Key Worker – Young Carers

Essex County Counci; Colchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a dedicated Key Worker for Young Carers in Colchester. The role involves supporting young carers (0-18) and young adult carers (16-24) and their families with personalised plans, aiming to raise achievements and life chances.

A driving licence and mobility are required. The post is fixed-term/secondment up to 9 months, location Colchester, with duties spanning assessment, outreach, and collaboration with partner agencies to ensure continuity of care and

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification.
• Experience of working with children and/or young people.
• Ability to take responsibility for lone working and manage calendar/working hours.

Responsibilities

• Identify priorities and support needs for Essex young carers and families, developing a shared support plan.
• Take up referrals and meet identified needs with a focus on positive outcomes.
• Provide one-to-one, group, and outreach support, including information and signposting.

Skills

GCSE level or equivalent

Lone working

Communication skills

Education

Youth-focused qualification

Job description

Key Worker - Young Carers

Fixed Term,Full Time

£25,959 to £28,621 per annum

Location:Colchester

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 10th September 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

This is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for up to 9 months.

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 North East Essex quadrant team to support Young Carers (aged 0-18), young adult carers (16-24) and their families. 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. Using 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.
• Work with Essex young carers in line with the agreed model, ensuring that the level of support meets the identified need including 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 encouraging their involvement in the design of their young carers service and supporting them in evaluating the impact of the service upon their own situation.
• Provide targeted outreach and awareness raising activities to other agencies to support the 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 to enable Essex young carers to continue their education, employment or training.
• Support the development and facilitation of Essex young carers networks and forums to ensure that the voice of young carers is heard and that they are in a position to be able to shape and influence the service.
• Ensure that the Essex County Council policies, procedures and practice for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people are implemented.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification which is focussed on working with young people (e.g. LDSS, Social work, Youth and Community, Teacher, Careers) or equivalent or demonstrably equivalent experience.
• Experience of working with children and/or young people
• Ability to take responsibility for lone working and managing calendar/working hours.
• Flexible professional approach to meet needs of young people and service
• A broad understanding of the issues affecting young carers and young people, opportunities for learning and the services provided by the partner organisations.
• Experience of working with young people on a one to one basis and in groups.
• Excellent communication skills with experience in effective collaborative working with other agencies at a local level.
• Experience of successfully involving young people and families in decision-making processes.

To read more about us please visit: Education

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in