At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults in their journey to independence through personalised coaching and guidance.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a hub of culture and community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification (BTEC, NVQ) and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 40182 - 42060 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: SO2 £40,182 - £42,060
Contract Type: 1x full time permanent
Working hours per week: 36 hours
Application Deadline: 09/08/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC
Reference: 2122
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
About the role: Waltham Forest is a vibrant East London borough rich in arts and culture; being home to the William Morris Museum, Leyton Orient Football Club, Europe’s largest Wetlands and have just been the First London Borough of Culture. We have a diverse community and are one of the fastest growing boroughs in London. We are looking for someone with energy and enthusiasm to join our vibrant Leaving Care Service. We’re excited to announce an opportunity to join our Leaving Care Service as a full-time Leaving Care Coach! We have one permanent and one 12 months fixed term post available. If you’re passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young adults and believe in the power of open, transparent relationships, we want to hear from you. Our Relationship model is at the heart of everything we do—it drives meaningful change and delivers positive outcomes for young people. If you are somebody who can bring excellent interpersonal skills, an understanding of risk assessment and safeguarding and can bring a talent for building genuine connections to this rewarding role, then we are looking for you! You’ll connect with care experienced young adults while working alongside partner agencies like DWP, Housing, CAMHS 18+, and CGL, employment and education services, championing collaboration and shared success. Your ability to write and keep appropriate notes, records, plans and assessments in a timely manner will be an important aspect of your day to day work. Join us and help shape best practices, spark essential change, and strengthen our commitment to a brighter future for all the young people we support. We offer encouragement, dedicated time, and space for creativity—because together, we can achieve incredible things.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver personalized Pathway Plans focused on essential independence skills including financial management, practical skills and problem solving, and tenancy responsibilities.
- Maintain regular, meaningful contact with young people through home visits and outreach, ensuring ongoing guidance and encouragement.
- Work collaboratively with key partner agencies such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), housing teams, rent management, and the Virtual School to coordinate support and access vital resources.
- Monitor and support young people’s engagement with education, employment, or training, helping them to set and achieve career and learning goals.
- Ensure accurate and up-to-date completion of Pathway Plans, tracking progress and adapting support as needs evolve.
Qualifications and Requirements: To be considered for this position, you should meet the following requirements: Level 3 qualification like BTEC, NVQ, or equivalent. This includes English and Maths.
Terms and conditions: The below terms and conditions apply to this role: Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks; Satisfactory declaration of interest; This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults; Satisfactory DBS check; As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English. This means that they must have a command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy, sufficient for the effective performance of their role. This requirement does not refer to any particular English language qualifications, regional or international accents, dialects, speech impediments or the tone of conversations. It does not require staff to speak only in English.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:
- Promoting equality of opportunity
- Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
- Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
- Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all.
Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy. We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Bjoern Schlonski, Team Manager, on 07553 372 651 or bjoern.schlonski@walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk. The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method.
**INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Leaving Care Coach in Walthamstow employer: Borough of Waltham Forest
The Borough of Waltham Forest is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on equality and diversity, the council offers meaningful opportunities for growth and advancement in the field of human resources. Working here means being part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and strives to create a positive impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land **INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Leaving Care Coach in Walthamstow
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Borough of Waltham Forest.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Borough of Waltham Forest!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Borough of Waltham Forest, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Borough of Waltham Forest or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace **INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY** Leaving Care Coach in Walthamstow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Borough of Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Waltham Forest! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Waltham Forest
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
