We're Hiring
We are currently recruiting for two roles in our Young Carers Project
Targeted Support Worker
Salary: £18,345 pro rata
Hours: 18 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
Join our Young Carers Project supporting young people through one-to-one and group work to improve wellbeing and resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide targeted support
- Build relationships
- Support wellbeing
- Monitoring and outcomes
- Maintain records
- Follow safeguarding
Young Carers in Schools Coordinator
Location: Surbiton/London (with some Hybrid working)
Salary: £36,691
Hours: 36 hours
Contract: 3-year fixed term
Closing Date: Monday 15th June
Interviews: W/C 22nd June
About the Role
Lead delivery of a schools programme supporting young carers and building partnerships across education settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver programme
- Build partnerships
- Train staff
- Improve outcomes
- Report impact
- Ensure safeguarding
Both Roles:
Location: Surbiton/London (with some Hybrid working)
Closing Date: Monday 15th June
Interviews: W/C 22nd June
Further Details & Applications here: Job opportunities
Make a difference to Young Carers in Kingston.
Kingston Carers Network Announces Carers Week 2026 Timetable
This year’s Carers Week theme, ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, highlights the importance of creating places, services and organisations where unpaid carers feel recognised, understood and supported.
Carers Week 2026 takes place from 8–14 June and we’re delighted to announce our programme of activities and events taking place across Kingston throughout the week.
At Kingston Carers Network (KCN), we know that building carer friendly communities means more than raising awareness alone. It means creating opportunities for carers to access support, connect with others, focus on their wellbeing and feel recognised within their local community.
With this year’s theme in mind, our Carers Week timetable brings together activities focused on health and wellbeing, community connection, practical support and helping Kingston become a more carer friendly borough.
Across the week, carers will also be able to take part in a range of other activities and support sessions, which you can book here:
- Free health check-ups and wellbeing advice with Kathy Wong, Health Engagement Officer at Kingston Voluntary Action
- A benefits and advice open-day with our Benefits and Tribunal Representative, offering practical support around finances and entitlements
- A picnic at Hampton Court, giving carers the chance to relax, connect with others and enjoy a well-earned break from their caring responsibilities
- Free beauty and wellbeing treats kindly delivered by Kingston College students, after Kingston College reached out to show their support for local unpaid carers
A highlight of the week will be a special partnership event with Carers UK and Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston and Surbiton. The afternoon will focus on hearing directly from carers about what truly supportive communities look and feel like, alongside activities, refreshments and prizes donated by local businesses in recognition of carers and all they do.
Please note that due to overwhelming popularity, we are currently at capacity for this particular event, but will release more places if they become available.
Our young carers groups will also be taking part in themed activities during the week, including a special yoga session led by Rebekah Arkle, founder of local yoga school All Shapes Yoga. Alongside this, KCN will be delivering school assemblies at local schools to help raise understanding of young carers, as many young people do not realise they are young carers or that support is available to them.
Carers Week is an important opportunity to celebrate carers, create understanding of the challenges many face and highlight the difference that supportive communities can make. Across Kingston, we want carers to feel recognised, valued and connected – not just during Carers Week, but on every day of the year.
Find out more about Carers Week 2026
Want to know more about how we can support you and always be the first to hear about upcoming activities and opportunities? Register with us today.
Kingston Carers Network awarded grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to expand support for young carers in schools
The three-year grant will help more young carers in Kingston schools access tailored support, mentoring and opportunities to thrive
Kingston Carers Network (KCN) has been awarded £145,979 from The National Lottery Community Fund to expand support for young carers in schools across Kingston over the next three years.
The funding will help us launch a Young Carers in Schools project, supporting young carers to be identified earlier, feel safer asking for help and access the support they need to learn, develop and thrive.
Young carers are children and young people who help care for someone at home who may have a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or substance misuse issue, all while balancing school and their own personal lives.
Over the next three years, we will work with Kingston secondary schools to help them identify and support young carers in their schools by expanding school-based peer support groups, providing 1:1 mentoring and young carer leadership opportunities.
