Dear Applicant
Young Carers Officer
Thank you for your interest in the above position. Please find enclosed the following:
Job vacancy details
Application form
Job description and personal specification
Details of the Carers’ Centre
Equality and diversity statement
Equality and diversity monitoring form (please return with your application form)
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm onThursday 28 September 2017.Interviews will take place on Saturday 7October 2017.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by telephone or email. If you have not heard from us by Tuesday 3October 2017please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.
We look forward to receiving your completed application and thank you once again for your interest in the Carers’ Centre.
Yours sincerely
Chief Executive
Vacancy
Young Carers Officer
22.5 hours per week1 year fixed term with extension subject to funding
£14,377.57
5% employer pension contributions, following 3 month qualifying period.
The Carers’ Centre helps people who care, our aim is to improve the quality of life for carers in Bath and North East Somerset. We are a rapidly changing, innovative and exciting organisation responding to the needs of 20,000 unpaid family carers in Bath and North East Somerset.
You will be young carer aware and work using a person centred and whole family approach. You will be excellent at working with children and young people individually and in groups. You will be experienced at working within children’s safeguarding processes and procedures. You will be good at planning and prioritising a busy workload.
You can download a Job Pack from our website: or request a pack by post by calling 01761 431388.
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm onThursday 28 September 2017
Interviews will take place on Saturday 7 October 2017
Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre
Application Form
Where did you hear about this this vacancy?
Position Applied For:
Notes:
- To apply for a position with the Carers’ Centre you must fill in and return this application form. CVs are not accepted. Please complete this form as fully as possible. All the information requested is needed so that we can shortlist the most suitable candidates and safeguard the children and adults who we work with.
- The post holder will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Baring Service check.
- The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website:
- In order to safeguard our service users, please note that we will terminate the employment of or withdraw offer of employment from anyone found to have failed to declare a conviction, caution or pending police action or having been subject to police investigation which they should have declared.
- Before shortlisting, the information on the first two pages of this application form is removed to ensure your application is assessed solely on your suitability for the position.
- Please take the opportunity to tell us anything you feel will support your application. Remember, your application will be assessed against the personal specification document.
Section 1: Personal Details
Full name
Address
Postcode
Tel No. Mobile
Are you permitted to work in the UK? Yes No
Do you have (a) a current full driving licence? Yes No
(b) a car you can use for work? Yes No
How many days sick leave have you had in the past 2 years? 1
Do you have any specific needs that we should consider to ensure that you have a fair interview e.g. access, communication needs etc.? Yes No
If yes please give details:
How much notice (if any) would you need to give to your existing employer?N/A
Section 2: References
Please provide details of two people who would be willing to give you a reference. These should not be relatives and one should be your current or most recent employer.
References will be taken following a job offer being made.
Name
Address
Postcode
Tel No
Occupation/relationship to you:
Name
Address
Postcode
Occupation/relationship to you:
Section 3: Declaration (please ensure this section is completed)
Do you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013)? Yes No
The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found at
If yes, please provide written details of the offence, date, and sentence in a sealed envelope marked Confidential and send it to: David Trumper, Operations Manager and Deputy Chief Executive, Carers’ Centre, 1 Riverside Cottages, Radstock BA3 3PS. Add title of the position you are applying for to the top left-hand corner.
This envelope will only be opened if you are considered for appointment (depending on the nature of the offence and when it happened you may or may not be disqualified.) Such information will be confidential to the appointment panel. The envelope will subsequently be returned to you.
I declare that the information given on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Submitting this form electronically is equal to my signature.
NameDate
Should you be unsuccessful on this occasion would you like us to hold your application on file for 12 months in case another suitable vacancy arises? Yes No
Section 4: Education/Training, Courses & Qualifications
Please include details of all education and relevant training including short courses starting with the most recent first.
Dates from – to / Qualifications obtainedSection 5: Outside Interests & Hobbies
Section 6: Employment History
Please start with your current or most recent employer. Include details of any relevant voluntary work. Please provide details for any gaps in your employment history.
