Personal Advisor – Care Leavers Team – AR

Knowsley Borough Council; Knowsley; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Knowsley Council is seeking a Personal Advisor to join the Care Leavers Team. You will support young people leaving care, helping them develop skills, confidence and independence to transition into adulthood.

You will manage caseloads, develop Pathway Plans, and advocate with housing, benefits and other services. The role combines office/hub-based work with home-based tasks, and requires collaboration with Social Workers, Foster Carers and other professionals to deliver effective support and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting vulnerable young people.
• Understanding of leaving care challenges.
• Experience developing Pathway Plans and individual support plans.
• Understanding safeguarding and promoting welfare of vulnerable young people.
• Experience supporting housing, benefits, budgeting and independent living.
• Strong communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated caseload of young people leaving care, providing ongoing guidance and practical support.
• Develop, maintain and regularly review individual Pathway Plans in line with leaving care legislation.
• Support young people in accessing suitable accommodation and maintaining independent tenancies.
• Help young people manage their finances, access benefits and develop budgeting skills.
• Encourage and support access to employment, education and training opportunities.
• Promote positive health and wellbeing, including access to healthcare and mental health support.
• Provide emotional support, helping young people build confidence, self-esteem and independent living skills.
• Act as an advocate for young people with housing providers, benefits agencies and healthcare services.
• Work collaboratively with Social Workers, Foster Carers, Residential Workers and other professionals.
• Maintain accurate case records, write reports and attend planning and review meetings.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and elevate risks appropriately to management.

Skills

Caseload management

Caretaker/Leaving Care experience

Pathway planning

Safeguarding knowledge

Housing & budgeting support

Advocacy & communication

Job description

Personal Advisor – Care Leavers Team

Knowsley Council

Grade: Pay Band G / SCP 19–22
Directorate: Children’s Social Care
Team: Care Leavers Team
Working arrangements: 3 days office-based / hub working and coordinated visits, with up to 2 days working from home for written work.

Job Purpose

Knowsley Council is looking for a committed and supportive Personal Advisor to join its Care Leavers Team. The successful candidate will support young people who are leaving or have previously left care, helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to make a successful transition into adulthood.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated caseload of young people leaving care, providing ongoing guidance and practical support.
• Develop, maintain and regularly review individual Pathway Plans in line with leaving care legislation.
• Support young people in accessing suitable accommodation and maintaining independent tenancies.
• Help young people manage their finances, access benefits and develop budgeting skills.
• Encourage and support access to employment, education and training opportunities.
• Promote positive health and wellbeing, including access to healthcare and support around mental health and other personal challenges.
• Provide emotional support, helping young people build confidence, self-esteem and independent living skills.
• Act as an advocate for young people when dealing with housing providers, benefits agencies, healthcare services and other organisations.
• Work collaboratively with Social Workers, Foster Carers, Residential Workers and other relevant professionals.
• Maintain accurate case records, write reports and attend planning and review meetings.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and elevate risks appropriately to management.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Experience supporting vulnerable young people, ideally within a Leaving Care Team or Children’s Social Care setting.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by young people transitioning from care into independent living.
• Experience developing or contributing to Pathway Plans and individual support plans.
• Understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable young people.
• Experience supporting individuals with housing, benefits, budgeting and independent living.
• Strong communication, advocacy and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to manage a caseload, maintain accurate records and work effectively with partner agencies.

Working Arrangements

The role involves a combination of office and hub-based working, coordinated visits to young people and home working for administrative and written duties. The successful candidate will be expected to work collaboratively with the wider Care Leavers Team to deliver effective support.