• Are you an enthusiastic and ambitious self-starter?

• Do you have an appetite for and previous research experience?

• Are you passionate about supporting members of your local community to live well and improve access to support services ?

• Do you have an understanding of managing long-term conditions?

• Do you have Knowledge of Self-Directed Support (Scotland) Act 2013?

If yes...then our exciting new Research and Engagement Officer role could be the right opportunity for you!

Funded by Alliance Scotland, the Research and Engagement Officer will play a key role in supporting the Business Development Officer in the planning and delivery of a sustained, effective programme of policy work and engagement with Carers, Young Carers and other external stakeholders. This post will place an emphasis on consultation, lived experience of those with a long-term condition and the rights of Carers and Young Carers in Highland.

If you have any informal questions about the role, please contact Mary our Head of Operations & Development on 0742 369 2556 or mcook@connectingcarers.org.uk

About us

Angus Carers Centre is a rights-based charity working with and for unpaid carers from all walks of life living across Angus. We exist to improve the quality of life for all carers by building genuine and equal relationships, connecting carers with each other to create a sense of belonging and community, providing practical and emotional supports, and influencing change at local and national level.

Established in 1996, we have grown significantly over the last 25 years, and we are now supporting nearly 2,000 unpaid adult and young carers across Angus. Our talented and passionate team of 25 staff and over 20 volunteers ensure the needs of our carers are meet. Together with our volunteers we strive to provide a first-class service to carers and their families, to make a lasting difference to their lives.

Our vision is that all unpaid carers in Angus will receive appropriate information and support to enable them to feel valued and confident in their caring situation and to develop their own potential.

Why should you consider applying?

The social, political and policy horizon is changing, and we need to ensure that we provide the right support at the right time. We are entering a new and exciting chapter, and there has never been a better time to join our organisation.

You will form part of the Leadership Team. You will be making an impact by building authentic and empowering relationships with our dedicated and change-driven teams supporting unpaid carers, their families and partner organisations. You will lead on the development of our service demonstrating its impact and added value. But most importantly, you will put the voice of carers at the centre of what we do.

Reporting to the CEO, you will have a positive non-judgemental regard and help unpaid carers exercise their rights and support them to realise their potential.

Job overview

The postholder will:

• Lead, recruit, and support volunteers to ensure they are motivated, and feel valued and respected making a lasting difference in our communities.

• Develop volunteering strategy, ensuring it is inclusive, future-focused, and carers-centered.

• Promote and champion the role of volunteers by building and maintaining relationships with key partners, local organisations, and influencers.

• Provide safe, nurturing, and developmental support supervision to a team of volunteers.

• Design, deliver and evaluate volunteering activities ensuring they align with local need and organisational vision.

• Continuously evidence and communicate the impact of volunteering, internally and externally to further demonstrate its value: individual, organisational, and societal.

• Establish strong relationships with other volunteer organisations to share learnings and good practice and build a network of support.

• Build a network of supportive organisations and communities of interest to strengthen the role and profile of unpaid carers.

• Collaborate with other teams, business support, finance, fundraising and others, to support all aspects of volunteering, including events management, training, and professional development.

• Continuously strive for excellence by ensuring learning is embedded in practice, policies, and systems

• Keep abreast of legislation, policy and good practice related to volunteering.

• Ensure organisational and local safeguarding and health & safety policies are adhered to and effectively implemented.

• Comply with Angus Carers Centre’s policies and procedures.

Job overview

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities and tasks but indicates the main responsibilities required from employees in the role. The organisation reserves the right to require employees to perform other duties from time to time.

Key values

• Strong sense of integrity.

• Authentic and true to themselves and others,

• Compassionate and boundaries,

• Drive for social justice and equity.

•

Qualifications and knowledge:

• Degree in community education, social care, project management or relevant experience in developing, leading, and supporting volunteers.

• Knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection.

• Understanding of the needs of diverse individuals and communities.

• Full Driving License and a suitable vehicle for work with business insurance.

