VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian - seeks an experienced practitioner with welfare rights and income maximisation expertise to strengthen the Edinburgh carer support team of welfare rights practitioners. The postholder will be aware of carers’ rights under the Carers Act 2016 and support carers to maximise income from a range of national and local grant funds and community resources.

VOCAL is a carer-led organisation and provides a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. The post-holder will be expected to work as part of a team, improve outcomes for carers and maximise uptake of VOCAL services.

As well as extensive knowledge of welfare rights and benefits entitlements for carers, older people, children and people with disabilities or long-term conditions, applicants will evidence excellent people, and communication skills, casework and person-centred support work. Applicants will also demonstrate a sound knowledge of: health and social care issues and the needs and situation of carers; and possess strong digital skills.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced support work practitioner to join its busy and expanding Edinburgh team providing casework support to carers. The post holder will support carers living or caring in the South East of Edinburgh to plan and access person-centred support for their caring situation, their health and wellbeing and their personal development. There will be particular focus within the role on improving the health and wellbeing of carers and an expectation to work in partnership with other agencies to deliver carer supports. Applicants will evidence excellent people, and communication skills, casework and person-centred support work.

VOCAL is a carer-led organisation and provides a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. The post-holder will be expected to work as part of a team, improve outcomes for carers and maximise uptake of VOCAL services.

Applicants will evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers, will be expected. Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL is a carer-led organisation. Applicants will evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey.

Applicants will evidence experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support, with particular expertise in income maximisation, money advice and welfare benefits.

Excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers.

Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

An exciting new opportunity has arisen to work with VOCAL supporting the engagement, planning, delivery and promotion of the carer training and peer support programme for unpaid carers across Midlothian. VOCAL is a carer-led organisation.

The successful applicant will:

• evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers that carers face at different points of the caring journey;
• demonstrate excellent facilitation and training skills with experience in planning and delivering comprehensive training programmes to a range of audiences;
• possess an excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers; and
• be digitally competent and able to communicate effectively with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers across Lothian - is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced support work practitioner to join its busy and expanding Edinburgh team providing duty and casework support to carers. Within this role there will be a focus on providing duty cover, acting as the first point of contact for carers. In addition, it is anticipated the practitioner will undertake short term casework providing information, advice and signposting to other supports.

The post holder will support carers across Edinburgh to plan and access person-centred support for their caring situation, their health and wellbeing and their personal development. Applicants will evidence excellent people, and communication skills, casework and person-centred support work.

VOCAL is a carer-led organisation. It will therefore be advantageous for applicants to evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Although some direct experience of working with carers is preferred, it is not a prerequisite for this role.

Applicants will evidence experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support. Excellent knowledge of health and social care will be expected, ideally including key legislation and policy affecting carers.

Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL is the leading carer organisation in Edinburgh and Midlothian. We are seeking a qualified and experienced counsellor to provide counselling to adult carers aged 18 years and over based at our Midlothian office. The appointed counsellor will be self-employed and insured. Self employed hours are flexible and can be negotiated between the counsellor and the client to suit. The counselling service is on the COSCA Register of Recognised Organisations. Self-employed counsellors receive individual clinical supervision from a supervisor employed and paid for by VOCAL and will report to the Counselling Service Manager who will line manage the work.

Aims of the counselling service

Provide counselling to adult carers (18 and older) who provide unpaid care to a family member, partner, relative or friend who requires help to manage a long term illness, disability, physical or mental health problem or drug/alcohol addiction in Edinburgh and/or Midlothian.

Role description

Tasks and responsibilities

• To provide individual counselling to adult carers in line with existing counselling service models and as stated in the service’s own Code of Practice for Counsellors.
• To adhere to the COSCA Statement of Ethics and BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Profession.
• To undertake initial intake sessions as required in line with service demand.
• Ensure appropriate session notes and records are kept, i.e. CORE Net.

Person specification

Essential qualifications and experience

• A postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from a recognised educational establishment.
• A minimum of 100 post-qualifying client hours.
• Registered with professional body, i.e. COSCA, BACP, UKCP or equivalent
• Experience in working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma.
• A genuine desire to work with carers and an understanding of issues relevant to carers.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Experience of using CORE Net web based system with counselling clients.
• Experience of working in a voluntary sector counselling service.
• Eligible for accreditation with COSCA, BACP, UKCP or equivalent.

VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) is seeking a Digital and Communications Support Officer. Reporting directly to the Head of Digital and Communications, this is a fast-paced and varied role requiring excellent communication and collaboration with other team members.

You will join VOCAL at an exciting time, as we develop the charity’s communications and set the direction of our digital, marketing and communications activity over the coming years. The role is multi-dimensional and is responsible for supporting different areas of the communications mix, including: social media, web, design, marketing materials, and email marketing.