By improving identification and support, we hope to help young carers feel more confident in school, improve attendance and participation, strengthen wellbeing and increase their sense of belonging, agency and aspirations for the future.
J is an 11-year-old young carer who has been recently supported through KCN’s Young Carers Project. When starting secondary school, she felt isolated and struggled with anxiety and friendship difficulties, often without anyone to sit with at lunch.
Through our lunch clubs, mentoring and advocacy, J has now built friendships and grown in confidence, leading to significantly improved school attendance and a successful request for extra time completing assignments. J’s story demonstrates the impact of tailored support and reinforces the need to expand this work across more schools through a dedicated Young Carers in Schools project.
“We will work closely with schools to help staff better understand the needs of young carers, recognise potential signs that a student may be a young carer and feel more confident about what to do when a young person needs support,” said Klaire Osuji, our Young Carers Project Manager.
“We want young carers to feel safer and more confident disclosing their caring responsibilities and seeking support within school.”
The Young Carers in Schools project will be led by a new Young Carers in Schools Coordinator, a dedicated role focused on strengthening support for young carers across Kingston schools.
Rachael Stokes, our CEO, said: “We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to all National Lottery players for making this work possible. This investment will help us continue building a future where carers of all ages across Kingston are recognised, valued and supported to live and care well.”
Mental Health Awareness Week: 11 - 17 May
We’re highlighting our adult mental health carers support group, co-run with Kingston Mental Health Carers’ Forum, alongside reflections from young carer volunteer Jake for Mental Health Awareness Week.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, Kingston Carers Network (KCN) is highlighting the experiences of unpaid carers supporting someone with a mental health condition, alongside the importance of carers looking after their own wellbeing.
Many carers balance caring responsibilities alongside work, study and family life, often putting the needs of others first. We continue to provide tailored support, including a dedicated peer support group for carers supporting someone with a mental health condition.
The group is co-run with Kingston Mental Health Carers' Forum (KMHCF), a local organisation that provides support and advice for unpaid carers of people experiencing mental health difficulties, alongside respite activities, representation and campaigning work.
The group offers a safe and welcoming space for carers to connect, share experiences and access support, with guest speakers regularly providing practical guidance. Recent speakers have included Dalvinder Jammu, who spoke about accessing NHS 111 and urgent care services, and mental health law manager Tom Lelmezh, who explained the key changes in the Mental Health Act 2025 and what they mean for carers and patient rights.
This month, KCN and KMHCF are also launching a new joint monthly update, sharing information, news and opportunities of specific relevance to those caring for someone with a mental health condition. You can sign up to receive it here.
Alongside support for adult carers, KCN also runs a dedicated Young Carers Project offering advice, one-to-one support and activities for children and young people with caring responsibilities.
A key moment during this year's Mental Health Awareness Week will be a speech from Jake, who first became involved with our service when he was just five years old as a young carer and has continued his journey with us ever since. Today he volunteers and speaks with young carers about his experiences.
In his speech to our youth group, Jake will reflect on the importance of support and connection:
“Taking care of your mental health is important, even if you feel like no one cares about you, someone does.
Sometimes, the hardest thing for people, especially young adults or teenagers, to say is “I need help”. However, to help your mental health, admitting that you can't do something on your own is important.
Everyone in this room could be a person that helps you out the most, whether it’s a member of the Young Carers Project, or one of the volunteers. Perhaps one of your friends or siblings – find someone who will care and take the time to help you find and get the support you need.
Mental health isn't one problem with one solution; it's hundreds of tiny problems with hundreds of solutions.
However, something can always be done. Don't feel afraid to admit when you need help and say “I need help”. Maybe you're the solution to someone else's mental health puzzle.”
We thank Jake for his inspiring words and hope this week encourages more open conversations and greater awareness of the support available to carers across Kingston.
