Rapid Responder

Pay: £28,560.00 per year

Job Description:

Senior Care Worker - Rapid Responder

Make a difference when it matters most!

Hours: 74 hours over a two-week period, including alternate weekends and on call for overnight support on a rota basis.
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Community based across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, as required.
Accountable to: Care Contracts Manager

About Them

Our clients vision is a world where no unpaid carer is left in crisis, isolated, or struggling alone.

They support unpaid carers before, during, and after their caring role by providing practical help, emotional support, and timely interventions that genuinely make a difference. An unpaid carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs support due to illness, disability, mental health needs, or addiction.

Each year, they support over 17,000 carers and their families, yet more than 150,000 unpaid carers live across their region and the number continues to rise.

By joining their team, you will play a vital role in supporting carers at some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

About the role

This is not a typical homecare role.

As a Rapid Responder, you will provide skilled, responsive care at short notice to support unpaid carers and the people they care for. You will work across a range of services that help families stay safe, supported, and together when circumstances change suddenly.

Your work may include:

• Providing emergency care when a carer becomes unwell or unavailable
• Supporting hospital discharges to enable people to return home safely and without delay
• Delivering planned short-term care to allow carers to rest and recover
• Working alongside their homecare service to assess needs, plan care, and deliver person-centred support

This role is ideal for experienced care professionals who value autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond routine care visits.

Why work as a Rapid Responder?

• Make a real difference at crisis points for families and unpaid carers
• Varied and rewarding work no two days are the same
• Trusted autonomy work independently while being fully supported by a wider team
• Purpose-led organisation be part of a values-driven charity
• Professional respect your experience, judgement, and compassion matter
• Ongoing development training and support to build confidence in assessments and emergency response

Key responsibilities

As part of a responsive and supportive team, you will:

• Provide person-centred care and support in the community, including emergency and planned care
• Respond at short notice to support customers and families during illness, absence, or crisis
• Travel across Cambridgeshire as required to deliver timely support
• Complete care assessments and risk assessments for new, existing, and emergency packages of care
• Work collaboratively with the wider care and support teams to identify and meet changing needs
• Support hospital discharges by enabling safe and timely returns home
• Signpost customers and families to relevant internal and external support services
• Maintain accurate, timely records on internal systems
• Report incidents and safeguarding concerns in line with policy and best practice
• Provide flexible cover for colleagues during periods of leave or sickness
• Attend induction, training, supervision, and team meetings as required
• Build positive working relationships internally and externally
• Work in line with Caring Together s values, policies, and safeguarding responsibilities

What they offer

• Permanent, full-time role within a respected charitable organisation
• Rota-based working with flexibility discussed in advance wherever possible
• 20 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, with buy/sell options
• Real Living Wage.
• Mileage at 35p per mile.
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Regular supervision and support
• A supportive, values-led team culture
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Funded apprenticeships and qualifications.
• Paid carers leave.
• Wellbeing programme.
• Staff referral scheme.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Access to a 24/7 GP, EAP service and confidential counselling service.
• Death in service benefit of three times your annual salary.

Person specification

Essential

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)

• Experience and knowledge
• Solid experience providing person-centred care in the community or homecare setting
• Experience working independently, using initiative and sound judgement
• Knowledge of delivering care in line with legislative and regulatory standards
• Confidence building professional relationships with customers, families, and colleagues
• Good IT skills and ability to maintain accurate records

Skills and attributes

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure
• Flexible, solution-focused, and compassionate approach
• Willingness and ability to travel across the region
• Commitment to safeguarding and high-quality care

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care
• Experience completing care plan or risk assessments (training provided if needed)

Safeguarding and inclusion

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and children. All staff are expected to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check appropriate to the role is required and renewed every three years.

They are an inclusive employer and value diversity. They welcome applicants from all backgrounds and expect staff to respect the choices, lifestyles, and identities of colleagues, carers, and the people they support.

Recruitment process

Closing date: 28 February 2026
Interviews: Arranged as suitable applications are received
Start date: As soon as possible

Successful candidates will be asked to provide two references (one from a current or recent employer) and original qualification certificates at interview. Proof of right to work in the UK will also be required.

If you are an experienced care professional looking for a role where your skills, judgement, and compassion truly matter, they would love to hear from you.

Other job titles you may have held: Emergency Care Support Worker, Crisis Response Worker, Rapid Response Care Assistant, Community Care Responder, Urgent Care Support Worker, Reablement Support Worker, Hospital Discharge Support Worker, Short Term Care Worker, Community Support Worker, Domiciliary Care Responder

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