Datesfrom/to / Employer / Position / main duties / Reason for leaving
Section 7: Further Information
Tell us why you are applying for this position. Refer closely to the job description and personal specification to demonstrate how you feel your skills, experience and knowledge are relevant to this post. Please continue onto a separate sheet if you wish.
Please email your completed form to or print and return to Recruitment, The Carers’ Centre, 1 Riverside Cottages, Radstock BA3 3PS.
JOB DESCRIPTION:Young Carers’ Officer
JOB TITLE:Young Carers’ Service Officer
HOURS OF WORK:22.5 hours per week; with evening and weekend flexibility.Fixed term until 30th September 2018
GRADE:Level 4
PLACES OF WORK:Carers’ Centre in Bath
RESPONSIBLE TO:Young Carers’ Service Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR:Young Carers’ Volunteers
Background
The Carers’ Centre has a contract with the Local authority to provide needs assessments and support to young carers including short break activities that enable young carers to have their childhood back.
This post is fixed term funding for 1 year, however, it is hoped further funding will be secured if the new term-time groups and wellbeing activities are successful.
The Carers’ Centre is seeking funding to maintain the increased capacity within the Young Carers Team, however an extension of the contract will be subject to suitable funding being secured.
Aims of the post:
Executes individual plans.
Makes case/workload decisions.
Ensures service delivery standards are met, follows policies, procedures and processes.
Works to achieve and measure assigned outcomes.
Follows appraisal, supervision, performance and learning and development best practice. Supervises volunteers.
Accounts for restricted project spend and supports fundraising activities.
The post holder will:
Work within our values and behavioural competencies.
The post-holder will provide:
Information and advice
-Provide accurate and timely information and advice to young carers on an individual basis and in group settings.
-Proactively develop and maintain their knowledge of partner organisations and services available locally, regionally and nationally to support young carers.
-Be responsible for acquiring and cascading specialist knowledge to colleagues to ensure all young carers have access to high quality information and advice.
Support
-Provide each eligible young carer with a personalised needs assessment and support plan working to include the whole family.
-Provide each young carer with a person centred Support Plan which is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART).
-Set up new term time activities as part of the young carers’ breaks programme.
-Work with the Young Carers Team and the Wellbeing Team to extend the wellbeing activities for young carers and their families.
-Ensure young carer activities are appropriately risk assessed and staffed to ensure support is available for young carers attending.
-Make appropriate and timely referrals to other Carers’ Centre services and partner organisations.
-Annually review needs assessments and support plans with young carers by phone.
Carer identification
-Engage all relevant professionals, agencies and organisations to raise awareness and identify hidden young carers.
-Participate in carer engagementand identification activities as directed.
Record keeping
-Use Charitylog (database) to record interactions with each young carer in accordance with the Data Protection Act and all relevant internal procedures.
-Measure the difference made to each young carer using the outcome tools provided.
Fundraising
-Recognise the continuing need to raise funds and proactively participate in fundraising activities.
General
-Adhere to the Young Carers’ Charter and provide professional, carer-focused information, advice and support service.
-Encourage young carers to provide feedback on the Carers’ Centre’s services and to become actively involved in shaping future delivery.
-Share and adopt good practice within the Carers Trust network.
-To work within the Carers’ Centre policy framework.
-To undertake any other duties required, in consultation with the line-manager, as are consistent with the responsibilities of this post.
Person Specification
Job TitleYoung Carers’ Officer
Criteria / EssentialExperience / -A minimum of two years’ experience disseminating information, advice and some level of guidance directly to children and young people.
-A minimum of two years’ experience of running group activities with children and young people.
-Experience of supporting volunteers to help with projects and activities.
Qualifications & training / -Level 4 Qualification or above or relevant experience or willingness to gain.
-Trained in Children’s Safeguarding.
-Willingness to undertake training and development opportunities as required.
Skills & abilities / -Ability to comprehend information from a variety of sources, analyse and communicate to young carers effectively.
-Ability to listen to young carers, understand their needs and respond with information, advice and support which meets their specific needs.
-Ability to communicate, negotiate and advocate effectively for children and young people one to one and in groups.
-Ability to plan, risk assess, run and evaluate activities and events.
-Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office, presentation software and databases.
-Evidence of reliability, punctuality, ability to plan effectively and consistently deliver against deadlines.
-A positive attitude to change and a ‘can do’ approach to adopting new practices and ways of working.
-Strong team player with the ability to maintain relationships with colleagues whilst working remotely and across different sites.
Knowledge / -A good understanding of the needs and issues faced by young carers.
-Knowledge of legislation and Government policy relating to young carers and their rights.
Values and behaviours / Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our workplace values and behavioural competencies. Our values are to be:
-Honest, Fair, Supportive, Empowering, Innovative and Sustainable.
Our behavioural competencies are:
-Working with People: We create a working environment where people support, trust and respect each other in order to achieve common goals.
-Passion for carers: We develop professional relationships with carers and colleagues, identifying their needs and providing quality customer service to them.
-Making it Happen: We take pride in our work and focus on achieving excellent results. Setting the standard and leading by example.
-Change and Innovation: We seek, create and encourage fresh ideas to meet an ever changing environment.
-Managing and Developing: We drive performance by setting clear goals, reviewing performance and developing potential though coaching and feedback.
-Understanding our business: We understand the big picture, our sector, carers, services, partners and their contribution.
Other Requirements / -Happy to regularly work flexibly in the evenings and at weekends.
-Ability to contribute towards the task of fundraising from a range of sources.
-Own transport/full driving license and willingness to travel. Ability to drive a minibus would be beneficial.
An overview of Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre
The origins of the Carers’ Centre date back to 1986 and the then Volunteer Bureau, which provided volunteering opportunities in the local area. In 1994 a carers’ support project was started and by 1999 this had become the sole purpose of the organisation, as national and local legislation began to formally recognise family carers.
In 1996, the Care Network was established as a company limited by guarantee. In 2005 the Care Network was accepted as a member of the then Princess Royal Trust for Carers (now Carers Trust).
Since 2010 we have been known as Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre and remain a key network partner of the Carers Trust.
Area of benefit
We support carers of all ages in and around the area covered by the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) which has a population of around 171,000 people with approximately half living in the city of Bath and the rest in the smaller towns of Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and the surrounding villages. According to the 2011 census there are over 17,000 adult carers in our area.
Governance
The Carers’ Centre is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association and managed by a Board of Trustees who are also the Directors of the Company.
This Management Committee and its sub committees meet every quarter. In addition there is also a wider membership of interested people whose views and experiences help shape the work of the Carers’ Centre.
Funding
Around 65% of our funding comes from commissioned services funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Group which are largely subcontracted by Virgin Care. The remainder of our funding comes from the Big Lottery, grant making Trusts, trading and from the public.
Where we are
We have two Carers’ Centre buildings – one in Radstock and one in central Bath. We share and rent our buildings with partner organisations, such as Swan Advocacy.
Both buildings have free parking and are on regular bus routes.
Aims Objectives and Values
Mission Statement
Time for carers to be recognised and fully supported in Bath and North East Somerset
Objectives
Provide information advice and support that is comprehensive, accurate and appropriate to the needs of individual carers, so that they are aware of the choices and options available to them.
Work with carers individually and collectively to support them in stating their views in relation to the delivery and planning of local services.
Facilitate networking with other local voluntary organisations, statutory and private agencies to ensure there is co-ordinated support for carers
Enable carers to discuss and identify their own health and emotional support needs and to receive practical and emotional support through access to groups, training and personal development opportunities. As well as providing breaks for carers.
Promote and publicise the services and support we offer in order to identify and reach all carers living in B&NES.
Values
The Carers' Centre prides itself on being a fair and supportive workplace. We hold ourselves to the following values and make sure these are reflected in the way we work and the decisions we make.
Honest: We are truthful and sincere in all we do for carers
Fair: We treat everyone we work with equally and with respect
Supportive: We provide encouragement and help to all we work with
Empowering: We make carers stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
Innovative: We seek to find new and creative ways to achieve our mission
Sustainable: We work to ensure we will always be here to support carers, by considering financial, social and environmental concerns in our decision making.
Strategic aims