About us

The Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland, provides grants to third sector organisations that support unpaid carers to take a break from their caring role. The fund aims to increase the range and availability of short breaks across Scotland, allowing more carers to take the right break at the right time.

About the role

Assessors support our grant application processes and make objective assessments of applications for funding, which includes an assessment phone/video call.

Experience in grant assessment is desirable but not essential. We are looking for applicants who bring:

• An understanding of the need for carers to have a break from caring – either through lived experience, or in a professional setting

• A commitment to the ensuring that those carers most in need can access a break

• Knowledge of the third sector in Scotland and its role in supporting carers

• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills

• An ability to hold structured conversations which lead to further insight and understanding

• An ability to work independently, but within an agreed framework

• An ability to write clear and concise reports

• An ability to take on feedback

Assessors will be paid £85 per assessment and £100 for attendance at the initial, in person training. Future training sessions will be paid at £50. Assessors will need to be registered for their own tax and national insurance and have access to a telephone and computer.

Our usual assessment windows are from June - July and December - January. You will need have availability to contact applicants, undertake an assessment phone/video call and complete your assessments during these periods. Each assessment should take no longer than 4 hours. Assessors will be expected to undertake at least 8 assessments per round.

Location

Assessors are expected to work remotely apart from the initial in person training.

There will likely be occasional travel required to our office in Dunfermline.

Shared Care Scotland is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to improving the quality and provision of short breaks in Scotland for unpaid carers. Unpaid carers are incredible people who step in and support family members, partners or friends. They may need help because of their age, they are unwell, frail, have a disability, addiction or mental health issues and need support to live independently. It is estimated there are 700,000 to 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, forgoing their own free time and recreation to ensure a loved one has personal and attentive support regardless of when its required.

The organisation’s vision is for a Scotland where everyone who receives or provides unpaid care can live a full and satisfying life, with the assistance they need to take regular quality breaks from the everyday demands of their caring routines.

SCS manages the Shorts Breaks Fund on behalf of Scottish Government by providing grants to third sector organisations that support unpaid carers to take a break. Taking a break is essential for us all and for unpaid carers a break means, rest, recovery and improved quality of life.

The organisation also contributes to the development of policy and best practice, helping build resilience in partner organisations over and above the provision of funding. SCS carries out and contributes to research on short breaks whilst providing information and advice to individuals and organisations supporting carers through the provision of a telephone service and online directory.

Shared Care Scotland is recruiting a passionate individual to join the team as their new Short Breaks Fund Manager. This post is responsible for the continued operation and development of the SBF programme, ensuring that strategic outcomes are achieved and the positive impact of SBF is increased. The post will manage grant operations throughout the grant making cycle, track and measure outcomes and impact, develop learning opportunities, and represent the SBF and SCS at various events and within various networks.

The ideal candidate will share the organisation’s passion for developing new and creative short break opportunities for carers, be able to establish strong relationships with partners and networks and thrive in a collaborative working environment. Grant making experience would be highly beneficial and experience of managing fundraising or grant applications would be essential.

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact Mike Orr, at our recruitment partners, Aspen People, on 0141 212 7555.

We are recruiting for a Grants Officer to join Shared Care Scotland’s Short Breaks Fund team. This is a key role within the team with responsibility for overseeing the delivery and effective administration of our Better Breaks funding programme. Better Breaks provides grants to third sector organisations that provide a range of fun activities and holidays to disabled children, young people and their families.

Our ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player with proven project management experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and with a strong focus on quality and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will also share our passion for developing new and creative short break opportunities.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply their skills, knowledge and experience to the ongoing development of the Better Breaks programme, ensuring it continues to operate to the highest standards, achieves its strategic goals, and delivers the best possible outcomes for carers and cared-for people.

About Shared Care Scotland

Shared Care Scotland (SCS) is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to improving the quality and provision of short breaks in Scotland for adult and young carers and the people they help care for. It is estimated there are 700,000 to 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, forgoing their own free time and recreation to ensure a loved one has personal and attentive support regardless of when its required.

