Rapid Responder
Make a difference when it matters most
About Caring Together Charity
For over 40 years we have been supporting families who are living with an illness or disability.
At Caring Together Charity, our vision is a world where no unpaid carer is left in crisis, isolated, or struggling alone.
We 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, we support over 17,000 carers and their families, yet more than 150,000 unpaid carers live across our region – and the number continues to rise.
By joining our 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 our 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 differenceat 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 Charity’s values, policies, and safeguarding responsibilities.
What we offer
- Flexible working options and Real Living Wage.
- Paid travel time and mileage at 35p per mile.
- 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holiday entitlement, pro rata).
- The option to buy or sell up to five days’ annual leave (subject to certain criteria being met).
- A supportive working environment alongside other Care Professionals, Rapid Responders, Care Team Managers, and the wider organisation.
- The opportunity to make a positive impact to the lives of unpaid carers and those with an illness or disability across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.
- Ongoing paid training and development opportunities.
- Funded apprenticeships and qualifications.
- Company pension scheme.
- Paid carer’s leave.
- Wellbeing program.
- Access to a 24/7 GP, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and confidential counselling service.
- Death in service benefit of three times your annual salary.
- Staff referral scheme – get up to £500!
Safeguarding and inclusion
Caring Together Charity 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.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and celebrate diversity in our teams and the communities we support. We expect staff to respect the personal choices and lifestyles of colleagues, carers, and people with care needs.
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, we would love to hear from you.
Download our Rapid Responder job pack [PDF, 110kB]
To discuss the role please contact our People team.
To apply, please email your CV to jobs@caringtogether.org
We are not currently registered for the skilled sponsorship programme; therefore, we are unfortunately unable to accept applications requiring sponsorship. Please only apply if you have the relevant UK right to work documentation.