At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults transitioning from care to independence, providing guidance and developing pathway plans.
- Company: Join a dedicated Care Leavers Team focused on empowering young people in their journey to adulthood.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience in social care.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of child development and experience with care leavers is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: Candidates must reside in the UK and have a full driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Care Leavers Team as a Leaving Care Personal Advisor, to support young people transitioning from being Children Looked After to Care Leavers.
Leaving Care Personal Advisors provide fundamental support, advice and guidance in a range of areas to ensure young people access a smooth transition into adulthood and have the skills and knowledge to thrive throughout their future.
As a Leaving Care Personal Advisor, you will work with young adults who are Care Leavers alongside a range of statutory and community services to ensure the best outcomes for those we work with. This includes:
- Working in line with statutory responsibilities set out in the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the guidance supporting the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
- Holding responsibility for a case load of Care Leavers from the age of 18 to 25.
- Assessing young people’s needs and acting as lead professional, developing clear pathway plans and risk assessments, involving other agencies where appropriate.
- Engaging in effective multi-agency working, developing collaborative relationships with agencies, and coordinating support i.e. mental health, substance use, homelessness.
- Engaging with and providing support for young people, including those with significant additional needs to identify and address barriers to personal development, learning and work, particularly during periods of transition.
- Providing direct support to young people preparing to leave care, in order to ensure a smooth and positive transition to independent living.
- Working with young people and their significant others, including family members/carers and others, to enable them to contribute to maximising the young person’s potential.
- Working to agreed targets, monitoring the progress of young people on caseload through regular review, recording data on relevant management information systems to appropriate timescales and standards, producing reports and correspondence as required.
- Keeping up to date with relevant updates in legislation, guidance, policy and procedures in relation to Care Leavers and issues which impact on them i.e. housing, cost of living.
The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.
About you
Essential:
- Knowledge of child development, adolescence, social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Knowledge/experience of working with care leavers, young people and/or families.
- Knowledge of current legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding children and adults.
- Experience of multi-agency working with various statutory agencies.
- Ability to build trust, engage and safeguard young people and families; including those that may be parents.
- Ability to use structured assessment tools and plan interventions.
- Ability to communicate effectively (in both written and verbal forms) with young people, their families, and other professionals.
- Effective skills in organisation, time management and in managing a complex workload.
- Competent in using ICT packages relevant to the role to store and present information.
- Commitment to own continuous professional development and best practice.
- Holding a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of working with Care Leavers within a formal working environment.
- Understanding of transition to adulthood and of Child Looked After processes.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
Leaving Care Personal Advisor employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Leaving Care Personal Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise 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 interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and the young people you'll be supporting.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in the field of care leavers. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to gain insights and make connections that could lead to valuable recommendations or referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience in multi-agency working by preparing examples of how you've collaborated with different organisations in the past. This will highlight your ability to coordinate support effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by care leavers during their transition to adulthood. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you would implement to support them, showing that you're proactive and solution-oriented.
We think you need these skills to ace Leaving Care Personal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Leaving Care Personal Advisor. Familiarise yourself with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017 to demonstrate your knowledge in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in your CV, particularly any work with care leavers or young people. Emphasise your understanding of child development and your ability to engage with young adults, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting young people transitioning to adulthood. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the job description.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Show Your Understanding of Legislation
Make sure to familiarise yourself with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Demonstrating your knowledge of these laws during the interview will show that you understand the framework within which you'll be working.
✨Highlight Your Experience with Young People
Be prepared to discuss any previous experience you have working with care leavers or young people in similar situations. Share specific examples of how you've supported them, particularly during transitions, as this will illustrate your capability for the role.
✨Emphasise Multi-Agency Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with various agencies, it's crucial to highlight your experience in multi-agency settings. Talk about how you've successfully collaborated with other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to showcase your ability to engage with young people and their families. You might want to prepare a scenario where you had to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.