To find out more about available support and upcoming opportunities for adult carers of someone with a mental health condition, register with Kingston Carers Network and Kingston Mental Health Carers' Forum today.
Or visit our Young Carers Project page to find out how we support children and young people.
Kingston Carers Network celebrates success at Kingston Borough Business Awards
We’re proud to share that KCN has won Community Impact of the Year and been Highly Commended in the Outstanding Young Futures category.
Picututed above, The KCN team: back row left to right: Sheila Leatherdale, Steven Blake, Claire Darby, Partner at Pearson Hards Solicitors and category sponsor, Rachael Stokes, Amanda Simner. Front row: Klaire Osuji and Tony Woods
The Kingston Borough Business Awards took place on 23 April at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston, bringing together organisations from across the borough to celebrate the people and work shaping Kingston’s economy and community today.
Winning Community Impact of the Year means a lot to us. It recognises the work we do alongside unpaid carers across Kingston, making sure carers are recognised, valued and enabled to live and care well. Being highly commended in Outstanding Young Futures also demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting young carers and amplifying their voices.
Reflecting on the evening, our CEO Rachael Stokes said: “As a borough-based charity, our work is sustained by the generosity of Kingston residents who volunteer with us, by community organisations who partner with us and by local businesses who gift their services or sponsor our work. This award is for all of you as we could not exist without you!”
Our Young Carers Project (YCP) Manager, Klaire Osuji said: "We see incredible resilience in children as young as five years old, and being Highly Commended for Outstanding Young Futures helps celebrate them and encourage the bright futures they deserve. I’m incredibly proud of our YCP team for the passion they bring to supporting our young people, through their own lived experience. We will continue striving to create brighter futures for young carers."
Forbes Low, CEO of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, congratulated all winners and finalists on the night, commenting: “A very big well done to our Winners; keep your inspiring work going. To our finalists, never forget how good your work is; how many people benefit from what you do. We should feel immense pride in these achievements. Kingston has an impressive strength and identity that many boroughs would dearly wish to have.”
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us during this year’s awards, including those who took the time to vote for us.
Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists. A massive thank you to the award sponsors and to Kingston Chamber of Commerce for hosting a fabulous ceremony.
Carer’s Allowance Overpayments Reassessment Exercise: An explainer for Carers
On the 13 April, the Government announced that it will undertake a Carer’s Allowance Reassessment Exercise to review overpayments charged to carers, following an independent review.
We know this announcement may cause some concern and confusion amongst carers. This page explains what we know and what you should do.
Remember, carers don’t need to do anything now. In most cases the Department will get in touch with people whose overpayments of Carer’s Allowance may be affected. There is more information on the DWP website.
Below are a list of carer FAQs relating to the overpayments reassment exercise. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us - we’re happy to help.
What was the report about Carer’s Allowance Overpayments published in November 2025, and what did it say?
The Independent Review led by Liz Sayce OBE looked into why earnings‑related overpayments of Carer’s Allowance have happened, how carers affected by them can be better supported, and what can be done to stop similar issues in the future.
It found that the guidance being used by DWP between April 2015 and September 2025 wasn’t clear.
What is the reassessment exercise?
Because the review found that guidance on averaging fluctuating earnings between April 2015 and September 2025 wasn’t clear, DWP is putting in place steps to run a reassessment exercise.
DWP wants to reassure carers that the reassessment around the use of averaging earnings will only affect a very small number of cases.
This reassessment exercise will not result in carers owing DWP any more money.
You will be informed if DWP reviews your claim and there has been a change that reduces the outstanding debt or results in a refund of what you’ve already paid. Your earnings‑related overpayment will not increase through the reassessment exercise.
You don’t need to do anything now. The reassessment exercise began 13 April 2026. Further information will be available on GOV.UK shortly. In most cases, DWP will get in touch with people whose overpayments of Carer’s Allowance may be affected.
What action do affected claimants need to take now?
You don’t need to do anything right now. In most cases, DWP already has the information it needs to reassess your case. If DWP does need anything else from you, they’ll get in touch directly.
