Connected Caring; Carer Support & Community Engagement Worker

Age Concern Tyneside South (ACTS) is a Registered Charity which promotes the well-being of people living in South Tyneside, improving their quality of life and helping them maintain their independence. We are also responsible for the delivery of an Adults Carers Service for South Tyneside, Connected Caring, which aims to provide Carers the best possible support at home and in their local community.

Connected Caring is delivered as a partnership with ACTS, Sense Ability Matters (SAM) (supporting adults who have a sensory impairment, are disabled, or live with a long-term condition) and Your Voice Counts (supporting people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who are risk of exclusion due to disability).

Purpose: To raise awareness of unpaid Adult Carers in South Tyneside promoting support and activities that are accessible to Carers and in some instances Cared for attendees. To actively build the visibility of the Connected Carers Services via interactive engagement including groups, activities, events, stalls and other community events. Work with Carers and identify hidden Carers, signposting and helping to address barriers to participation, self-identification and prevent carer breakdown.

Empower Carer communities in South Tyneside to address isolation, loneliness and inactivity through community participation. To take the lead from Carers in their areas to identify and establish activities within neighbourhoods utilising community resources to promote sustainability.

Main Tasks: 

• Develop and establish community engagement plans, in line with the organisational priorities, to reach new carers, promote early carer identification and increase reach to hidden carers including the transition of young carers into adult services.
• Create, monitor and maintain activities, outreach groups and drop-in sessions in response to Carers needs and wants, being mindful of days, times and locations to maximise attendance and reach.
• Work directly in communities and neighbourhoods to identify and connect with Carers, ex-carers and those with lived experience to form peer support groups, empowering them to take ownership, lead activities, discussions etc.
• Empower and motivate Carers, ex-carers and those with lived experience to sustain their involvement with Connected Caring South Tyneside and other relevant services unique to them.
• Market, support, establish and plan future sustainability of activities in local communities.
• Prepare and facilitate engaging information stands in community locations and at a range of events, in order to build visibility of Connected Caring South Tyneside and the support we provide, as well as wider awareness about carers issues.
• Encourage carers to prioritise their own health and wellbeing, and to access the support they are entitled to.
• Engage with local organisations and community leaders to reach out to people who may be carers, their family and friends, engaging with carers underrepresented among those we already support (for example ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+ and male carers).
• Identify and effectively engage with individuals, groups, businesses and partner organisations already active in local communities to enhance rather than duplicate existing provision and to maintain and build on these community links. To help them to identify carers early on and develop referral relationship.
• Attend networking meetings and forums to represent Connected Carers South Tyneside, raising awareness of caring and carers’ experiences.
• Deliver training or information sessions to groups of carers and/or professionals.
• Ensure all work is recorded on MIS, monitor and evaluate work and provide clear reports on the progress and impact of our community engagement work stream.
• Present and discuss information with clients in an accessible format, enabling and supporting them to identify potential solutions or action plans.
• Liaise with and provide content for digital support for carers service
• Connect with and maintain good working relationships with Young Carers services, supporting pre-transition and transition work
• Use appropriate systems to monitor and evidence the work of the project and produce reports and case studies for senior management and board.
• Work in co-operation with other team members, adhering to all policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the purpose and remit of the post

Person Specification

Management & Supervision

The post holder will receive regular supervision and support from the Chief Officer.

The postholder will be expected to actively follow all Partnership policies and procedures, including Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding, Information Security and Code of Conduct.

The postholder will be expected to maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

We will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no disabled applicant is placed at a substantial disadvantage. This person specification includes what we believe are fully justifiable essential and desirable selection criteria. Provided that the selection criteria unconnected with the disability are met, we will make ALL reasonable adjustments in order that someone with a disability can undertake the duties involved.

The specific duties and responsibilities of this job description are not restrictive, and the post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties within the scope of the role, as required by the partnership Leadership Team.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to check for any previous convictions

This job description is subject to review and subsequent revision if the needs of the organization demand this.

If you’re interested, please email info@ac-ts.org.uk to request further information or an application pack before the closing date