Your role will be to:

• Support the implementation of VOCAL’s communications strategy

• Develop VOCAL’s digital presence, monitoring social media platforms, conducting website updates and issuing email marketing communications

• Provide design support for the charity’s wide-ranging publications

• Write content for key internal and external publications and digital platforms

• Provide administrative support for communications activities

VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated fundraising professional with strong entrepreneurial skills to support the implementation of VOCAL’s fundraising strategy and business plans.

Applicants will evidence extensive experience in corporate fundraising, partnership development, trust funds and foundations, fundraising events, project planning, management and delivery.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent planning skills to support VOCAL’s strategic approach and the ability to produce detailed implementation plans for fundraising projects. They will bring an excellent knowledge of the main strands of income generation, alongside proven communication, leadership and people skills and an excellent ability to initiate and manage cross sector partnerships and relationships.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers Across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for a Carer Support Practitioner, focused on Welfare Rights, to join our team in Midlothian.

The post holder will support unpaid carers to access person-centred information, advice and support with a specific focus on income maximisation, money advice and welfare benefits. In addition, the post holder will support carers to access a range of additional interventions and services to achieve agreed personal outcomes.

Applicants will evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey.

Applicants will also evidence: experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support, with particular expertise in income maximisation, money advice and welfare benefits; excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers; digital competence; and effective communication skills – able to communicate with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking an enthusiastic, proactive and experienced staff member to join the Edinburgh Carer Support Team to strengthen and deliver short break experiences for carers. The postholder will support unpaid carers to take a break from their caring role and will be involved in coordinating and sourcing short breaks. They will also support VOCAL to secure funding and report to funders.

The postholder will work with carers and VOCAL staff to encourage take up of short breaks provision, prepare them for breaks and undertake evaluations. Breaks include day or residential trips from a range of hospitality and visitor attraction providers across the UK. The postholder will carry a caseload and provide support to help carers identify and prepare for short breaks e.g. brokering transport, replacement care or resources such as equipment.

The successful candidate will have a background in hospitality or support services and will be able to demonstrate excellent customer service, administrative/IT, and organisational skills. Ideally, they will have some knowledge of health and social care provision in Scotland, preferably as it relates to unpaid carers.

VOCAL is the leading carer organisation in Edinburgh and Midlothian. We are seeking an experienced counselling clinical supervisor to provide supervision to VOCAL counsellors. The appointed counselling supervisor will be self-employed and insured. Self-employed hours are flexible and can be negotiated between the supervisor and counsellor to suit. The counselling service is on the COSCA Register of Recognised Organisations.

Aims of the counselling service

Provide counselling to adult carers (18 and older) who provide unpaid care to a family member, partner, relative or friend who requires help to manage a long term illness, disability, physical or mental health problem or drug/alcohol addiction in Edinburgh and/or Midlothian.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• provide 1:1 clinical supervision to between 4-6 counsellors at ratio above
• ensure appropriate records are kept, including completing student reports and other documents required by training institutions

Person Specification

Experience, skills and knowledge required for this post:-

Essential

• On the University of Edinburgh approved list of independent supervisors or eligible for inclusion meeting all current criteria set out by the university
• hold a recognised qualification in counselling supervision or have at least 250 hours experience of counselling supervision practice
• to have practised as a counselling supervisor for at least 2 years
• be a current member of COSCA, BACP, UKCP or equivalent and adhere to their ethical framework for good practice
• Experience of supervising time-limited work and counsellors from a range of modalities
• Experience in managing own time / workload

Desirable

• Counsellor/psychotherapist accreditation by COSCA, BACP, UKCP or equivalent
• An understanding of issues relevant to carers

Management accountability

• accountable to the Chief Executive through the Counselling Service Manager (CSM)
• Meet quarterly with the CSM and the other clinical supervisor
• Deal with urgent safeguarding issues if CRM/other supervisor are unavailable

Conditions of service:

• the supervisor is required to be self-employed and have their own professional insurance
• counselling supervision to take place via video calling, within VOCAL premises or a mutually agreed alternative location in Edinburgh or Midlothian

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for an Administration Assistant to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

Working closely with VOCAL’s lead officers, the administrator will play an important role supporting the day to day administration of the organisation, making administrative processes operate smoothly and efficiently and contributing to a seamless provision of carer support.

Applicants will have experience in a comparable position and be able to demonstrate excellent administration and IT skills as well as data entry experience.

