At a Glance
- Tasks: Support unpaid carers by providing information, advice, and organising events.
- Company: Join Citizens Advice Southampton, a charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, NEST pension, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the lives of unpaid carers in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in listening and supporting others to achieve positive outcomes.
- Other info: Friendly team environment with opportunities for personal development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Citizens Advice Southampton is recruiting! We are looking for a Carer Support Officer to work in our Unpaid Carers Support Southampton service.
Location: based in our Southampton office, plus some outreach work. Some home working a possibility on completion of probation.
Citizens Advice Southampton is a local charity providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to over 7,000 people in Southampton every year on any problems they might face. Unpaid Carers Support Southampton (UCSS) is a small team, working within Citizens Advice Southampton. There are an estimated 18,000 unpaid carers in Southampton: people who care for another adult due to illness or disability. Common examples might be a husband who cares for his wife who has dementia; a daughter who cares for her father who has Multiple Sclerosis; a brother who cares for his sister who has a learning difficulty.
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.
The Role
The post holder will be part of a small team who have a shared interest in making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers throughout Southampton city. The post holder will offer front line support to unpaid carers. This will mainly be undertaken by phone, with some face-to-face work, and include carers assessments and reviews (training will be provided). They will actively listen to carers and provide them with information, advice, and support to enable them to continue living their lives to the fullest and reduce any negative impacts of their caring role. The post holder will also deliver some ‘outreach’ in the city. This might involve attending groups to talk to carers and raise awareness. They will be expected to assist with the planning and delivery of carer events eg. monthly carers lunches, and carry out other reasonable tasks in order to support Southampton’s unpaid carers. This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
About You
You will have experience of listening sensitively to and gathering information from people who need support. Ideally you will have experience of helping others to achieve a positive outcome. This role is an opportunity to make a difference at a time when our help has never been needed more. Citizens Advice Southampton and the UCSS Team are a friendly, and dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers. We value our team enormously, and staff can expect an environment where they have opportunities to develop themselves whilst supporting others. We offer a salary which is competitive within the charity sector, as well as a generous holiday allowance and other benefits including a NEST pension scheme and an outstanding Employee Assistance Programme including a GP helpline.
How to Apply
For a job pack please visit our website via the Apply button. Closing date for applications is Monday 20th April at 9am. Interview dates will be arranged with individual candidates as applications are received. We reserve the right to close applications early if a suitable candidate is found, so encourage prompt applications.
Carer Support Officer in Southampton employer: Citizens Advice Southampton
Contact Detail:
Citizens Advice Southampton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Carer Support Officer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sector, attend local events, and connect with current employees at Citizens Advice Southampton. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching common questions for Carer Support Officer roles. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job. We want you to shine, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for helping others! During interviews or networking, share stories that highlight your experience in supporting individuals. This will demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in the lives of unpaid carers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Citizens Advice Southampton.
We think you need these skills to ace Carer Support Officer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting unpaid carers shine through. We want to see why you care about this role and how your experiences align with our mission at Citizens Advice Southampton.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Carer Support Officer position. Highlight relevant experience, especially any roles where you've listened to and supported others. We love seeing how your background fits with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just hit that Apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizens Advice Southampton
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Carer Support Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around providing support and advice to unpaid carers. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Listening Skills
Since this role involves actively listening to carers, be prepared to demonstrate your listening skills during the interview. You might be asked to role-play a scenario or discuss past experiences where you’ve successfully supported someone. Highlight how you gathered information sensitively and helped them achieve a positive outcome.
✨Prepare for Outreach Discussions
Outreach work is a key part of this position, so think about how you would engage with the community. Be ready to discuss ideas for raising awareness among carers and how you would approach delivering events. Showing initiative here can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Adaptability
As part of a small team, collaboration is essential. Share examples of how you've worked well in teams before, especially in challenging situations. Also, be open about your adaptability, as the role may involve various tasks and outreach activities that require flexibility.