For some older cases, DWP may no longer hold all the information because of data protection rules (GDPR). If that applies to you, DWP will make a simple online form available so you can provide what’s needed. DWP aims to launch this in November 2026.
Will DWP provide compensation for the stress they have caused, and will they pay interest on any overpayment refunds?
DWP say they understand that overpayments have caused worry and stress for some people, and are sorry that this has happened. That’s why DWP set up an Independent Review to look into the issue.
DWP doesn’t normally make special payments as part of correction exercises, and the Independent Review didn’t recommend offering compensation in these cases.
However, if you feel your case wasn’t handled properly, you can make a formal complaint to DWP and request compensation.
DWP also doesn’t charge interest on debts, and it won’t pay interest on any money that is refunded.
How do I go about appealing my overpayment?
DWP will share more information soon and update GOV.UK as this work progresses. You don’t need to contact the Department right now — in most cases, DWP will reach out directly to anyone whose Carer’s Allowance overpayment might be affected.
If you’re worried about a more recent overpayment, please check your notification letter. It explains the steps you can take if you want to ask for a mandatory reconsideration.
Will DWP still be recovering my existing overpayment?
The review doesn’t change DWP’s day‑to‑day work, and it doesn’t replace any legal processes already in place.
DWP won’t be pausing the recovery of overpayments. If money is still owed, DWP will work with carers to agree a repayment plan that feels manageable. Pausing repayments now could risk people building up even more debt, and DWP wants to help avoid that.
DWP has also found that the guidance on averaging fluctuating earnings between April 2015 and September 2025 wasn’t as clear as it should have been. Because of this, DWP is putting a reassessment exercise in place to help put things right.
DWP wants to reassure carers that this reassessment will only affect a very small number of cases.
You don’t need to do anything at the moment. The reassessment exercise began on 13 April 2026, and in most cases the Department will contact anyone whose Carer’s Allowance overpayments might be affected.
If you have an overpayment and want to talk about repayment options, DWP’s Debt Management Service is there to help.
When should I expect my refund?
The reassessment exercise began on 13 April 2026, and more information will be shared on GOV.UK as things progress.
DWP will let you know if your claim is reviewed and there’s a change that reduces what you owe or leads to a refund of money you’ve already paid. And don’t worry — this reassessment will not result in you owing DWP any more money.
You don’t need to do anything right now. In most cases, the Department will get in touch directly with anyone whose Carer’s Allowance overpayment might be affected.
What are DWP going to do about the penalty I wrongly received for my overpayment?
The reassessment exercise started on 13 April 2026, and more details will be shared on GOV.UK (the DWP webspage) soon.
DWP will let you know if your claim is reviewed. If, after reviewing your case again, an overpayment linked to averaged earnings is removed, the DWP will also remove and refund any penalty associated with that overpayment.
This doesn’t mean every penalty will be taken away. Some larger overpayments may still be correct, for example if they relate to other benefits.
If DWP finds that a penalty was issued in error, it will put that right.
You don’t need to do anything right now. In most cases, DWP will get in touch with anyone whose Carer’s Allowance overpayment might be affected.
I’ve repaid my debt, when will I hear about getting a refund?
The reassessment exercise began on 13 April 2026, and more information is on GOV.UK (LINK TBC).
DWP will let you know if your claim is reviewed and there’s a change that reduces what you owe or leads to a refund of anything you’ve already paid. Don’t worry — this reassessment won’t increase your overpayment.
Looking at your case again will not result in you owing DWP more money.
You don’t need to do anything right now. In most cases, DWP will get in touch directly with people whose Carer’s Allowance overpayments might be affected.
What will DWP do if someone is due a refund for a CA earnings-related overpayment, but still has other overpayment debt with DWP?
If DWP owes you a refund after reassessing your case, they’ll use that money to help clear any other debt you might still have with them.
What about claimants in Scotland? Will they be able to have their claims reassessed too?