Applicants will be passionate about delivering good client/customer service and ensuring all carers receive a warm welcome when contacting the centre.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for a Deputy Manager – Carer Counselling to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

We seek a qualified counsellor to support the management, coordination and development of all aspects of VOCAL’s Carer Counselling Service, primarily in Midlothian, including: the recruitment, induction, support and line management of volunteer and paid sessional counsellors; referral management, carer assessment through intake sessions and client allocation; and deputising for the Counselling Manager as required.

Experience and skills need to include post-qualification counselling practice; service management and business planning; counselling assessment/intake; managing or supporting counsellors; and membership of a relevant professional body, e.g. BACP, COSCA. Experience of using CORE evaluation system is desirable.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We are looking for a Carer Support Practitioner to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

The postholder will support carers to identify their personal outcomes and needs, and plan and access person-centred support for their caring situation, their health and wellbeing and their personal development.

Applicants will have a sound knowledge of health and social care issues; the impact caring can have on individuals; the needs and situation of carers; and a demonstrated commitment to supporting carers.

Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the range of supports which may alleviate the impact of caring and build carer confidence and resilience.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking a committed professional Volunteer Co-ordinator to play a key role in expanding VOCAL’s positive culture of volunteering. Working in collaboration with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will lead VOCAL’s recruitment, support and coordination of volunteers and will support the development of VOCAL’s quality assurance standards for best volunteering practice (Investing in Volunteers).

The successful candidate will have experience in a similar role or in HR support and be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of volunteering policies, procedures and best practice as well as an understanding of the motivational and training needs of volunteers. In addition, they will demonstrate empathy and have excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills along with strong administrative and IT skills.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Partnership Training Officer to lead the co-ordination and delivery of VOCAL’s carer awareness training as well as support VOCAL’s work with employers through the delivery of training sessions, supporting the facilitation of events and designing bespoke training programmes. The postholder will also work closely with VOCAL’s carer training team to develop best practice and support the development of staff digital competencies and confidence.

The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge and understanding of training methods, delivery and best practice, combined with outstanding digital skills and demonstrable experience of developing and delivering online, in-person and hybrid training. They will have excellent interpersonal skills, able to network and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. A good understanding of the needs and situation of carers as well as some knowledge of the current health and social care environment will also be beneficial.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers across Lothian – is a Scottish charity run by carers for carers since 1994. We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced support work practitioner to join our busy and expanding Edinburgh team providing duty and casework support to carers. Within this role there will be a focus on providing duty cover, acting as the first point of contact for carers. In addition, it is anticipated the practitioner will undertake short term casework providing information, advice and signposting to other supports.

The post holder will support carers across Edinburgh to plan and access person-centred support for their caring situation, their health and wellbeing and their personal development.

Applicants will have a sound knowledge of health and social care issues, ideally including key legislation and policy affecting carers. Applicants will also be able to evidence: excellent people and communication skills; experience of casework and person-centred support work; and digital competence.

It will be advantageous for applicants to be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Although some direct experience of working with carers is preferred, it is not a prerequisite for this role.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for an Administration Assistant to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

Working closely with VOCAL’s lead officers, the administrator will play an important role supporting the day to day administration of the organisation, making administrative processes operate smoothly and efficiently and contributing to a seamless provision of carer support.

Applicants will have experience in a comparable position and be able to demonstrate excellent administration and IT skills as well as data entry experience.

Applicants will be passionate about delivering good client/customer service and ensuring all carers receive a warm welcome when contacting the centre.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Carer Training Officer to support the development, planning and delivery of their carer training programme which includes: workshops and courses focussing on carers’ health and wellbeing; giving information and advice to support the caring role; and providing carers with an opportunity for peer support.

The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of learning and training theory and practice and an ability to undertake each stage of the training cycle. They will also have a good knowledge of health and social care issues, including how the statutory, voluntary and private sectors work, as well as an ability to undertake outcome-focused networking with other agencies and professionals.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - seeks an enthusiastic and experienced Carer Support Practitioner to join its busy and expanding team to provide casework support to carers across Edinburgh. The post holder will support unpaid carers caring for someone living in Edinburgh to plan and access person-centred support for their caring situation, health and wellbeing and personal development.

The postholder will lead an exciting SDS focused project funded by Support in the Right Direction, Inspiring Scotland. They will work collaboratively with staff, relevant organisations and the funder whilst running the project. The project is already well established at VOCAL Edinburgh, and the postholder will be able to draw on the expertise of the practitioner currently leading the project who is moving into another role at VOCAL Edinburgh.

The successful candidate will be employed by VOCAL and based at the Edinburgh Carers’ Hub. VOCAL is a carer-led organisation and provides a wide range of services to support unpaid carers in their caring role. The post-holder will be expected to work as part of a team, improve outcomes for carers and maximise uptake of VOCAL services.

