Job Title: Carer Support Adviser
Salary: £19,828 per annum (£24,454 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 30 Hours per week
Location: Working flexibly in the community with some homeworking.
Carers First is a charity that works directly with, and for unpaid carers, providing personalised information, advice and tailored support making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.
We have a committed, dedicated staff team and you could be just the person we are looking for to join us to make that valuable difference in carer’s lives. We live and work through our values in all that we achieve by being positive, collaborative and ambitious and we have clear plans to scale our reach, support and impact for carers.
As a Medway Carer Support Adviser your responsibilities would include: -
Work directly with carers to understand their needs, build on their strengths and co‑produce support plans that promote wellbeing, independence and connection
Deliver statutory carer assessments in line with the Care Act 2014, ensuring each carer’s lived experience informs the support they receive
Raise the profile of carers locally and work with partners to improve outcomes for carers across Medway
About you
To be successful in this role you will need:
Full clean driving license
Support for Carers
Provide personalised information, advice and emotional support to carers in a range of settings (in‑person, telephone and online)
Facilitate one‑to‑one and group‑based activities that build confidence, connection and peer support
Support carers to access services, grants and community resources, particularly where local provision is limited
Keep up to date with local and national policy, legislation and services relating to carers
Service Development and Co-production
Listen to and act on the views of carers to ensure services are shaped by their experiences and needs
Work with carers and colleagues to co-produce new initiatives that fill identified gaps in support
Use a blended approach to widen access to services, including digital, telephone, and in-person opportunities
Help identify and apply for small grants to support wellbeing-focused activities for carers
Partnership Working and Representation
Build strong relationships with local community organisations and professionals to create joined-up, carer-centred support
Advocate for carers and raise awareness of their needs across health, care, and community networks
Represent Carers First at external meetings and forums, promoting our values and approach with professionalism and integrity
Work with the Communications team to promote local activities and events through appropriate channels, including social media and newsletters
Professional Practice
Ensure safeguarding remains central to all work, following Carers First policies and statutory guidance
Participate fully in team meetings, reflective practice, supervision and training to support your development
Work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to deliver an effective, consistent service
Ensure all work complies with relevant legislation, contractual expectations, organisational policies and frameworks (including Safeguarding, GDPR and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
We are looking for passionate people who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Charity. Carers First is committed to providing a supportive, vibrant, diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Carers First Can Offer You
In return for your contribution, we have an amazing package of staff benefits including 26 days annual leave entitlement which increases with length of service, flexible working options, paid carers leave, access to our work-place pension, staff discount scheme, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package.
Whatever you are aiming to achieve in your career, we are here to encourage, help and support you grow, through our excellent training and development programmes.
How to apply
To apply for our exciting opportunity and make a real difference to the lives of carers, please download our Candidate Pack and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.
Applications can only be assessed if they clearly state how you meet each of the requirements in the Personal Specification.
Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service that we consider acceptable.
Interview Process:
All successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview week commencing: date to be confirmed.
Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Positive Collaborative Ambitious
There are currently 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, however carer charities estimate that number could be as high as 10.6 million. Their huge contribution saves our economy £162 billion each year - the cost of a second NHS. Each carer’s needs and situation are unique, but many face similar challenges. They can struggle to balance employment, finances, or their own wellbeing and time for themselves with their caring role. They may not be aware of the help and support available to them - and that is why we are here.
Carers First works directly with, and for, thousands of carers, providing personalised information and tailored support in the way that suits them: online, on the phone, or face to face in their local community. With the help of our supporters and volunteers, we can continue to be there for carers, helping them find balance, and to live their lives to the fullest - today, and for years to come.
Last year, we reached over 376,000 carers through digital services and face to face activities. We have been able to make a material difference in carers’ lives and we can evidence that carers feel more confident, informed and resilient in their caring role.
We are growing, and currently have over 50,000 carers registered with us.
When you join Carers First, you join a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive team who all have a shared interest in supporting unpaid carers to continue living their lives to the fullest, across the country. In a community dedicated to caring, we believe that our employees and volunteers really do make a difference, therefore, we emphasise the importance of learning and development, as well as actively encouraging them to develop their skills with our fantastic learning and development programme. This means that all of our team become the best that they can be, whilst helping others do the same.