Carer Involvement Officer

The post will require travel across Edinburgh, The Lothians and Falkirk.

THIS POST REQUIRES PVG CLEARANCE

Can you help empower carers to have their voices heard within the Action Group and beyond?

Can you help us achieve our mission ‘To value, listen to and involve people so that our every action is judged to be the best’.

We are seeking a motivated, organised person with great interpersonal skills, to develop and lead carer involvement at The Action Group.

You will:

· Engage directly with carers whose loved ones are supported by The Action Group.

· Learn what is important to them and how they wish to be involved.

· Develop and implement a strategic plan to improve carer involvement at all levels of the organisation and beyond

· Work with internal and external colleagues to run Carer groups and consultation events

· Develop online engagement and communications

· Work with colleagues at all levels and across departments to ensure carer involvement and empowerment are at the heart of all aspects of the organisation

You will be well supported and work closely with our involvement officer, communications team and carer advice team.

Interviews expected to take place w/b 15th July

1. Job Purpose

To promote the engagement and participation of Carers whose children, young people and adults are supported by The Action Group. This is in line with The Action Group’s mission statement: ‘To value, listen to and involve people so that our every action is judged to be the best’.

This will include:

a) Engaging directly with carers to better understand what is important to them and how they wish to be involved.

b) Developing and implementing a strategic plan to improve carer involvement in all levels of the organisation

c) Working with internal and external colleagues to run Carer groups and other consultation events and meetings

d) Developing online engagement and communications as a further means of involvement, in conjunction with the Communications Officer

e) Working with Human Resources, Finance, The Senior Team and Board, as well as Carer Advice and Learning and Development colleagues, to ensure Carer/user involvement and empowerment are at the heart of all aspects of the organisation

2. Group and individual work

To begin Carer groups and forums, facilitating these as meaningful places of engagement and influence. In some instances, this may involve facilitating groups in partnership with carers, or other colleagues within TAG.

To develop new groups and forums (Both real time and on digital platforms) in order to increase the range of involvement across all parts of the organisation, in particular increasing representation and ‘voice’ of those who may find it difficult to engage and those carers living out with Edinburgh.

Using a range of approaches to ensure we hear from ‘lesser heard’ voices. (eg, use of interpreters and digital methods)

To create a systemic approach to consultation and Carer- influence, which has a clear structure, ultimately feeding into the Board.

To assist carers connected to the Action Group, to attend networks and forums of interest across the sector and in wider society.

To use the information from the above activities, as well as through all relevant government policies, to strengthen The Action group services and consultation processes.

To provide digital information via TAG Facebook; an internal carers platform; and to upskill carers on engaging in a digital way, supported by the Comms team and other action group staff.

3. Policies and Procedures

To work alongside the Quality Team in ensuring all policies and paperwork consider carers and are accessible.

To lead on facilitating meaningful carer consultation and co-production across all Action Group systems.

To assist in the annual evaluation processes in all services, to maximise user and carer influence.

4. Internal departments

To work with the Human Resource team in building on carer involvement in recruitment processes.

To work with the Learning and Development team in extending carer involvement and input (real time or digitally) in training of staff at all levels.

To maximise opportunities for involvement and influence in every element of the organisation.

Brief Senior team and board on key issues related to carers

5. Development

To be involved in influencing carers strategies of the Scottish Government and Health and Social Care Partnership that TAG work with.

To work alongside service managers to involve carers in the design and co-production of new services, groups, and projects as appropriate.

To identify and apply for funding and grants that might further strengthen carer involvement activity within The Action Group.

To seek out opportunities to extend The Action Group’s best practice in the area of user and carer involvement, including but not limited to, accreditation and quality awards

To supervise volunteers or social work students on placement as needed

6. Events

To assist in delivering ‘carer-facing’ events and opportunities for engagement, including the annual conference, TAG Talks and other real time or digital events.

7. Other duties

a) Health & Safety

· Adhere to The Action Group’s Health & Safety policies at all times

· Assist the Health & Safety Advisor and H&S Committee in ensuring H&S policies, procedures and systems are compliant; and outcomes focussed where relevant

b) Contributing to a Quality Service

· Be familiar with, and work within, all organisational policies and procedures

· Participate in all necessary training and be committed to own personal and professional development.

· Contribute to the delivery of business plan aims and objectives, working alongside senior management as required.

8. Confidentiality

· High standards of confidentiality are required in relation to the roles, tasks and responsibilities described above.

9. Supervision Received

· The post holder will regularly meet their line manager for supervision as outlined in The Action Group’s supervision policy.

10. Amendments

· This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and the post holder may be required to perform other duties on occasion.

· This job description may be amended following discussions with the post holder and with approval from the Senior Manager for HR.

Required criteria

• Acceptance and support of The Action Group’s values.
• Shows enthusiasm and commitment for promoting carer involvement across the organisation.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to job responsibilities.
• At least two years’ experience working with individuals who have support needs or carers and experience of involvement or advocacy work.
• Experience of digital communication tools, including social media and online groups, digital newsletters
• Strong administrative skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, especially with individuals who may find it hard to communicate.
• Good and clear written communication skills, especially in relation to accessibility
• Good knowledge of the regulatory and funding context of social care
• Strong IT skills particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to prioritise and manage a complex workload.
• A professional and credible approach to tasks and problems.
• Clear understanding of regulation, standards and best practice context.
• An understanding of safeguarding of vulnerable people.
• Strong inter-personal and relational skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
• Ability to influence others, including those in more senior positions.
• High levels of personal integrity
• Ability to handle difficult situations and issues in a tactful and measured manner.
• Approaches tasks in a consultative and collaborative manner
• A team player but also comfortable working autonomously.
• Willingness to travel across Edinburgh and the Lothians and work flexible hours, including evening and weekends as required.
• Ability to work flexibly as required to meet service needs.
• Some evening and weekend work to meet carer requirements.

Desired criteria

• Experience of group facilitation
• Experience of training/coaching /mentoring others
• A relevant qualification that relates to this position.