VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian is a carer-led organisation delivering a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. We are seeking an experienced and motivated manager to lead and develop our Wee Breaks service across Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders, the Wee Breaks Service Manager will oversee the strategic and operational delivery of VOCAL’s short breaks service. This new role is central to ensuring that unpaid carers in both local authority areas can access flexible, person-centred short breaks that support wellbeing and sustain caring relationships. The postholder will play a key role in delivering services in line with current statutory duties and preparing for future changes linked to the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

This is a varied and evolving role that includes staff, budget and contract management. The postholder will work closely with local partners and colleagues to ensure a high quality, consistent service that can adapt and expand as demand grows in response to carer needs and national developments.

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate:

• significant experience of managing services across multiple locations
• strong knowledge and understanding of unpaid carers’ rights and Scottish legislation
• confident people management and partnership building skills
• experience managing budgets, contracts and grants
• a collaborative, values-driven approach with a clear focus on positive outcomes for carers

VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Carer Support Practitioner to join its busy team, providing high quality casework support to unpaid carers across Midlothian.

The post holder will work directly with unpaid carers to deliver person centred, outcomes focused support, helping them to navigate their caring situation and access appropriate support for their health and wellbeing, personal development, and wider life goals.

VOCAL is a carer led organisation that delivers a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. The successful candidate will work collaboratively as part of a team, contribute to improving outcomes for carers, and actively promote and maximise engagement with VOCAL services.

Applicants will demonstrate:

• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• experience of casework and person centred support
• a strong understanding of the diverse nature of caring roles, the impact of caring on people’s lives, and the barriers carers may face at different stages of the caring journey

A sound working knowledge of health and social care is essential, alongside a good understanding of how the statutory, voluntary and private sectors operate. The role also requires the ability to build effective, outcome focused relationships with other agencies and professionals to support carers holistically.

Carers of East Lothian is a values driven local charity making a real impact in the community supporting adults who care for family and friends. We have an excellent reputation, recently gaining recognition through the Carers Trust ‘Excellence for Carers’ Award and have recently secured the contract to deliver adult carer services across East Lothian for an initial two-year period and a total period of up to six years, to 2031. We are a Carer Positive Exemplary employer, as well as being Disability Confident Committed and a Living Wage employer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise Carer Support Workers and the Welfare Rights Coordinator.
• Support staff to manage caseloads effectively and provide guidance on complex cases.
• Triage new referrals and prioritise carers most in need.
• Allocate caseloads and monitor workload across the team.
• Support staff development through training, mentoring, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and audit case files to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with safeguarding and data protection standards.
• Implement quality assurance processes and address gaps in service delivery.
• Ensure adherence to organisational policies and best practice guidelines.
• Represent carers’ needs in local and national forums.
• Track team performance against KPIs and service targets.
• Produce reports on caseload management, service outcomes, and team effectiveness.
• Identify trends and recommend service improvements.
• Ensure staff follow HR policies and organisational guidelines.
• Build strong relationships with health, social care, and voluntary sector partners.
• Represent the organisation at meetings and advocate for carers.
• Contribute to service improvement projects and strategic planning.
• Work closely with the Innovation & Improvement Manager to promote best practice.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording for monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality and data protection.
• Follow CoEL policies including safeguarding and lone working.
• Participate in staff meetings and organisational development activities.

Carers of West Dunbartonshire is an innovative and value-based charity, which supports those over 18 years who look after a family member or friend due to illness, disability, frailty or addiction.

The successful candidate will be part of our existing, dynamic Carer Support Team. You will be responsible for assisting carers to access a range of support which will help them to manage their caring role.

You will be a highly motivated individual who, ideally has experience in Community Care and a good understanding of the issues relating to unpaid adult carers.