteria. I work l closely with partners in the community to identify gaps in the service where they arise and implement solutions in partnership with my line manager.

What I do and what I achieve

· I work closely with the Project Manager, Locality Manager or Area Manager to achieve strategic outcomes

· I compile and review service user development plans ensuring outcomes are being achieved

· I establish supportive relationships with each individual, encouraging individual responsibility and decision-making to maximise choice, control and self-management.

· I ensure that people I support are connected to other Change Mental Health services in the area as appropriate

· I provide advice and guidance to new or less experienced employees in my own area of responsibility

· My focus is ensuring continuity of service within the context of Change Mental Health values and strategic outcomes

· I ensure that careful and ongoing review systems are in place and maintained

· I build positive working relationships with local partners to better support our service users and to promote the work of Change Mental Health

· I develop new services/approaches in response to unmet need

· I collate information and prepare agency reports for line management as required

· I have a lead role to oversee that all Health and Safety responsibilities within practice settings are fulfilled

Who I am

· I am educated to SVQ 3 level or have experience working in mental health

· I work well in a team setting but can also work autonomously

· I have a sound theory base of social care interventions including risk assessment

· My value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Change Mental Health

· I apply an analytical approach to problems in order to find solutions

· I am competent in planning and reviewing development plans and taking appropriate action if needed

· My I.T skills are of a good standard

· I recognise the importance of providing professional support and supervision to practitioners

· I have a sound knowledge of Health and Social care policy in Scotland and can apply this to my role

· I am keen to develop my knowledge and skills and attend training as required

I may also have

· Experience of delivering a Registered Service and meeting SSSC requirements

General Duties

· Act in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies

· Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

· As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist

· To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns

· To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role

· To support and enable our dedicated teams of volunteers in the delivery of the charity’s aims

· To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies

· This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

Could you be Key?

Being a support worker is a role where you can make every day matter. It's a job with challenges that make your heart beat faster, where you can give something of yourself and empower amazing people on their journey through life.

At key we support disabled people of all ages to make every day matter.

We are passionate about being the very best employer we can be, ensuring our staff feel well supported and valued in their roles. As well as being part of a supportive, local team you will be eligible for:

• Main Grade Hourly Rate £12.50 (Induction and Relief Register Hourly Rate £12)
• Sleepover hourly rate of £12.00.
• Competitive annual leave and company sick pay.
• Annual SSSC fees paid for all contracted support workers
• Enhanced pay for work on targeted Public Holidays.
• Paid Membership of Disclosure Scotland’s PVG Scheme.
• Full, in-depth training for your role.
• Fully funded SVQ qualification with support provided to achieve this.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free confidential counselling, advice and support on a wide range of issues.
• A Workplace Pension.
• Free access to occupational health support.
• Credit Union Membership.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Costco Membership.
• Blue Light Card/Blue Light Ticket registration which offer a range of discounts and savings.
• Concerts for Carers registration.

Join us and make every day matter! Support Workers and Relief Support Workers.

No experience necessary! Training and support will be given to help you achieve your full potential.

If you would like to get involved in support work but cannot commit to a contract due to other commitments, we also have opportunities for you to complement our existing workers by joining our relief register of bank support workers. This will mean you can work in a way that best suits you and fits with your life.