Carers Service Coordinator (Maternity Cover)
Salary: £25,884 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Whitstable, Kent (hybrid working) with travel across East Kent
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover for up to 12 months
Support carers. Build communities. Make a difference.
Carers' Support East Kent is looking for a compassionate, organised and proactive professional to join our team as a Carers Service Coordinator (Maternity Cover). Working as part of a small and supportive team, you will help unpaid carers access information, support and opportunities that improve their wellbeing and ability to continue caring.
Working as part of a small and supportive team, you'll help carers access information, support and opportunities that improve their wellbeing while contributing ideas and feedback that help us continue to improve our services.
You'll build relationships with carers, communities and partner organisations, support the delivery of activities and services, and contribute ideas that help us continually improve the support we provide. The role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference while developing your skills within an established local charity.
If you're passionate about helping people, enjoy building relationships and want to make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Role
Working across East Kent, you will:
- Provide information, guidance and practical support to unpaid carers by telephone, online and in person.
- Help carers access services, grants, wellbeing activities and community resources.
- Organise and facilitate support groups, activities, events and wellbeing opportunities.
- Build positive relationships with carers, volunteers, communities and partner organisations.
- Support carer involvement and help ensure carers' voices inform and shape our work.
- Contribute to new initiatives and continuous improvement across our services.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Has experience providing information, guidance or support to individuals, families, carers or service users.
- Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Can build positive relationships and work effectively with a wide range of people.
- Is organised and able to manage a varied workload.
- Enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team.
- Is adaptable, proactive and solutions-focused.
- Is confident using digital systems and technology.
- Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle for work purposes.
This role involves working directly with unpaid carers and is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Accessibility: Please note that our office is located on the first floor of a building and is currently accessed by stairs only, with no lift available. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, please contact us to discuss your individual needs.
Why Join Us?
We are committed to supporting unpaid carers and strengthening communities across East Kent. We offer a supportive working environment where colleagues are encouraged to contribute ideas, develop new skills and play an active role in helping us respond to the changing needs of carers.
Contract Information
This is a fixed-term maternity cover position for up to 12 months. The appointment is linked to the substantive postholder's maternity leave and may therefore end earlier or be extended depending on service requirements and the postholder's return-to-work arrangements.
Although the role is temporary, Carers' Support East Kent is committed to supporting colleagues to explore suitable opportunities that may arise within the organisation during or at the end of the fixed-term period.
Benefits of working for Carers’ Support East Kent
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing every 2 years to a maximum of 28 days [pro-rota for part-time positions]
- Annual Wellbeing Day
- Sick Pay scheme
- Workplace pension scheme – Royal London with ProfitShare
- Salary Exchange scheme
- Enhanced Carer’s Leave
- Health Cash Plan – reimbursement of some everyday health expenditure costs and access to GP and wellbeing services
- Employee Assistance Programme – access to wellbeing services/resources, counselling and a virtual GP service
- CarerSmart Membership providing offers/discounts on a variety of products and services
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Your CV; and
- A supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role.
Applications should be sent to [email protected].
Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August at midday
We will review applications as they are received and may invite suitable candidates to interview before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received or a successful appointment is made.
Carers Service Coordinator (Maternity Cover)
Job Description
About this role
Working as part of a small and supportive team, the post holder will provide information, guidance and support to unpaid carers, helping them access services, resources and opportunities that improve their wellbeing and support them in their caring roles.
Working as part of a small and collaborative team, the post holder will support service delivery through one-to-one support, group activities, community engagement, carer involvement and partnership working. The role also includes participating in shared team responsibilities, helping ensure enquiries from carers and professionals are responded to in a timely and supportive manner.
As part of a small and evolving organisation, the post holder will contribute flexibly to service delivery, new projects and service development. This role would suit someone who enjoys variety, values teamwork and is motivated by making a difference to the lives of carers and the communities that support them.
Service Delivery and Carer Support
· Work collaboratively as part of a small team, sharing responsibility for responding to incoming enquiries, providing first-line information and support to carers, and ensuring a positive and responsive service.
- Provide information, guidance and practical support to carers by telephone, online and in person, helping them to identify solutions that support their wellbeing and caring role.
- Support carers to access services, grants, wellbeing activities, community resources and other sources of support.
- Build positive relationships with carers, ensuring support is person-centred, responsive and tailored to individual needs.
Activities, Groups and Engagement
- Plan, organise and facilitate support groups, wellbeing activities, social opportunities and other events for carers.
- Encourage carers to participate in activities that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and strengthen peer support networks.
- Promote services and activities to carers and partner organisations.
Carer Involvement and Service Development
- Support meaningful carer involvement in the development, delivery and evaluation of services.
- Work with the Carer Advisory Group and other carers to gather feedback, ideas and lived experience that help shape future services.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new projects, initiatives and opportunities that support carers.
- Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance services, processes and the carer experience.
Community and Partnership Working
· Develop and maintain positive relationships with community groups, voluntary organisations, local partners and stakeholders to improve support and opportunities for carers.
· Promote awareness of carers' needs and the services available through Carers' Support East Kent, helping identify and engage carers who may not otherwise access support.
· Support community-based approaches that strengthen support for carers and contribute to the development of carer-friendly communities.
· Engage with the Carer Advisory Group, carers and partner organisations to gather feedback, identify emerging needs and inform service development and improvement.
Team Working and Shared Responsibilities
· Work flexibly as part of a small and collaborative team, providing support and cover for colleagues and contributing to shared service delivery responsibilities, including responding to incoming enquiries and supporting both carer and parent carer services as required.
· Share responsibility for the administration associated with service delivery, including maintaining accurate records, completing required documentation and supporting monitoring and evaluation activities.
· Embrace new ways of working, including the use of digital tools, technology and automated processes to improve efficiency, service delivery and outcomes for carers.
· Support volunteers involved in service delivery, providing day-to-day guidance, encouragement and practical support, helping them feel confident, valued, connected and part of the team.
· Contribute positively to a culture of teamwork, flexibility and continuous improvement, recognising that in a small organisation everyone has a role to play in achieving shared objectives and supporting carers.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
- Collect and record feedback, outcomes and examples of the difference services make to carers, helping demonstrate impact to funders, partners and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of case studies, outcome information and evidence that supports service improvement and future funding opportunities.
- Contribute to newsletters, social media content and other communications by sharing information, activities, feedback and examples of the difference services make to carers.
- Use feedback, data and lived experience to identify opportunities to improve services and outcomes for carers.
General
· Support the safe and effective delivery of services by following organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
· Undertake other duties appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the post as reasonably requested by the Manager – Carers Services or other senior managers.
Person Specification:
Essential Experience
Experience of:
· Providing information, guidance or support to individuals, families, carers or service users.
· Supporting individuals to access practical, financial, wellbeing or community-based support.
· Building positive relationships and working directly with people to identify needs and achieve positive outcomes.
· Planning, organising or facilitating activities, groups, events or support sessions.
· Working collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, community groups, partners or stakeholders.
· Maintaining accurate records and completing administrative tasks associated with service delivery.
· Using feedback, outcomes or service information to support service improvement.
· Working flexibly and effectively within a team environment.
· Responding positively to changing priorities and service needs.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
· Good understanding of the needs and challenges faced by unpaid carers.
· Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
· Ability to build rapport and establish effective working relationships with carers, colleagues, volunteers and partners.
· Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
· Ability to identify practical solutions and respond positively to challenges.
· Ability to maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities.
· Confidence in using digital systems and technology to support service delivery.
· Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection and professional boundaries.
· Ability to contribute to service development and continuous improvement.
· Understanding of the importance of evidencing outcomes and impact for carers.
The role requires regular travel across East Kent and occasional travel outside of Kent, for example to visit carers, partners, and attend meetings and events.
As some locations are not readily accessible by public transport and travel is an essential requirement of the role, applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Personal Qualities
· Positive, constructive and solutions-focused, with the ability to identify practical ways forward when challenges arise.
· Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to supporting carers, colleagues, volunteers and organisational objectives.
· Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to work effectively when circumstances are evolving or not fully defined.
· Collaborative team player who enjoys working as part of a small organisation where colleagues support one another and share responsibility for success.
· Open to new ideas, opportunities and ways of working, with a commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
· Professionally curious and open to innovation, recognising the opportunities that digital tools, technology and new approaches can bring to service delivery, efficiency and outcomes for carers.
· Enthusiastic about contributing to the development of services and helping the organisation respond to the changing needs of carers and communities.
· Recognises the importance of evidencing the difference services make to carers and is committed to capturing feedback, outcomes and impact to support continuous improvement and future funding opportunities.
· Committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services and positive outcomes for carers.
· Recognises the value of working alongside carers, communities, volunteers and partners to achieve sustainable outcomes for carers.
As a small organisation, we encourage development through a combination of formal learning, collaboration, professional curiosity and involvement in new initiatives. The successful candidate will have opportunities to broaden their skills, contribute to service development and learn from colleagues, partners and carers.
How to apply
Applicants wishing to apply should submit a CV and a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 outlining:
- how their skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role;
- relevant examples of service delivery, teamwork, collaboration and partnership working;
- how they would contribute to the future development of Carers' Support East Kent.
The supporting statement will be assessed against the Job Description and Person Specification as part of the shortlisting process.
Please send to [email protected] by no later than midday Wednesday 26th August 2026
We may review applications as they are received and may invite suitable candidates to interview before the closing date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received or a successful appointment is made.
Pay: £25,884.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Whitstable CT5 1AP
