Our vision at Carer Support South Lakes (CSSL) is that every Carer should be able to live well and enjoy life feeling supported and included.
Note a person specification will be emailed to you along with an application form and equal opportunities form on request.
We are delighted that you are interested in joining our dedicated team at CSSL. We registered as a charity in 1993, and at that time provided a support group and supported 15 unpaid Carers. Today, more than 30 years on, we have evolved and now offer a range of services to support around 900 unpaid Carers of all ages, from 5 to 100, throughout the South Lakes. We are proud of the many achievements we have made since registering as a charity due to the dedication and hard work of our trustees, staff, local supporters and many volunteers. Our continued success depends on the contribution and expertise of every individual we employ and work with.
What we can offer you…
· Company pension
· 25 days holiday pro rata
· Birthday day off
· Telephone and laptop provided
· Westfield Health (quality health cover)
· Opportunities for PDP (Personal Development Plan) and progression
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Rural Outreach Practitioner (Young Carers)
REPORTS TO: Young Carer Services Manager
SALARY: £19,700 (£24,625 FTE)
HOURS: 28 hours per week (4 days/week)
Negotiable for the right candidate
LOCATION: South Lakeland – Kendal office based, travel across the rural corridors (e.g. Coniston, Hawkshead, Cartmel Peninsula). Full driving licence and access to a car - essential.
CONTRACT: 12-month fixed-term contract, with the intention to extend subject to securing further funding.
MAIN TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Proactively identify "hidden" Young Carers across South Lakeland's rural areas who are not currently known to services. This includes working with schools, GPs and community contacts.
- Deliver 1-2-1 emotional and practical support to Young Carers within their own community, reducing the travel burden associated with rural isolation.
- Undertake assessments using CSSL's Young Carer Assessment Tools and formulate individual support plans.
- Establish and run rural-specific “Social Clubs” in village locations, providing a safe space for peer support and reducing isolation.
- Build and maintain relationships with rural schools, helping staff to recognise and respond appropriately to caring responsibilities.
- Identify and apply for small grants and trusts to fund equipment or experiences for individual rural Young Carers, and support wider transport initiatives such as driving lesson funding.
- Establish and maintain professional standard case notes on individual Carers, completing all database requirements for record keeping and monitoring.
- Work with statutory and voluntary agencies, including liaison with N-Compass (the statutory Young Carer service) on shared cases as referral routes develop, and work in accordance with the county-wide Safeguarding Protocols.
- Refer or signpost Young Carers and their families to other organisations which can provide relevant services.
- Contribute to universal service delivery: respite trips, monthly age-banded social clubs, education support (tutoring coordination, laptop loans, financial support for materials).
- Contribute case studies and qualitative feedback to CSSL's evaluation framework, and attend Carer events, meetings, forums and deliver presentations as required.
- To carry out other such relevant duties as are required by this post.
ORGANISATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF EMPLOYEES
- Carry out duties in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Carry out duties in accordance with CSSL policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Equal Opportunities and Data Protection.
- Contribute to the overall achievement of CSSL’s mission and objectives.
- Ensure the values of CSSL are upheld across the organisation.
- Assist CSSL in Community Fundraising initiatives.
- Promote CSSL social enterprise initiatives.
- Participate in fundraising activities with and on behalf of CSSL.
- Provide a supportive working environment to all staff and Volunteers.
- Attend regular supervisions, staff and team meetings as requested.
- Contribute to research and reports.
This job description outlines the principal responsibilities and duties of the post holder. It is not meant to be, nor is it, an exhaustive list of specific responsibilities and duties. The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties which could reasonably be expected as being within the remit of the post and which arise out of evolution as the organisation develops, changes in legislation, regulations, orders, rules and working practices, methods and procedures and reviews, as directed from time to time.
TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
You must complete an application form and equal opportunities form available upon request from You may attach a letter but please don’t send photographs. We do not accept CVs.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS
This vacancy closes on 7 September 2026. Forms received after this time will not be processed. Early application is encouraged as we reserve the right to close this job advert if we find a candidate that is suitable. Your completed application form, Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exception) Order 1975 and equal opportunities monitoring form should be returned by one of the following methods:
By email:
Please email [email protected]. If successful, you will be asked to sign your electronic application form at interview. Please note that our email servers will not accept emails larger than 10MB.
By post:
Rory Restall (Chief Executive Officer), Carer Support South Lakes, Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4PU
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
Email applications will be acknowledged when we receive them. Should you wish to receive an acknowledgement for a postal application, please include a self-addressed envelope with a 1st or 2nd class stamp and we will return this to you.
INTERVIEWS
Interview date TBC
Pay: £19,700.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
