Key Worker – Young Carers
Permanent, Full Time
£25,081 to £27,653 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: Sunday 30th November 2025 at 11.59pm
Interview Date: 15th December 2025
About the Role
Do you have a passion for working with Young Carers, able to organise and manage your workload, good at communicating and able to work as part of a team? We are seeking a district based Key Worker to work within our West Essex quadrant team to support Young Carers (aged 0-18), young adult carers (16-24) and their families, overseeing referrals/cases in the Epping Forest Area. You will provide individualised support in relation to their caring role, to raise achievement and aspirations and to allow them to have the same life chances as their peers.
Responsibilities
* Work with Essex young carers and their families to identify priorities, support needs, interventions and goals, developing and implementing strategies for securing these.
* Use assessment and monitoring to motivate young carers and their families to achieve a shared and mutually agreed support plan/contract.
* Take up referrals and work with Essex young carers in order to identify, understand and meet their needs, with an emphasis on promoting positive outcomes.
* Provide one-to-one support, peer group support, telephone support, advocacy, provision of information, signposting, training opportunities and workshops.
* Promote young carers' self‑awareness, confidence and encourage their involvement in the design of their service and evaluate the impact upon their own situation.
* Provide targeted outreach and awareness raising activities to other agencies to support increased identification of Essex young carers including presentations, workshops and events.
* Pro‑actively work in partnership with other agencies including educational settings and adult services to ensure ongoing support to young carers, particularly at points of transition and enable them to continue their education, employment or training.
* Support the development and facilitation of Essex young carers networks and forums.
* Ensure all Essex County Council policies, procedures and practice for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people are implemented.
* Work flexibly and deliver services as directed, meeting specific individual and shared targets.
Experience and Qualifications
* A relevant professional qualification focused on working with young people (e.g. LDSS, Social work, Youth and Community, Teacher, Careers) or equivalent experience.
* A broad understanding of the issues affecting young carers and young people, opportunities for learning and the services provided by partner organisations.
* Experience working with young people on a one-to-one basis and in groups.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Experience in effectively working collaboratively with other agencies at a local level.
* Experience of successfully involving young people and families in decision‑making processes.
* Flexibility and excellent time management skills, ability to work evenings, weekends and residential work.
* Excellent numeracy, literacy (GCSE A–C or equivalent) and ICT skills.
Why Essex County Council
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. You will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements.
Important Information
The role requires mobility throughout an operational area. The post holder must have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or have the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. If a DBS check is required you will need to register with the DBS update service.
Equal Opportunities
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and commits to interview all disabled applicants under the Job Interview Scheme, as well as veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. We value integrity and ethical behaviour. Please embrace our code of conduct and Nolan principles.
For any queries regarding this role, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk.
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