Personal Advisor

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Portsmouth is seeking a Personal Advisor to support care-experienced young people aged 16-25 in their journey to independence. This role involves helping young people develop essential life skills, access educational and employment opportunities, and providing tailored support. Ideal candidates are passionate about youth advocacy, possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, and hold a full UK driving license. The position also offers flexible working conditions and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Two-week induction and ongoing training

Excellent administrative support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Passionate about working with young people and achieving the best outcomes.
• Can build strong, positive relationships with young people and families.
• Approachable, flexible, and resilient under pressure.
• Able to assess needs and manage risks.
• Reflective and committed to continuous learning.
• Holds a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Help young people develop independent living skills.
• Support access to education and employment opportunities.
• Assist with benefit claims and tenancy arrangements.
• Provide practical and emotional support tailored to individual needs.
• Work alongside social workers until young people turn 18.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Flexibility

Resilience

Literacy

Education

Degree or post-18 training

Job description

The Supporting Your Future team works with Care Experienced Young People aged 16 - 25 to support them through to independence or reunification to their families. This is an exciting and privileged opportunity to support children and young people in their journey to independence and help them to build a positive future for themselves.

The Role

Maternity Cover - 1 Year Fixed Term Contract or until substantive post holder returns

As a Personal Advisor, you'll work with care-experienced young people aged 16-25, supporting them through their journey to independence.

The role will involve:

• Helping young people develop independent living skills and emotional resilience.
• Supporting access to education, employment, and training opportunities.
• Assisting with benefit claims and tenancy arrangements.
• Providing practical and emotional support tailored to individual needs.
• Working alongside social workers until young people turn 18, then guiding them through adulthood.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll make a real difference in shaping positive futures.

What We Offer our Personal Advisors:

• Two-week induction and ongoing training
• Excellent administrative support
• Manageable caseload
• Regular supervision and career development opportunities
• A supportive, nurturing environment

The ideal candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about working with young people and achieving the best outcomes.
• Builds strong, positive relationships with young people, families, and professionals.
• Is approachable, flexible, and resilient under pressure.
• Can assess needs, manage risks, and balance safeguarding responsibilities.
• Has excellent communication, literacy, and IT skills.
• Is reflective and committed to continuous learning.
• Holds a degree or evidence of post-18 training (preferred).
• Has a full UK driving licence (essential).

Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section Who is the person as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Hybrid working arrangements

Flexible working to include days at office for duty, team meetings etc. in line with current PCC policy. May need to occasionally work after 5pm, travel outside of Portsmouth and stay overnight.

Informal Enquiries

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Sarah Read - [e-mail]

Interview details

Interviews will take place on 30th January 2026

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience.

We are a Disability Confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [e-mail] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800