To apply, visit Newcastle Carers' website at www.newcastlecarers.org.uk/about-join-our-team/young-carers-contact-and-group-practitioner/.
Deadline for applications: Monday 15 June 2026, 9am
No CVs please.
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours/week, permanent (ability to work evenings/weekends)
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Newcastle Carers Centre in Byker), in line with our flexible working policy.
Salary: NJC pay scale 13-16 (£29,064 – £30,518
Are you an excellent communicator, skilful at connecting with young people and their families? Do you thrive in dynamic situations and can utilise creativity as a tool to promote wellbeing for young carers?
Join our team as a Young Carers Contact and Group Practitioner!
Why work at Newcastle Carers?
At Newcastle Carers, we support adults, children and young people who care for someone living in Newcastle upon Tyne. Our services are free, confidential and non-judgemental, helping carers find ways to make their caring situation more manageable.
We believe every carer should be able to access professional support, information and guidance. We also believe that children and young people with caring responsibilities (some of whom are of primary school age) deserve the same opportunities as their peers.
Working at Newcastle Carers is more than just a job. We are a team of passionate people dedicated to supporting carers of all ages. Our values incorporate every aspect of our work: Empowering, Inclusive, People-Focused, and Empathetic. We know that by working together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of unpaid carers in Newcastle.
Join us to make a real difference in the lives of unpaid carers in Newcastle.
We’re looking for someone who can inspire and connect with young carers to offer low-level support and maintain regular contact. You’ll be an organised individual ready to make a difference for young carers and young adult carers.
The Young Carers Contact and Group Practitioner role requires someone who can develop exciting and creative group sessions for young people (with availability to regularly work evenings and weekends). You’ll have a qualification in Youth Work (or equivalent) and a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children, young people and their families.
This role requires someone who respects and values equality and diversity, can problem solve and manage unexpected situations and follow safeguarding procedures.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference using your skills and experience to make a positive impact. If you’re ready to showcase your communication, organisational and youth work skills, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- To organise a programme of activities, training, and peer support groups to provide young carers and young adult carers (aged between 5 – 25 years old) with a regular break from their caring responsibilities. This will include holiday activities, digital groups and activities and bespoke sessions responding to the needs of young carers and young adult carers.
- To monitor and carry out timely check in and chats with young carers and young adult carers using phone calls and digital tools, to ensure ongoing visibility and low-level support is provided.
- To deliver low-level support including access to groups and activities, check in and chats, school drop ins, referrals to partner organisations, and support in accessing funding opportunities.
- Work with young carers and their families to remove barriers to group attendance.
- Promote youth participation, supporting young carers to have their voice heard and involving young carers and young adult carers in the planning of activities to ensure their need are met.
- To plan and prepare necessary paperwork in advance of sessions to ensure they meet required standards, taking responsibility for accurate record keeping, e.g. risk assessments, parental consent, transport lists, medical forms etc. And ensure post session recordings and evaluations are completed.
- To work across the Young Carers Team and wider organisation, ensuring that where there is identified needs the young carers and young adult carers are stepped up to the appropriate support level.
- To arrange and co-ordinate (in conjunction with the Team Manager), the required staff and volunteers to ensure sessions are adequately staffed for all related activities within agreed ratios.
- To identify opportunities and forge links with other providers for joint working opportunities and to effectively work in partnership with other organisations.
- Evidence the impact of your work through completing regular case studies and measuring impact using the Newcastle Carers Outcome Ladder.
- Work effectively across the Young Carers Team and the wider organisation to ensure the delivery of support is effective and efficient, working with colleagues to innovate to achieve positive outcomes for carers.
- Work within a children’s rights framework, providing inclusive support (including work with underserved communities), and centring delivery on the voice and experience of young carers/young adult carers.
- Demonstrating the values and behaviours of Newcastle Carers in all interactions and working within our policies and procedures.
- Contribute positively to progress reviews, annual development reviews and continued professional development.
- To undertake any other such duties as may be determined by the Line Manager from time to time, commensurate with the service and in line with any developments or changes in the role of the service.
Essential Skills
- Qualification in Youth Work or equivalent
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children, young people and their families.
- Experience of working 1:1 with young people.
- Experience of developing and facilitating/running group sessions for children and young people.
- Able to regularly work evenings and weekends. We would anticipate that this would be three evenings per week.
- Experience of managing a varied and challenging workload.
- Able to problem solve and manage unexpected situations.
- Experience of implementing participation and engagement models.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to develop and maintain relationships with carers and professionals delivering clear and concise information.
- Knowledge and experience of working practices within various settings including Health, Social Care, Education and Community Based settings.
- Ability to apply policies and follow safeguarding procedures.
- Ability to take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of a safe working environment, including risk assessments etc
- Confident using IT systems, including digital support service, with experience of using Microsoft 365, including Word, Outlook, Excel, MS Teams (Desirable)
- Strong commitment to equality and diversity. A person who recognises, respects and values difference.
- Committed to being Empowering, Inclusive, People- Focused and Empathetic in line with Newcastle Carers' values.
- Knowledge of the issues that affect carers and the legislation and policies that impact their lives (Desirable).
We offer our employees a range of benefits and support
You will work as part of a supportive and committed team, striving to make a difference in the lives of carers. We are dedicated to addressing the health issues of our staff and have been awarded the ‘Better Health at Work Award Maintaining Excellence’ Award. We are also committed to promoting the wellbeing of our staff through the Mindful Employer Charter. In addition, we can offer you:
- An inclusive and values-based environment
- Flexible working from day one – a truly flexible working culture
- TOIL (Time Off In Lieu)
- Workplace pension scheme
- A generous holiday entitlement and special leave
- Training and development opportunities
- The opportunity to work as part of a team of passionate people with a great sense of humour!
- Free tea and coffee, with occasional cakes and chocolates (and healthy snacks, of course!)
If you are ready to take on this exciting opportunity and contribute to a cause that truly matters, visit our website to apply at www.newcastlecarers.org.uk/about-join-our-team/young-carers-contact-and-group-practitioner/
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £29,064.00-£30,518.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