Although the Independent Review covered England and Wales, at the request of the Scottish Government the reassessment exercise will include relevant devolved Carer’s Allowance cases in Scotland which were administered by the Department on behalf of the Scottish Ministers between September 2018 and September 2025.
Will I still get paid as normal for my current claims?
Your benefit entitlements delivered by the DWP or Social Security Scotland will continue to be paid, and you will be informed if the DWP reassess your claim.
You only need to contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland if your circumstances change, for example, as normal, you must contact them if you have a change of earnings, to avoid overpayments.
I get Universal Credit. Does this impact my Universal Credit claim?
The review won’t affect your regular Universal Credit payments. If you get Carer’s Allowance, your benefits will continue as normal, and DWP will let you know if they need to look at your claim again.
You only need to get in touch with DWP if something in your circumstances changes. For example, as usual, it’s important to tell DWP if your earnings go up or down so you don’t end up with an overpayment.
Reassessing your case won’t make you owe the DWP any more money.
I receive Carer’s Allowance/Carer Support Payment. Does this impact my current claim?
If you claim Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment in Scotland, your benefit entitlements will continue to be paid, and you will be informed if the DWP review your claim.
You only need to contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland if your circumstances change, for example, as normal, you must contact them if you have a change of earnings, to avoid overpayments.
From Sahara to support: Chris’s contribution as a Kingston Carers Network volunteer
Earlier this month, one of our volunteers completed the Marathon Des Sables event in Morocco – a multi-day event often described as the toughest footrace on earth – running 270km across the Sahara Desert!
Chris finished first in his age group (75–79) and received a prize for being the oldest competitor to complete the event (aged 78). The race, held from 5–11 April, marked the 40th anniversary of the Marathon des Sables, with the course extended from 250 km to a demanding 270 km in celebration.
Beyond this extraordinary personal achievement, Chris continues to make a lasting impact through his role as a volunteer mentor. For over a year, he has supported a 14-year-old young carer who looks after his mother, who lives with a rare condition.
Sharing his passion for sport and physical activity, they have taken part in a wide range of activities and experiences that have built confidence, independence and enjoyment in everyday life.
Their time together has included climbing – featuring an award-winning four-day course at White Spider – taking part in parkrun, mountain biking in Richmond Park and completing a BMX course at the Olympic Park in Stratford. They have also enjoyed trips to Thorpe Park for roller coasters, visited Thorpe Lakes for waterskiing lessons and taken part in ten-pin bowling. Pool, snooker and an escape room next on their list!
Alongside this, Chris has supported the young person in developing a gym-based exercise routine and helped him apply for a ZIP card, increasing his independence in using public transport.
The young carer’s mother described their relationship as “absolutely priceless,” adding: “What a gentleman Chris is. He took him to Thorpe Park – he’s wonderful. He has a great understanding of him and keeps him fit. He is much more than a mentor. A would see him every single day if he could.”
Chris has also volunteered as an English language teacher, a swim instructor and a run/bike/triathlon coach for teenage boys and girls at two orphanages in Poland.
Stories like Chris’s show the difference consistent, committed volunteering can make – not only through time given, but through encouragement, shared experience and the confidence it helps build in young people.
Congratulations, Chris, on your incredible achievement – and thank you for the difference you continue to make at KCN.
If you’re interested in making a similar impact to Chris, we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about our volunteering opportunities here.
Seeking: Safeguarding Trustee
We are seeking a trustee with safeguarding expertise to join our Board and provide strategic oversight and guidance in relation to safeguarding practice across our organisation.
Could you bring your safeguarding insight to help us ask the right questions and hold ourselves to the highest standards?
This role is critical in ensuring that we maintain the highest standards in protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The Safeguarding Trustee will gain the opportunity to influence organisational culture, decision-making and how safeguarding is embedded in practice, shape approaches in a complex setting and contribute to a respected community organisation making a meaningful local impact.
Please share with colleagues or contacts who may also be interested.
Completed application forms should be sent to admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk by 19 May