Applicants will evidence excellent people, and communication skills, casework and person-centred support work. Applicants will also demonstrate awareness of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Good working knowledge of health and social care will be expected, with preference given to candidates with applied knowledge of self-directed support. Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable person to join its busy Edinburgh Family Support Addictions team providing casework support to carers affected by another person’s alcohol or drug use. The postholder will manage VOCAL’s Family Support Addictions service and will work to strengthen carer engagement with drug and alcohol services across Edinburgh, working across the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership to do so. In particular, the post-holder will work initially to support implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards in relation to the involvement of family members and carers.

The role would suit someone with experience of working in the alcohol and drugs field in Scotland and who understands relevant current policy and practice in this area, ideally with experience of supporting relevant clients and/or carers. It would offer a positive development opportunity for the right candidate, for instance, those seeking to extend into a management position or wishing to gain more experience working directly to support carer involvement.

Applicants will evidence excellent people, leadership and communication skills, ideally with experience in staff/volunteer management, casework and person-centred support work. They will have an understanding of the needs and supports of carers affected by another’s alcohol or drug use, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for a Carer Support Practitioner to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

Applicants will demonstrate an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey.

Applicants will evidence: experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support, with particular expertise in income maximisation, welfare benefits and future planning; and excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers.

Applicants will also be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994. We’re looking for a Carer Support Practitioner to join the team at our busy Midlothian Carer Centre in Eskbank.

Applicants will evidence an excellent understanding of the diverse range of caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey, specifically those faced by parent carers.

Applicants will also evidence: experience of delivering person-centred information, advice and support, with particular expertise in supporting parents caring for a child with a disability and/or additional support need; excellent knowledge of health and social care, including key legislation and policy affecting carers; digital competence; and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers across Lothian, a Scottish charity run by carers and for carers since 1994.

VOCAL's COSCA recognised Counselling Service provides counselling to adult carers (18 and older) who provide unpaid care to a family member, partner, relative or friend who requires help to manage a long term illness, disability, physical or mental health problem or drug/alcohol addiction in Edinburgh and/or Midlothian.

We are seeking a qualified and experienced counsellor to provide counselling sessions face to face and digitally, in line with existing counselling service models and as stated in the Service’s Code of Practice for Counsellors.

The appointed counsellor will hold a postgraduate diploma in Counselling from a recognised educational establishment and ideally have 250 post-qualifying hours (minimum 150); and be registered with a professional body, i.e. COSCA, BACP, UKCP or equivalent. The diploma course must be validated by COSCA or equivalent.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian is seeking an experienced operations manager to join its busy Edinburgh team providing support to carers. The postholder will work to ensure the smooth delivery of quality carer support, consolidating and developing systems, structures and practice.

They will manage a team of senior support practitioners with responsibility for coordination of duty, allocation and casework recording systems to enable effective carer support in a timely fashion.

The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of health and social care provision in Scotland, including key legislation and policy affecting carers. This will include working knowledge of supports available to support carers, as underpinned by the Carer (Scotland) Act 2016.

Applicants will evidence excellent people, leadership and communication skills, with experience in staff management, casework and person-centred support work. They will have an understanding of diverse caring situations, the impact of caring on peoples’ lives and barriers carers face at different points of the caring journey. Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with individuals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking a Carer Engagement Officer to coordinate and deliver a service supporting carer engagement within mental health services across Edinburgh. This exciting post offers an interesting and varied role for an experienced worker skilled in participatory and engagement practices.

The purpose of the project is to:

• develop supports to mental health organisations interested in better engaging with, and involving their carer constituencies
• consult with, and disseminate feedback from, carers to identify issues they face when engaging with metal health services, enabling them to contribute their views on mental health provision in a way that works for them.

The role will involve project coordination, volunteer management and research skills. The post is funded through the Thrive collaborative. The contract began on 1 December 2020, initially for five years with a possible extension for a further three years.

Applicants will evidence excellent people, leadership and communication skills, with experience in volunteer management, service development and person-centred support work. They will also demonstrate good working knowledge of health and social care services, policy and structures.

Applicants will be digitally competent and effective communicators with professionals, carer groups and partner agencies.

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian - is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Partnership Training Officer to lead the co-ordination and delivery of VOCAL’s carer awareness training as well as support VOCAL’s work with employers through the delivery of training sessions, supporting the facilitation of events and designing bespoke training programmes. The postholder will also work closely with VOCAL’s carer training team to develop best practice and support the development of staff digital competencies and confidence.

The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge and understanding of training methods, delivery and best practice, combined with outstanding digital skills and demonstrable experience of developing and delivering online, in-person and hybrid training. They will have excellent interpersonal skills, able to network and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. A good understanding of the needs and situation of carers as well as some knowledge of the current health and social care environment will also be beneficial.