At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people aged 16-25 in their transition to independence and adulthood.
- Company: Join Wokingham Borough Council, dedicated to empowering young people leaving care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help them achieve their dreams.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 39862 £ per year.
Are you passionate about helping young people build bright, independent futures? At Wokingham Borough Council, we believe every young person leaving care deserves the very best support, opportunities and encouragement to thrive. We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and relationship-focused Personal Advisor to join our Care Leaver Hub (Here4U) and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people aged 16 to 25.
About the Role
As a Personal Advisor within our Here4U Team, you will build meaningful and enduring relationships with young people as they transition from care into adulthood. You will provide practical, emotional and advocacy-based support, helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to achieve their goals and live independently. Working as part of a supportive and ambitious team, you will:
- Support children we care for aged 16+ and care leavers up to the age of 25.
- Co-produce pathway plans that promote stability, independence and positive outcomes.
- Deliver high-quality, relationship-based interventions and support.
- Work collaboratively with families, carers, colleagues and partner agencies to help young people succeed.
- Support young people to access education, employment, training, housing, health services and community opportunities.
- Participate in pathway planning meetings, reflective practice and multi-agency working.
This role will have a particular focus on supporting young people who have sought safety through asylum and have experience as Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC). You will play a key role in understanding and responding to their unique experiences, promoting inclusion, stability and positive futures. You will also have the opportunity to support young people in celebrating key milestones, building community connections and participating in activities that recognise and honour their individual backgrounds, cultures and faiths.
Candidate Requirements
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting young people and who can build trust, inspire confidence and empower them to reach their full potential. We would particularly like to hear from candidates who have:
- Experience working directly with young people aged 16–25.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience providing practical, emotional and advocacy-based support.
- The ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and agencies.
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, corporate parenting and achieving the best outcomes for young people.
A Level 3 qualification in a relevant field such as Youth Work, Health & Social Care, Education, Psychology or Sociology would be advantageous. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative and supportive service that places relationships and young people's voices at the heart of everything we do.
Benefits
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days per annum (rising to 33 days with 5 years of continuous service)
- Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
- An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
- A range of local & lifestyle discounts
- Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
- Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
- And much more!
This is a full-time, permanent position based within the Care Leaver Hub, operating on a hybrid basis between home, the Youth Centre and council offices. The role requires flexibility to meet the needs of young people, including occasional evening and weekend work. Due to the nature of the role and travel requirements, a full UK driving licence is essential.
Join Us
If you are passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges, realise their ambitions and successfully transition into adulthood, we'd love to hear from you. For an informal discussion with regards to this role, please reach out to either james.brophy@wokingham.gov.uk (hiring manager) or alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk (recruitment specialist).
Closing Date: Sunday 23rd August at 11pm
Interviews: Wednesday 3rd September, in person, in Wokingham.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
Personal Adviser (Leaving Care) in Wokingham employer: Community Care Live
Community Care Live is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a supportive work culture, dedicated consultants, and a commitment to empowering individuals in the community, employees can expect meaningful work and opportunities for development in the heart of Devon. The company also offers competitive pay and additional benefits, making it an attractive choice for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Adviser (Leaving Care) in Wokingham
✨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 Community Care Live.
✨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 Community Care Live!
✨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 Community Care Live, 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 Community Care Live 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 Personal Adviser (Leaving Care) in Wokingham
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 Community Care Live:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Community Care Live! 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 Community Care Live
✨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.