Experience

• Experience in all aspects of effective Volunteer Management (recruitment, training, support)

• Experience of collaborating with external stakeholders including communities, voluntary and private organisations, and individuals,

• Experience of project management, achieving goals, managing a busy workload, and working to deadlines

• Experience of partnership working, preferably in the Third Sector

• Experience of service development, delivery, and evaluation

Working hours

16 hours per week subject to organisational needs. Some work may have to be undertaken outside office hours, including evenings and weekends.

Special conditions

The post entails work with vulnerable people and falls within the definition of “regulated work” under the provision of the Protection of Vulnerable groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The post holder will require to be registered as a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, which will involve a Disclosure Scotland check.

Office base

The post is based at 8 Grant Road, Arbroath, DD11 1JN.

Equal opportunities

Angus Carers Centre is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to consider joining Angus Carers Centre.

Benefits

• Training and development opportunities

• Employee Assistance Programme

• 6% employer pension contribution

• Free car park

• 31 days of annual leave

• Flexible working, subject to organisation’s needs.

Angus Carers Centre is a rights-based charity working with and for unpaid carers from all walks of life living across Angus. We exist to improve the quality of life for all carers by building genuine and equal relationships, connecting carers with each other to create a sense of belonging and community, providing practical and emotional supports, and influencing change at local and national level.

Established in 1996, we have grown significantly over the last 25 years, and we are now supporting nearly 2,000 unpaid adult and young carers across Angus. Our talented and passionate team of 25 staff and over 20 volunteers ensure the needs of our carers are meet. Together with our volunteers we strive to provide a first-class service to carers and their families, to make a lasting difference to their lives.

Our vision is that all unpaid carers in Angus will receive appropriate information and support to enable them to feel valued and confident in their caring situation and to develop their own potential.

Why should you consider applying?

The social, political and policy horizon is changing, and we need to ensure that we provide the right support at the right time. We are entering a new and exciting chapter, and there has never been a better time to join our organisation.

You will form part of the Leadership Team. You will be making an impact by building authentic and empowering relationships with our dedicated and change-driven teams supporting unpaid carers, their families and partner organisations. You will lead on the development of our service demonstrating its impact and added value. But most importantly, you will put the voice of carers at the centre of what we do.

Reporting to the CEO, you will have a positive non-judgemental regard and help unpaid carers exercise their rights and support them to realise their potential.

Job overview

The postholder will:

• Create a safe environment for unpaid carers to build genuine relationships to participate in meaningful and engaging activities allowing them to express themselves, share their dreams and aspirations.
• Manage the development of Angus Carers Centre’s services, including identifying unmet need, monitoring, and maintaining standards in line with contractual agreements, and good practice.
• Provide leadership, management, coaching, support to the team members.
• Be responsible and accountable for the management of the team’s financial budgets in line with Angus Carers Centre’s financial and business support procedures.
• Measure the impact of our work in a creative and ethical manner ensuring lessons learnt are identified and taken forward, reporting on outcomes and progress towards strategic objectives.
• Work closely with other teams to ensure collaborative culture and synergies prevail across all areas of Angus Carers Centre’s work.
• Maintain and build relationships with a broad range of public, private and Third Sector organisations, including schools, community groups, health and care providers, and others.
• In collaboration with other teams, use the evidence of impact of our work to influence policy and practice within the local area and beyond.
• Ensure organisational and local safeguarding and health & safety policies are adhered to and effectively implemented.
• Support teams in identifying unpaid carers’ needs, circumstances, and outcomes, and support them to achieve them by working collaboratively with colleagues, partners agencies and other organisations.
• Ensure unpaid carers’ voices and opinions are heard and taken into account in decision-making processes.
• Work collaboratively with Angus Carers Centre’s teams to achieve its vision and strategic objectives.
• Continuously learn, reflect, and improve what we do to ensure evaluation is embedded into practice, and reflects agreed outcomes.
• Raise profile of Angus Carers Centre by facilitating information and development sessions with a wide range of organisations, communities, and individuals.
• Speak truth to power in a respectful, impactful, and authentic manner.
• Comply with Angus Carers Centre’s policies and procedures.

