Senior Peer Support Development Officer (London and the South East)

Funded by the Department of Education, the national peer support service is a game-changing service that creates a sustainable and life-changing legacy. It builds on Kinship’s 10 years of experience in developing peer support groups and 2 years of delivering a national service that has set up 145 new groups.

This role is community-based and focuses on engaging kinship carers, bringing them together to form peer support groups, and supporting them to achieve independence at which point they will receive ongoing support from our national hub. You’ll be home-based with frequent travel across the London boroughs and the South East of England, but initially predominantly working in and around Greater London. Please note that some work outside this area may be required.

You’ll do this by working with local authorities, schools, other charities and community groups. Arranging information events such as coffee mornings to engage kinship carers.

You’ll create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for kinship carers, building belonging, resilience, and empowerment.

Service delivery:

• in-person (face-to-face) strategic outreach into local and regional communities including setting up and attending local engagement events
• working creatively to set up and develop new sustainable in peer support groups, attending up to 6 sessions in person (if needed) before transition to self-sufficiency (existing groups that are at risk, closed or need support will need replacing or rejuvenating to maintain DfE service level agreements across the team, in addition to the development of new groups)
• recruiting and retaining support group leaders to develop their peer support groups
• delivering training to support group leaders (group roles and responsibilities, safeguarding, setting up, running, and promoting a group)
• developing strong boundaries and positive relationships with support group leaders – building resilience, empowerment, and community
• supporting established groups in your area to access support group leader networks and training (this includes visiting groups in person) to build a peer community
• helping develop and deliver a service blueprint for sustainable peer support groups, thinking strategically about how to develop groups
• collaborating closely with the ‘hub’ team to provide a joined-up and positive user experience for kinship carers (this collaborative approach is key to our success and ensures that kinship carers receive the best possible support)
• managing special interest groups and regional online groups as required, transitioning to ‘hub’ team for sustainability and work with partners

Service quality, development and data management:

• accurately recording all recruitment, contact information and volunteer case management in Salesforce in line with service framework and data protection requirements
• ensuring accurate data entry in Salesforce to support service performance, evaluation and learning
• providing regular reports to ensure targets and SLA are met for the service.
• supporting continuous development and improvement of the service (new systems and processes) as required

Management and supervision:

• inspiring, motivating and being responsible for day-to-day line management and supervising up to 4 staff members
• overseeing tactical development of new sustainable groups in your area and your team
• helping set clear objectives to achieve targets and outcomes
• actively encouraging personal development and learning
• increasing efficiencies and impact across the team
• ensuring good team induction processes and systems are in place
• role modelling Kinship values

• experience of team leadership or line management and supervision of a small team and managing performance to deliver targets effectively
• proven experience in reaching and establishing strong relationships with hidden or underserved communities in person
• experience developing peer support communities
• proven experience of recruiting, managing, training and supporting volunteers in community settings with an emphasis on understanding and working with vulnerable volunteers
• proven experience of ensuring outcomes and impacts of services is evidenced through high-quality data collection
• evidence of delivering training/support to volunteers
• strong facilitation skills and essential experience of peer support or user led groups with charity beneficiaries
• understanding of safeguarding particularly around vulnerable families
• excellent communication and engagement skills, with good attention to detail
• full driving license and use of a car for work purposes

• lived experience of kinship care
• experience of using a customer relationship management system effectively (we use Salesforce)
• experience of digital community building (using platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp)