Carer Advisor

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

Job summary

A local charity in Scotland is seeking a full-time Carer Advisor to support unpaid carers. This role involves providing guidance to carers throughout the discharge planning process, ensuring they receive essential information and services. It requires strong interpersonal skills, experience in health & social care, and a flexible approach to working hours. Additionally, a driving license and access to a vehicle are mandatory for home visits. Excellent benefits are included, such as pension plans and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension

Employee assistance program

Generous annual leave

Refer a friend program

Investment in personal development

Access to employee discount scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working within the health & social care sector is essential.
• Knowledge of current legislation relating to unpaid carers is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and guidance to unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire.
• Facilitate group activities and advocate for young and adult carers.
• Raise awareness of carers’ issues through talks and community engagement.

Skills

Ability to relate with both adults and young people

Well-developed interpersonal skills

Good organisational skills

Good IT skills

Education

Qualification in Community Work, Social Work, or Nursing

Job description

Overview

VSA currently has an exciting new opportunity available to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as a Carer Advisor - Hospital Discharge, working with Adult Carers, Young Carers and their Families across Aberdeenshire. This will be a Full-time, Permanent position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.

VSA's Aberdeenshire carers service supports adults, children and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire. We are a local based organisation with an in-depth understanding of the people of Aberdeenshire and a localised approach to information and carers services. We are network partners with National Carers Organisations, Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers, keeping us briefed on all matters relating to unpaid carers.

Hours: 35 hours per week

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

Location: Working from Home (this role will include home visits to Carers, work within NHS Grampian Hospital settings within Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, as well as community engagement sessions/drop-ins around Aberdeenshire). A driver’s license and access to your own transport is essential.

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

Locations to be Covered: Aberdeenshire wide with travel to Aberdeen City

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

The purpose of this role is to provide early support to unpaid carers across Aberdeenshire who are caring for an individual who requires support to be included in the discharge planning process from hospital. You will contribute to the provision of information, advice, support, guidance and access to services for unpaid carers. You will also support the carer in preparing a Young Carer Statement / Adult Carer Support Plan in accordance with relevant carers legislation.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside carers referred to service and establish the impact of their caring role; complete young carers statement / adult carers support plan detailing the impacts and supports required.
• Raise awareness of the role undertaken by carers, their statutory rights and needs amongst professionals who plan and manage services.
• Collate and provide information on services available locally, with details accessible to carers.
• Give talks within Aberdeenshire to raise awareness of carers’ issues.
• Advise, guide and support young and adult carers one-to-one and in groups; undertake advocacy when required.
• Facilitate group activities, social and training/educational events as determined by needs and feedback of carers.
• Investigate ongoing unmet needs of carers and determine ways to meet those needs within available resources.
• Regularly review carers’ needs in light of changing circumstances; ensure information and support is relevant and aligned with current local and national legislation and guidelines.
• Develop effective communication and informal networks among carers, volunteers, groups, agencies and health & social care professionals.
• Perform any other reasonable tasks within the post-holder’s capabilities.

What we are looking for in our Carer Advisor

Qualifications/Training/Education

Essential:

• Aware of the role of unpaid carers

Desirable:

• A qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or hospital-based experience or relevant post-qualifying training e.g. safeguarding
• Aware of current legislation relating to:
• Children and Child Protection issues e.g. the Children’s Act (Scotland) 1995
• Adult Protection issues e.g. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
• Disability issues e.g. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• Carers Right e.g. Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of working within the health & social care sector

Desirable:

• Demonstrable knowledge and/or experience of working with young people and adults
• Experience of working with carers
• Experience of multidisciplinary meetings / case conferences / discharge planning
• Relevant post-qualifying training e.g. Safeguarding & Child or Adult Protection

Key Skills / Aptitudes

• Essential: Ability to relate with both adults and young people
• Well-developed interpersonal skills (communication, listening, counselling and negotiating)
• Good organisational skills
• Good IT skills
• Ability to manage conflicting demands

Personal Qualities

• Essential: Ability to use own initiative and work as part of multiple teams within health & social care
• 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 evenings and weekends (on a planned basis)
• Adhere to safeguarding and child protection policies and guidelines
• Adhere to Adult Support & Protection policies as per Agency procedures
• Full and clean driving license and access to a vehicle