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities and tasks but indicates the main responsibilities required from employees in the role. The organisation reserves the right to require employees to perform other duties from time to time.

Key values

• Strong sense of integrity.
• Authentic and true to themselves and others,
• Compassionate and boundaries,
• Drive for social justice and equity.

Qualifications and knowledge:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree such as Social Work, Community Development, Youth Work. Equivalent qualification or five years’ experience at a senior level.
• Understanding of Human Rights, the UNCRC and Children’s Rights and the needs of diverse individuals and communities,
• Knowledge of the policy and practice areas of the social care sector in Scotland, including SSSC, Care Inspectorate and the new National Care Service.
• While we would welcome the knowledge gathered through a relevant qualification, we are just as interested in relevant work experience.
• Demonstrable continuing professional development in relevant areas
• Full Driving License and a suitable vehicle for work with business insurance.

Experience

• Experience of leading, motivating and building teams through times of change.
• Experience of the social care sector in Scotland, including the policy landscape affecting local authorities, health boards, health,and social care partnerships.
• Experience of multiagency working supporting the development and delivery of services within local communities.
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, senior officials, Trustees, the public and partner.

Working hours

35 hours per week subject to organisational needs. Some work may have to be undertaken outside office hours, including evenings and weekends.

Equipment

Laptop, docking station and mobile phone.

Special conditions

The post entails work with vulnerable people and falls within the definition of “regulated work” under the provision of the Protection of Vulnerable groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The post holder will require to be registered as a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, which will involve a Disclosure Scotland check.

Office base

The post is based at 8 Grant Road, Arbroath, DD11 1JN.

Equal opportunities

Angus Carers Centre is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to consider joining Angus Carers Centre.

Benefits

• Training and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 6% employer pension contribution
• Free car park
• 31 days of annual leave
• Flexible working, subject to organisation’s needs.

What are we looking for?

If you are a positive, caring, responsive, hardworking and professional practitioner who shares our values and our commitment to providing excellent unpaid carer services and support across Lanarkshire. The work within the Short Breaks team is demanding and diverse, requiring an organised and skilled approach. We operate public offices and outreach activities; carers contact us in many different ways. Lanarkshire Carers is a digitally enabled organisation, and you will be able to demonstrate the required skills in all aspects of your work. We are looking for people who understand the culture and value of this sector and nature of job roles within a carer led organisation.

Who are we looking for?

You will have a relevant experience in health or social care or preferable a relevant qualification to this post. We will consider someone who is qualified by experience with demonstrable relevant skills. You must have a good understanding of the impact of caring and the issues unpaid carers face.

Lanarkshire Carers

Lanarkshire Carers is a well-established, award winning carer led organisation built on a vision to work with and for carers to develop and deliver services that make a positive difference to their lives. A value-based organisation, our mission is to ensure that carers in Lanarkshire are identified, well informed, involved, supported, and empowered. We deliver information, advice and direct support services that enable unpaid carers to continue to care, whilst maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

Staff values and benefits

Our Board of Directors are committed to making Lanarkshire Carers a great place to work. Lanarkshire Carers works flexibly and is a carer positive employer. A generous annual leave and public holiday allocation provides 37 days leave rising to 42 days with increased length of service. A workplace pension scheme is available along with group life and critical illness cover and other benefits. We offer an Employee Assistance Programme and also Credit Union Membership. Our staff learning and development programme ensures you have access to continuous professional development, with progression routes across the organisation.

Lanarkshire Carers is an Equal Opportunities employer and all applicants for posts receive equal treatment irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, disability, religion, sexuality, and age.

Additional Information

Please view our website for more information about Lanarkshire Carers where you will also find our Annual Report - Carers at the Centre for 2022/2023. This provides a good overview of our work and job roles. Our staff team, many of whom are carers themselves, are committed to making caring a positive experience.

PVG

Post holders require a countersigned membership of the PGV scheme.

Our workstyles

Post holders will be based between our centres in Hamilton and Airdrie, and localities throughout Lanarkshire. Working from home/hybrid working may also be required. All staff work on an outreach basis in community, health and social care venues across Lanarkshire.