Carers Adviser in Abingdon

Action for Carers Oxfordshire is our sister charity and partners with Rethink Mental Illness to deliver Carers Oxfordshire, a support service for people providing unpaid care for someone living in Oxfordshire.

We encourage applications from all candidates to support a more diverse workforce. We are committed to challenging all forms of discrimination and celebrating and promoting diversity throughout our work.

Position

Caring is such an important part of life. No matter what race, religion or society, caring will cross most of our paths at some point. Whether caring for a disabled child, partner, parent or even a friend, carers unselfishly dedicate themselves to enable that loved one to get the most out of life. Carers face new challenges every day, but they cannot do this alone. Carers Oxfordshire supports these special people in our society to look after their own needs and wellbeing, to feel less lonely and more able to cope. Our aim is to help them to look after themselves by providing specialist support from somebody who genuinely cares about caring for carers.

Carer Advisers

Carer Advisers provide direct support for Carers who have significant or complex needs. The Advisers will be responsive and flexible, using expert knowledge and skills to help Carers to maintain their caring role. They will facilitate choices which will enhance the Carers ability to maintain their own personal wellbeing while also supporting a whole family approach.

Hours: 21 - 35 hours a week, Full and part time opportunities available.
Location: Vale and West Oxfordshire
Salary: £13.50 per hour, rising to £14.05 per hour on completion of training and probationary period.
Closing date for applications: 2nd December 2025
Interview: 9th December 2025

Benefits

• 28 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays. Increasing to 33 days after 5 years continuous service
• Charity paid cash health plan. For employees and dependants (up to age 24)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible working
• Charity sick pay
• Free on-site parking
• Pension scheme
• 4 x salary life insurance (subject to pension scheme membership)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Blue Light Card entitlement

Requirements

Main Duties

• To provide direct support for Carers with more complex needs.
• To provide a flexible and responsive approach to managing Carers needs. Carer Advisers will have an advanced understanding to help Carers navigate the health and social care system.
• To support Carers in a variety of settings, this could be over the phone, face to face, via email or online
• Assess the needs and the necessary provision to produce an agreed individualised support and wellbeing plan.
• Work closely with key health and social care colleagues within a variety of teams (GP’s, Social Prescribers, Adult Social Care) to contribute to a holistic, person-centred approach to maintain the Carers wellbeing and independence.
• To support Carers when they are trying to manage admission prevention/discharged from hospital, to establish a robust level of support for the Carer and Cared for. Support Carers who have significant needs and are lonely or socially isolated, by establishing a personal network of support.
• To be responsible for helping Carers access a carers assessment and determine whether the Carer would benefit from a direct payment to help them with their wellbeing.
• To assist Carers who are working or volunteering while also caring, to be able to continue in their role, by advising on support in the community and having knowledge of Carers rights in the workplace.
• Ensure that systems are in place for receiving regular feedback from people using the service to contribute towards the effective monitoring and review of the service.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records on the service data base and systems used.
• Attend regular training sessions to keep information and advice knowledge up to date.
• Understand and adhere to all policies including the Confidentiality and Information and Governance policy and procedures.
• Take active responsibility for your own health and safety and that of others, raising any concerns with the relevant manager, including safeguarding concerns.
• Undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the scale of the post.

Qualifications / Education / Training

Essential

• 3+ O levels/GCSE/CSE or equivalent; grades A-C including Maths & English

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications in community development / information and advice

Relevant Experience

• Working with people using a person-centred approach to their needs;
• Working collaboratively with other statutory and voluntary agencies;
• Identifying individual issues and providing relevant information and support to vulnerable people to act on the information

Desirable

• Community outreach and / or community development and marketing;
• Working in the Charity environment and working with volunteers;
• Maintaining a database;

Relevant Knowledge / Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to relate to people at all levels and in differing circumstances;
• Very good IT skills including Microsoft: Excel & Word; email, internet etc and the ability to keep accurate, up to date record

Desirable

• Good negotiation and presentation skills;
• Knowledge of the locality;

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Strong values of dignity and respect for people and their right to choice and control over their lives;
• An ability to have a whole family approach to providing services and support.
• Emotional resilience
• The ability to: Work to deadlines;
• Prioritise & work well under pressure; Work on own initiative and as part of a team;
• Deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential matters;
• Commitment to Equality and Diversity

Desirable

• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to speak to groups and organisations;

Special Requirements

Prepared to work flexibly and undertake occasional evening and weekend work; Use of a car is essential and the post will be subject to a DBS check;