Homelessness Personal Advisor, Chelmsford

Fixed Term, Full Time

Salary: 33,049 - 37,698 per annum

Location: Countywide

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th June at 11:59pm

The Role

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years! Our Personal Advisors work alongside Social Workers to support young people who are 'Looked After' (in care) and due to leave care, and those who have recently left. Their role is to consider all the important component parts that make up their individual lives to maximize their life opportunities and reach their full potential. The purpose of the Homelessness Personal Advisor is specific to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping for care leavers and support those care leavers that are homeless to access suitable accommodation. It is a non-case holding position and work is generated through referral from the allocated worker.

Accountabilities:

• Work alongside the allocated worker to support, facilitate, negotiate appropriate accommodation.
• Provide practical, personal and emotional support to children, young people in order to meet assessed need; to maintain and promote their health, physical, emotional development and well-being that are associated with the housing role.
• Specifically support and advise young people leaving care in key areas that will impact on their Accommodation/Housing.
• Facilitate, directly and indirectly the assessment of need, engaging with the ongoing monitoring and reassessment of need.
• Identify and support young people to overcome barriers to accommodation, enable and empower young people to make decisions in their lives and to self-advocate, advocate on behalf of young people who do not have the skills to do this.
• Contribute to the Pathway Plan held by the allocated worker, from the assessment which establishes a viable response to established need over time.
• Develop Personal Action Plans with Young People pertaining to their Accommodation/Housing.
• Encourage young people not only to fully engage with developing their individual plans, but to participate in the development of the service as a whole.
• Be prepared to work in a variety of ways, apart from direct work with individuals, for example in groups, running 'Drop ins' etc.
• Work alongside colleagues both within Social Services and from other agencies, and to engage with significant people in the young person's life (members of the family, community etc).
• Develop improved joint working between Leaving Care Services, Housing and other key Local Authorities and third sector services.
• Support young people through times of major transitions from childhood to adulthood.
• Liaise with others involved to ensure that assessed needs are met within the agreed plans for the child or young person and in a timely way.
• Build up effective interagency networks to have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies and an awareness of opportunities within the Local Community.
• Maintain records and write reports as required in accordance with Directorate Policy and Procedures.
• Carry out a range of practical tasks to assist young people with both planned and unplanned activities.
• Attend meetings as required by the Line Manager, e.g. reviews, planning meetings etc.
• Maintain an awareness of relevant information and resources that may assist children, young people and their carers.
• Keep abreast of practice developments through reading and attending training courses.
• Be aware of and act within the Essex Child Protection Guidelines.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Experience of working in a supportive relationship, with young people
• Experience in working creatively in various ways with young people including young parents
• Previous work experience in either a paid or voluntary capacity working with children, young people and families
• Experience in collaborating with other professionals and agencies for the benefit of the service user

Desirable:

• Experience of housing, employment and training issues for young people
• Knowledge of adolescents and adolescent issues
• A commitment to one's own personal and professional development
• Be able to work as part of a team and be flexible

Please note Personal Advisors will not:

• Have an allocated caseload
• Be named as key worker in a Child Protection case
• Have sole responsibility for assessment and review - they should contribute to assessment, undertake specific assessment tasks and monitor identified issues in conjunction with social work staff.
• Work in an unsupported or unprotected way

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.