SCS manages the Shorts Breaks Fund on behalf of Scottish Government by providing grants to third sector organisations that support breaks from caring. For carers, and for the people they care for, regular access to flexible, personalised short breaks, as part of a wider package of assistance, is essential to good health and wellbeing, and enables carers to have a life alongside their caring responsibilities.

*We are working towards introducing a hybrid model, and it is anticipated that the successful candidate will have flexibility to work remotely, with the anticipation that they will attend our office location as necessary.

Are you passionate about the short breaks needs of unpaid carers in Scotland? Do you want to be part of an enthusiastic and hardworking team that champions inclusive tourism? We are delighted to be expanding our team to welcome a Coordinator for our Respitality initiative.

This key role will be responsible for working with local carer support services in developing and delivering Respitality in their regions, and working closely with the Respitality Manager to recruit new regions. The successful applicant will help us raise the profile of the initiative across Scotland through various media/promotional activities. Helping to monitor and report on the progress of Respitality is also an important aspect of this role.

Our ideal candidate will be passionate, enthusiastic and able to work both in a team and independently and have a proven track record of managing and reporting on project work to deadlines. An understanding of the needs of unpaid carers and the importance of short breaks, and experience of media content creation is also desirable

The successful candidate will help us to realise our ambitions and vision for Respitality, working collaboratively with stakeholders across various sectors and communities in Scotland.

Are you an experienced Administrator looking for a new challenge? Shared Care Scotland is an innovative national charity, based in Dunfermline, working to support Scotland’s unpaid carers to access short breaks and respite.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable Administrator with a proven commitment to customer service and experience of working in a busy office. In return we offer a supportive, collaborative team environment with excellent terms and conditions.

This is an exciting time to join Shared Care Scotland as new legislation brings pivotal changes to short breaks and, for the right candidate, this offers huge potential to develop within the role.

Shared Care Scotland (SCS) is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to improving the quality and provision of short breaks in Scotland for adult and young carers and the people they help care for. It is estimated there are 700,000 to 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland.

We have a vision of a Scotland where everyone who receives support or provides unpaid care can live a satisfying life, with the assistance they need to take regular, quality breaks from demanding caring routines.

As one of Scotland’s leading National Carer Organisations we contribute to the development of policy and best practice for carers. Our activities include events, learning exchange networks, publications, and research. We also host a national online directory of short break services and manage a £6m Short Breaks Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government which provides grant funding to third sector organisations to help carers access breaks from caring.

For more information visit our website: sharedcarescotland.org.uk

Are you a social media whizz? An excellent copywriter? Passionate about the power of good communications?

Shared Care Scotland is an innovative national charity, based in Dunfermline, working to support Scotland’s unpaid carers to access short breaks and respite. We are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable communications assistant with a proven commitment to a wide range of high-quality communications activity. In return we offer a supportive, collaborative team environment with excellent terms and conditions.

This is an exciting time to join Shared Care Scotland as new legislation brings pivotal changes to short breaks and this means good communications have never been more important. For the right candidate this offers huge potential to develop within the role, to innovate and bring creative ideas and be part of a team that can have real impact of the lives of unpaid carers.

Shared Care Scotland is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to supporting unpaid carers and their families by improving access to personalised breaks from caring. We aim to be the lead organisation in Scotland people turn to on all aspects of short breaks policy and practice.

In recognition of this, and the growing national significance of short breaks policy, our team is expanding.

We are now recruiting a Head of Operations and are looking for the right person to support this growth and help set the direction of Shared Care Scotland as we go forward.

With a focus on effective governance including operational development, delivery and evaluation, this crucial role will help our staff deliver their best in a supportive and fulfilling working environment while achieving a healthy work-life balance.

The role requires someone with proven experience of turning strategy into deliverable plans, implementing these plans, and evidencing their impact. Leadership experience, particularly in relation to coaching and empowering staff will also be essential. Our ideal candidate is proactive, solution-focused, and motivated to perform consistently to the highest standards as well as being adaptable in this new role.

What we offer in return is a supportive team environment, excellent Terms and Conditions including a generous pension scheme and flexible working arrangements. We also pride ourselves on being an organisation with a positive, encouraging, and forward-thinking attitude which allows staff to flourish and reach their full potential.