VSA currently has an exciting new opportunity available to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as a Carer Advisor- Hospital Discharge working with Adult Carers, Young Carers and their Families across Aberdeenshire. This will be a Full-time, Permanent position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.
VSA's Aberdeenshire carers service, supports adults, children, and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire.
The advantage of our information and support is that we are a local based organisation. We have an in-depth understanding of the people of Aberdeenshire and take a localised approach to all our information and carers services.
We are also network partners with the National Carers Organisations, Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers which keeps us briefed with all matters relating to unpaid carers.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Rate of Pay:14.15 p/h or £25,761.49 p.a.
Location: Working from Home (however this role will include home visits to Carers, work within NHS Grampian Hospital settings within Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, as well as community engagement sessions/drop in's, which will be delivered in and around Aberdeenshire). A drivers license and access to your own transport is essential for this role.
Work Pattern: Working 5 days per week (Monday to Friday)
Locations to be Covered: Aberdeenshire Wide with travel to Aberdeen City
We offer our staff fantastic benefits including:
* Company pension
* Employee assistance programme
* Generous annual leave
* Refer a friend programme - Receive £200 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA,
* Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes,
* Gain recognised SCQF Qualifications
* Access to our employee discount scheme
About the role:
The purpose of this role is to provide early support to unpaid carers across Aberdeenshire who are caring for an individual who requires support to be included in the discharge planning process from hospital. You will make an effective contribution to the provision of appropriate information, advice, support, guidance and access to services for unpaid carers. You will also support the carer in preparing a Young Carer Statement / Adult Carer Support Plan in accordance with relevant carers legislation.
Responsibilities of our Carer Advisor will include:
* Work alongside carers referred to service and establish the impact of their caring role & complete young carers statement / adult carers support plan as appropriate detailing the impacts and supports required to support carers to continue in their caring role.
* Raising awareness of the role undertaken by people as carers, their statutory rights & their needs, amongst those professionals who plan and manage services.
* Collating and providing information on services available locally, giving details which can be accessed by carers.
* Work within Aberdeenshire giving talks to raise awareness of carers' issues.
* Advising, guiding and supporting young and adult carers on a one to one and group basis, taking on an advocacy role when required.
* Facilitating group activities, social and training/educational events as determined by the needs and feedback of carers.
* Investigating the nature and extent of on-going unmet needs of carers, and determining ways of meeting those needs in accordance with available resources.
* Regularly reviewing needs of carers in light of changing and evolving circumstances, ensuring that support and information given is relevant and appropriate and in line with current local and national legislation and guidelines.
* Exploring and developing effective communication and informal networks amongst a wide range of individuals, including young and adult carers, volunteers, groups, agencies and health & social care professionals.
* Any other tasks which may arise from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the post-holder's capabilities.
What we are looking for in our Carer Advisor:
Qualifications/Training/Education:
Essential:
* Awareness and understanding of the role of unpaid carers
Desirable:
* A qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or Hospital based experience or relevant post qualifying training e.g. safeguarding
* Awareness and knowledge of current legislation relating to:
o Children and Child Protection issues e.g. the Children's Act (Scotland) 1995
o Adult Protection issues e.g. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
o Disability issues e.g. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
o Carers Right e.g Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025
Experience:
Essential:
* Demonstratable experience of working within the health & social care sector
Desirable:
* Demonstrable knowledge and/or experience of working with young people and adults
* Experience of working with carers.
* Experience of multidisciplinary meeting / case conferences / discharge planning
* Relevant post qualifying training e.g. Safeguarding & Child or Adult Protection.
Key Skills/Aptitudes:
Essential:
* Ability to relate with both adults and young people.
* Well developed interpersonal skills e.g. communication, listening, counselling and negotiating skills.
* Good organisational skills.
* Good IT skills
* Insight when dealing with conflicting demands.
Personal Qualities:
Essential:
* Ability to use own initiative and work as part of multiple teams within health & social care.
* Self-reliance, and ability to work under pressure.
Desirable:
* Appreciation of Community Care issues.
Other Job Requirements:
Essential:
* Flexible approach to working hours- availability to work evenings and weekends (on a planned basis).
* To ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults whilst adhering to current legislation and national/local policies and guidelines.
* Observe Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy as per Agency procedures and adhere to Child Protection guidelines.
* Observe Adult Support & Protection Policy as per Agency procedure and Aberdeenshire HSCP Adult Support & Protection Procedures
* Full and Clean Driving License and access to a vehicle.