At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people aged 18-25 in their transition to adulthood and create Pathway Plans.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, pension scheme, employee discounts, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and knowledge of relevant legislation is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Personal Advisor
About the role
The Personal Advisor role sits within the Leaving Care Team and provides support to young people, aged 18 – 25 years (who have ceased to be looked after by the local authority and who are eligible for a service as per the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and/or The Children and Social Work Act 2017.
The vision is to support our young people to achieve their full potential as they make their transition to adulthood.
As a Personal Advisor (PA) you will be allocated to young people, and participate in the assessment and preparation of the Pathway Plans for those who are eligible. The Pathway Plan sets out the young person’s aspirations regarding education, accommodation, health, social relationships taking into account any specific needs. For Separated Young People; this will also include how their immigration status may impact on other areas of their life.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate
What will you be doing?
Working with the Practice Manager, Team Manager and the team you will make a personal contribution to create the conditions for success and actively contribute to the development of the service. Alongside this, you may be responsible for representing the Leaving Care Service at working groups such as participation events and at Care Council meetings. We also run a regular programme of events and groups for our young people to support them to develop new skills.
Alongside your allocated Young People, you will be required to carry out duty on a rota basis.
You will benefit from the support of an experienced Practice Manager who will undertake regular supervision and case discussion.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
About you
Please apply for this exciting opportunity to join the service if
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You have existing knowledge of the legislation concerning looked after children and the responsibilities of Local Authorities towards Care leavers.
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You are aware of the legislation and practice in relation to Separated Young People, young adults and care leavers
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You have substantial experience of working with children and young people up to the age of 21 and 25 if they are in higher education in either a voluntary or professional setting.
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You enjoy talking with, listening to, and developing effective working relationships with young people, including those who we struggle to engage
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You are able to work flexible hours as required to meet young people’s needs, including some evening work and visits out of the county
We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: or
When applying please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education
Our benefits
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.
We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
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28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
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Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
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Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
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Employee Assistance Programme – We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
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Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
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Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
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A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
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Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
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Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.
Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.
We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.
At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
Attached documents
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Job Description and person specification
Personal Advisor employer: Northamptonshire Childrens Trust
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Childrens Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Understanding these legislations will not only help you in your role but also demonstrate your commitment to supporting young people during their transition to adulthood.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local organizations or groups that work with care leavers and young adults. Networking with professionals in this field can provide you with valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience in building relationships with young people, especially those who are hard to engage. Think of specific examples where you've successfully connected with young individuals and how you supported them.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your flexibility in working hours during the interview. Highlight any previous experiences where you adapted your schedule to meet the needs of young people, as this is crucial for the Personal Advisor role.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Personal Advisor. Familiarize yourself with the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and The Children and Social Work Act 2017, as well as the specific needs of young people transitioning to adulthood.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: When writing your supporting statement, clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. Use specific examples from your experience working with young people to illustrate your skills and knowledge.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Include substantial experience you have working with children and young people, especially those aged 18-25. Mention any relevant voluntary or professional settings where you have developed effective relationships with young people.
Check Your Employment History: Provide a full employment history, including any gaps since leaving full-time education. Be honest and clear about your experiences, as this will help the hiring team understand your background better.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Childrens Trust
✨Know the Legislation
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the legislation concerning looked after children and the responsibilities of local authorities towards care leavers. This knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your substantial experience working with young people, especially those aged 18-25. Highlight specific examples from your professional or voluntary work that showcase your ability to engage and support them effectively.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
During the interview, emphasize your ability to build effective working relationships with young people, particularly those who may be difficult to engage. Share anecdotes that illustrate your communication skills and empathy.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role requires flexible working hours, including evenings and visits out of the county, be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to meet the needs of the young people you'll be supporting.