Grade 4 Support Worker

Nations Recruitment; Merthyr Tydfil; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local recruitment agency is seeking a Personal Advisor to provide support for young people transitioning from care. The role involves advocating for service users, conducting assessments, and helping develop essential life skills. Candidates should have experience in social care, particularly with adolescents, and be knowledgeable about relevant legislation. Flexibility to work outside normal hours is essential, as well as the ability to travel independently throughout the Merthyr Tydfil area.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relevant social care legislation and policies.
• Understanding of adolescent development and child protection issues.
• Experience in assessing needs of young individuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for young people transitioning from care.
• Advocate for service users and ensure tailored pathway plans.
• Conduct assessments and offer direct support to young individuals.

Skills

Knowledge of Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000

Knowledge of adolescent development

Experience of direct work with young people

Experience working with multi-agency partners

Knowledge of equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice

Job description

Job Category: Social Care Non-Qualified

Job location: Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, CF47 8AN, United Kingdom, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Hours per week: 37

Start date: Immediate start

Salary: £15.06 per hour

Option to work from home 1 day a week when settled into the role.

The successful applicant will work Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 5pm, with flexibility for occasional later work; time back will be provided.

Specific Responsibility

• Provide a quality needs-led service for young people 16+ preparing to leave care and support them post-care in a sensitive manner that reflects the authority's equalities policy.
• Act as an advocate for service users and take on a quality assurance role, ensuring pathway plans are tailored to their needs with clear objectives.
• Operate in a mobile flexible service, carrying out planned duties as part of their working life.
• Provide a personal advisor role for all categories of young people under section 104 as required by the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014 and Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, including production and review of the pathway plan post-18.
• Have case responsibility for young people post-18 and review their pathway plans every six months, updating them to reflect changing circumstances.
• Assess, negotiate, determine and agree outcomes in relation to the young person's health, education and financial needs.
• Offer direct support to young people who live independently, coordinating support with education, training, and income maximisation.
• Distribute emergency and miscellaneous payments, birthday/festivity allowances, and help manage setting up home allowances as per council policy.
• Provide support through individual and group work sessions to improve life skills, relieve social isolation and enhance peer support.
• Maintain positive links with accommodation providers, promoting choice and quality accommodation for young people.
• Help young people develop positive relationships with peers and adults, contributing to the community in which they live.
• Enable them to acquire practical living skills and help them secure education, training or employment.

Essential

• Knowledge of Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014 and related policies.
• Knowledge of adolescent development and child protection issues.
• Understanding of the effects of deprivation on young people.
• Knowledge of equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice.
• Experience of direct work with young people.
• Experience working with multi-agency partners.
• Experience assessing the needs of children and/or young people in a social care setting or living independently.
• Experience implementing the core planning process.
• Experience working with education, employment or training providers.
• Worked within a social care setting with young people for a minimum of two years.
• Experience establishing and maintaining good professional practice.
• Requirement to travel independently throughout Merthyr Tydfil County Borough.
• Enhanced DBS Check.

The Personal Advisor will be required to work in a young person supportive manner, working flexibly outside normal office hours, including before 9.00am, after 5.00pm and occasionally during evenings and weekends.