Carer Advisor (Adults)

Voluntary Services Aberdeen; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Aberdeen is looking for a dedicated Carer Advisor to support both young and adult carers. This full-time, permanent position includes responsibilities such as advising and guiding carers, conducting outreach, and working collaboratively to develop support plans. Essential qualifications include an understanding of unpaid carers' roles and good interpersonal skills. Attractive benefits such as a pension scheme and personal development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Company pension

Employee assistance programme

Generous annual leave

Refer a friend programme

Investment in personal development

Recognised SCQF qualifications

Employee discount scheme

Qualifications

• Awareness and understanding of the role of unpaid carers.
• Demonstrable experience of working with young people and youth issues.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Adult Carers Service.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside carers to establish the impact of their caring role.
• Raise awareness of carers’ statutory rights and needs.
• Advise, guide and support both young and adult carers on a one-to-one and group basis.

Skills

Ability to relate to young people

Well developed interpersonal skills

Good organisational skills

Good IT skills

Education

Qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or Teaching

Job description

VSA's Aberdeenshire Carers Service supports adults, children, and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire. We provide information, advice, support and guidance to adult carers and their families across Aberdeenshire (North).

We are currently offering an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Carer Advisor. This will be a Full-time, Permanent position and the successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Rate of Pay: £14.15 ph or £25,761.49 p.a.

Location: Working from Home – however this role will include home visits to Carers and their families as well as community engagement sessions/drop‑ins delivered in and around the localities we support. A driver’s licence and access to your own transport is essential for this role.

Work Pattern: Working 5 days per week (Monday to Friday)

Locations to be Covered: Central Aberdeenshire – Ellon, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, Huntly, Alford, Kemnay, Westhill

We offer our staff fantastic benefits including:

• Company pension
• Employee assistance programme
• Generous annual leave
• Refer a friend programme – receive £200 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA
• Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
• Gain recognised SCQF Qualifications
• Access to our employee discount scheme

About the role

You will make an effective contribution to the provision of appropriate information, advice and support, guidance and access to services and social opportunities for adult and young carers in Aberdeenshire, according to their changing needs, working both on an individual and group work basis. You will also support the carer in preparing an Adult Carers Support plan in accordance with relevant carer legislation.

Responsibilities of our Carer Advisor will include

• Work alongside carers referred to the service and establish the impact of their caring role & complete young carers statement / adult carers support plan as appropriate
• Raise awareness of the role undertaken by people as carers, their statutory rights & their needs, amongst those professionals who plan and manage services
• Collate and disseminate information on services available locally, providing an information resource with details of such services which can be safely accessed by carers, and understood by them
• Work within a designated Cluster group / locality giving talks to raise awareness of carers’ issues and to provide information about services available to carers
• Advise, guide and support both young and adult carers both on a one-to-one and group basis, taking on an advocacy role when required
• Facilitate group activities, social and training/educational events as determined by the needs and wishes of the carers
• Investigate the nature and extent of ongoing unmet needs of carers, and determine ways of meeting these needs in accordance with available resources
• Regularly review the needs of carers in the light of changing and evolving circumstances, ensuring that support and information given is relevant and appropriate
• Explore and develop effective communication and informal networks amongst a wide range of individuals, including young and adult carers, volunteers, groups and agencies
• Any other tasks which may arise from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the post-holder’s capabilities

What we are looking for in our Carer Advisor

Qualifications / Training / Education

Essential: Awareness and understanding of the role of unpaid carers

Desirable:

• A qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or Teaching Relevant post-qualifying training e.g. safeguarding
• Awareness and knowledge of current legislation relating to Children and Child Protection issues e.g. the Children’s Act (Scotland) 1995, or Adult Protection issues e.g. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and Disability issues e.g. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of working with young people and youth issues
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Adult Carers Service

Desirable:

• Relevant post qualifying training e.g. Safeguarding & Child or Adult Protection
• Experience of working with carers

Key Skills / Aptitudes

Essential:

• Ability to relate to young people
• Well developed interpersonal skills e.g. communication, listening, counselling and negotiating skills
• Good organisational skills
• Good IT skills
• Insight when dealing with conflicting demands

Personal Qualities

Essential:

• Ability to use own initiative
• Self-reliance, and ability to work under pressure

Desirable:

• Appreciation of Community Care issues

Other Job Requirements

Essential:

• Flexible approach to working hours – availability to work evening and weekend on a planned basis
• To ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults whilst adhering to current legislation and national/local policies and guidelines
• Observe Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy as per Agency procedures and adhere to Child Protection guidelines
• Observe Adult Support & Protection Policy as per Agency procedure and Aberdeenshire H&SCP Adult Support & Protection Procedures
• Full and Clean Driving License and access to a vehicle

If our Carer Advisor role sounds like you, then click “Apply” below and start your career with VSA.