Job description Usher Kids UK is looking for a compassionate and enthusiastic Family Liaison Officer to provide emotional wellbeing support, guidance and information to our wonderful community of children, young people and their families living with Usher syndrome. Job Title: Family Liaison Officer Responsible to: CEO Location: Remote, with requirement for in-person attendance at some meetings and events during the year (travel expenses covered) Hours: 17.5 hours per week across a minimum of 3 days per week (flexible days, to be agreed with successful candidate) with some out of hours working required (e.g. our annual summer residential camp and twice-yearly family weekend events, with TOIL for out of hours working) Salary: £31,000 per year pro rata, 2.5 days/week (£15,500 actual) Term: 12-month fixed term contract with potential to continue in role as funding allows Annual leave and benefits: 33 days leave pro rata (16.5 days actual). Employer pension scheme with matched contributions of 5% Closing Date: 9th February 2025 ABOUT USHER KIDS UK At Usher Kids UK, w e’re dedicated to empowering children, young people and their families living with Usher syndrome - a rare cause of progressive deafblindness. From the point of diagnosis onwards we provide information, support and resources tailored to the specific and unique challenges of the condition. We create opportunities for families to connect at virtual and in-person events, helping them build friendships, skills and confidence for the journey ahead. Our services are already changing the experiences and outcomes of the next generation: "Our daughter came back from Usher Kids UK summer camp absolutely buzzing - she was confident, proud and talked with excitement about how she is unique." Working at Usher Kids UK, you could help to ensure that every family living with Usher syndrome has access to this life-changing impact. WORKING AT USHER KIDS UK Our charity provides vital support to the Usher community. In recent years, demand has grown for our services so this year we are very excited to be growing our staff team. The new Family Liaison Officer will work alongside our CEO and Events and Communications Officer, playing a vital role in providing both emotional wellbeing and practical support to our young people and their families. The role will be varied and offers the chance to be an important part of our small and friendly team. We recognise the value that each person brings to our charity, encouraging innovation and development, and we support each other to provide the very best services for our community. OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE Family Support Lead As Family Liaison Officer, a big part of your role will be providing tailored support, information and advice to families from diagnosis onwards. This will include: o Responding to enquiries from families o Assessing support needs and signposting to external services as appropriate o Providing follow-up remote support where required o Providing face-to-face support at occasional clinics (normally based in London) o Designing and maintaining support processes and systems o Monitoring engagement and using insight gained to make recommendations for service improvement Emotional Wellbeing Lead As our lead emotional wellbeing practitioner, you will assist in the design and delivery of several of our projects and events. These will include: o Providing support and facilitating daily group sessions with young people aged 11-25 at our annual USHthis summer camp (in 2025, the camp will take place from Friday 25th July - Friday 1st August and you will need to be available for these dates) o Help to deliver our one-day events in the spring and autumn o Co-create the Empowerment Programme for 17-25 year olds with Usher syndrome. This is a pilot programme that aims to support our young adults in developing self-advocacy and identity alongside mentoring through the key milestones in young adult life o Facilitate 1:1 and group sessions on the Empowerment Programme o Facilitate monthly virtual USHchats for parents and carers (these take place one evening a month) Across all aspects of the role, you will need to ensure the safeguarding of and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk who are engaging with Usher Kids UK. PERSONAL SPECIFICATION Experience and Knowledge: o Over 2 years’ experience of providing emotional wellbeing support to: children and adolescents parents/carers and family members o Experience of supporting families with additional needs o Experience of supporting families with sensory or dual sensory needs (desirable) o Experience of family support case management o Experience of facilitating 1:1 and group sessions o Minimum of Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (e.g. youth work, health, social care, education) o Computer literate and confident using MS Office software and video conferencing tools o Good standard of written English and Maths (GCSE grade 5 or above) o Good knowledge of safeguarding processes and systems o Ability to deliver out-of-hours work to accommodate Usher Kids UK events and meetings Skills and Qualities: o A strong desire to help young people and families with additional needs o Excellent communication skills including active listening and a non-judgmental approach o Resilience and ability to set and maintain boundaries o Willing to work flexibly and deal with change o Proactive collaborator and able to develop and maintain external relationships o Drive, determination and self-motivation, with a positive attitude towards work o Excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable in team settings and independent working APPLICATION PROCESS How to apply: Please upload the following to Charity Jobs by 9th February 2025: o An up-to-date CV o A covering letter (no more than 2 pages) explaining why you think you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure you provide evidence and examples which demonstrate how your skills meet the criteria set out in the person specification.