Personal Advisor for Care Experienced Young People

The Methodist Church in Britain; Normanton on Trent; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

LGPS pension

Life assurance

On-site day nursery

Season ticket loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Modern working environment

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a Leaving Care Personal Advisor on a 12-month fixed-term contract to support care-experienced young people aged 18 to 25. You will manage caseloads, develop and review Pathway Plans, and deliver interventions to promote independence and life skills.

You will also provide secondary support for 16 to 18-year-olds, collaborate with education, housing and health services, and advocate for young people in partnership with families and agencies.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of child development and leaving care legislation and practice.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and advocacy skills.
• Ability to engage young people who are reluctant to access support services.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload.
• Resilience, creativity and a solution-focused approach to challenges.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of care experienced young people aged 18 to 25.
• Complete and review Pathway Plans that identify strengths, needs, goals and support requirements.
• Deliver direct interventions that promote independence, confidence and life skills.
• Support young people aged 16 to 18 as a secondary worker, contributing to Pathway Planning and preparation for independence.
• Support young people with education, training, employment, accommodation and community engagement.
• Undertake risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns.
• Coordinate support and work alongside partner agencies to help young people overcome barriers.
• Build working relationships with families, carers, partner agencies and community organisations.
• Advocate for young people so their wishes and views shape decisions and planning.
• Keep accurate and timely case records on electronic case management systems.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Leaving care legislation

Communication and advocacy

Relationship-building

Caseload management

Resilience and creativity

Education

NVQ Level 3 / A Levels or equivalent

Job description

The Leaving Care Service at Reading Borough Council has a fixed-term Personal Advisor post, a 12-month contract working in a supportive team. Day to day, the post means a caseload of 18 to 25-year-olds, secondary support for 16 to 18-year-olds, and Pathway Plans with direct work on independence. Work reaches into education, housing and health, with advocacy for young people at its centre and partner agencies and families involved. Applicants need safeguarding experience and knowledge of leaving care law and practice.

What the job involves

• Manage a caseload of care experienced young people aged 18 to 25
• Complete and review Pathway Plans that identify strengths, needs, goals and support requirements
• Deliver direct interventions that promote independence, confidence and life skills
• Support young people aged 16 to 18 as a secondary worker, contributing to Pathway Planning and preparation for independence
• Support young people with education, training, employment, accommodation and community engagement
• Undertake risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns
• Coordinate support and work alongside partner agencies to help young people overcome barriers
• Build working relationships with families, carers, partner agencies and community organisations
• Advocate for young people so their wishes and views shape decisions and planning
• Keep accurate and timely case records on electronic case management systems

What’s required

Qualifications

• A good general education

Experience

• Significant experience working with children and young people, paid or voluntary
• Experience working with families, carers and young people with complex needs
• Experience working within a safeguarding environment

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of child development and leaving care legislation and practice
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and advocacy skills
• Ability to engage young people who are reluctant to access support services
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload
• Resilience, creativity and a solution-focused approach to challenges

Other

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Nice to have

• NVQ Level 3, A Levels or equivalent qualification

What’s offered

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, with the option to buy extra leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary for LGPS members
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season ticket loan to help with rail or bus travel to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme for a new, greener car over three years, with insurance, servicing and road tax included
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in central Reading