3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To provide a statutory Personal Adviser service to children in care and care leavers aged 16–25, ensuring that all legislative duties are met. The role supports young people to prepare for and achieve a successful transition to independent adulthood through assessment, planning, advice, guidance and ongoing support.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the named Personal Adviser for eligible, relevant, former relevant and qualifying care leavers, holding case responsibility for young people aged 18+.
  
• Assess the needs of young people and develop, implement and regularly review Pathway Plans in line with statutory requirements and agreed timescales.
  
• Provide consistent, practical and emotional support to young people to promote resilience, self-esteem, independence and positive life outcomes.
  
• Coordinate and lead multi-agency support around the young person, working in partnership with education, training, employment, housing, health, voluntary and third-sector agencies.
  
• Support young people to access and sustain education, employment or training, challenging and motivating them appropriately to avoid becoming NEET.
  
• Deliver and contribute to independent living and daily living skills programmes, including budgeting, tenancy readiness and life skills training.
  
• Maintain regular contact with young people through visits, meetings and drop-in sessions, including visits to homes, education settings, accommodation, prisons and courts where required.
  
• Identify, assess and manage risk, escalating safeguarding concerns in line with local authority policies and procedures.
  
• Maintain accurate, timely and child-centred case records using electronic recording systems in accordance with statutory guidance and data protection requirements.
  

Requirements

• A Level standard qualification or equivalent, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
  

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
  

• Sound knowledge of legislation relating to looked after children and care leavers, including the Children Act 1989 and Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
  

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults.
  

• Knowledge of education, training, employment, housing, welfare rights and support services for young people.
  

• Awareness of issues affecting care leavers, including mental health, substance misuse, exploitation, offending and social exclusion.
  

• Knowledge of legislation relating to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and care leavers (desirable).
  

• Ability to build and sustain positive, professional relationships with young people, including those who may be resistant or challenging.
  

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to listen, advise, challenge and motivate appropriately.
  

• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies.
  

• Good written and IT skills, including the ability to maintain accurate electronic case records and reports.
  

• Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and meet statutory timescales.
  

• Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and travel outside the local area when required.
  

• Experience of working with children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or have complex needs.
  

• Experience of casework or key-worker responsibility (desirable).
  

• Experience of working within multi-agency environments to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
  

Additional Information

• This post requires an Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance.
  

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  

• 37 Working Hours Per Week