Personal Advisor – Leaving and After Care Service in Essex

About The Role

Details: Permanent, Full Time £33,049 to £37,698 per annum

Location: Basildon

Working Style: Anywhere worker. Remote working from home can be supported; however, there is an expectation to work from the office (Basildon) regularly.

The Team

The Leaving and Aftercare Teams concentrate on good outcomes for young people aged 16–25 who are in care or have left care. The teams are made up of social workers and personal advisors, mental health co‑ordinators and targeted youth advisors, and they all have the opportunity to undertake focused work with young people. They look to maximise the potential of young people who remain in care by working with providers, other agencies and partners. For those who have left care, our teams continue to offer advice, information and help to enable young people to live independently – and to access education, training and employment.

The Opportunity

The main focus of work will be, alongside Social Workers, to support young people who are “Looked After” (in care) and due to leave care, and those who have recently left. To consider all the important component parts that make up their individual lives in order to maximise their life opportunities and reach their full potential.

Accountabilities:

• To give practical, personal and emotional support to young people in order to meet assessed need; to maintain and promote their health, physical, emotional development and wellbeing. This may include domestic tasks and transporting where necessary.
• To specifically support and advise young people leaving care in key areas including health, benefits, education, training, employment, accommodation/housing and personal well‑being.
• To facilitate, directly and indirectly, the assessment of need, engaging with the ongoing monitoring and reassessment of need over time.
• To identify and support young people to overcome barriers to learning.
• To enable and empower young people to make decisions in their lives and to self‑advocate.
• To advocate on behalf of young people who do not have the skills to do this.
• To facilitate the construction of a Pathway Plan, from the assessment which establishes a viable response to established need over time.
• To develop Personal Action Plans with young people.
• To 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.
• To be prepared to work in a variety of ways, as well as direct work with individuals, for example in groups and running “drop‑ins”.
• To 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.).
• To support young people through times of major transitions from childhood to adulthood.
• To liaise with others involved to ensure that assessed needs are met within the agreed plans for the child or young person in a timely way.
• To build up effective inter‑agency networks and have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies as well as an awareness of opportunities within the local community.
• To maintain records and write reports as required in accordance with directorate policy and procedures.
• To carry out a range of practical tasks to assist young people with both planned and unplanned activities.
• To attend meetings as required by the line manager, e.g. reviews, planning meetings, etc.
• To maintain an awareness of relevant information and resources that may assist children, young people and their carers.
• To keep abreast of practice developments through reading and attending training courses.
• To be aware of Essex Child Protection Guidelines.
• To carry out any other appropriate duties that may be required commensurate with the grade of the post.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area, e.g. Housing, Employment and training Issues for young People.
• Experience in working creatively with young people in various ways, including young parents.
• Experience in collaborating with other professionals and agencies for the benefit of the client.
• A commitment to working relationships which promote and support the clients’ developing independence.
• Be able to work as part of a team and be flexible with an ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with the principles of the Children’s Act 1989, the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2018.

E‑EE Statement: Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who choose to apply under the Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Other Requirements: As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC), if a DBS check is required for this role, you will be required to register with the DBS update service. This annual subscription ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and authorisations can view your certificate. For further information, see DBS Update Service.