Paula Melis

I currently manage a team supporting young carers aged 5 to 24, providing both strategic oversight and day-to-day operational leadership. This includes supervision of three part-time staff and team of twelve sessional workers employed on zero-hours contracts.

Our work centres around conducting comprehensive assessments of need in collaboration with families, identifying areas of unmet support, and working proactively to reduce negative impacts of caring responsibilities on young people. Support is provided through tailored interventions and effective partnership working with statutory and voluntary agencies such as local authorities, schools, housing services, and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

Key part of our service includes planning and delivery of respite activities aimed at increasing confidence and resilience, amplifying young carers’ voices, and ensuring they have opportunities for enjoyment and peer connection. These activities are delivered within defined budget parameters and with my ongoing support and oversight.

As the designated safeguarding lead for the team, I am responsible for ensuring safeguarding protocols are upheld, conducting regular supervisions and annual appraisals, and maintaining a high standard of practice across the service. I also lead on recruitment, including interviewing, induction, and mentoring of all new staff, as well as supervising student social workers on placement annually.

In addition to operational duties, I advocate for young carers’ rights across a wide range of settings, including facilitating a young carers' voice group, and representing their interests in local authority strategic meetings and NHS partnership forums.

I am also responsible for writing funding applications, producing monitoring and evaluation reports, and providing key performance indicators (KPIs) to secure and maintain local authority funding.

With over 20 years of experience, I have delivered a wide range of focus groups designed to engage young people; particularly those who struggle to trust adults. I create safe, supportive environments that encourage them to share their lived experiences with peers, build confidence, and develop strategies to safeguard their own wellbeing while working towards reaching their full potential.

I also represent young carers and their families at child protection conferences, ensuring that young people's voices are heard and that their best interests are central to decision-making processes.

I lead team meetings and chair at cross service meetings aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring that young people remain central to support delivered.

I have extensive experience hosting and compering events, including annual Carers Rights Day, Young Carers Action Day, and Carers Week community events held in public spaces. I am confident speaking in front of large audiences and skilled at 'reading the room'—adapting delivery to ensure it is inclusive and accessible to diverse communities, developmental stages, and age groups.

I thrive in leadership roles but am equally committed to being a strong team player. I value collaboration and enjoy working alongside others to achieve shared goals.

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