At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a caseload of adolescents in foster care, focusing on their safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, a leading employer dedicated to community welfare and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by mentoring young people and fostering positive relationships.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in child/adolescent work and experience with challenging youth are essential.
- Other info: This is a full-time, fixed-term role with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 48000 £ per year.
Adolescent Worker – Grade 10 (£42,324 £44,331)
Job Purpose
To manage a caseload of adolescents who are with Foster Carers or Special Guardians whose behaviour is putting themselves or people in the home and the living arrangements at risk. Many of these young people will also be at risk of harm, including significant harm outside of the home. To assess individual needs and risk presented inside and outside of the home, focusing on strengths and reducing harm by engaging and working with adolescents and their families/carers. To provide targeted interventions including mentoring and support positive changes, with a longer term goal of achieving stability of their placement and positive relationships with their carers and extended networks..
About You
We are looking for an experienced and appropriately qualified professional that is able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience of working with challenging young people and their families/carers. You will have an understanding of how to address adolescent risk with the delivery of effective interventions including mentoring. You will have compassion and drive to effectively engage with Foster Carers and Special Guardians supporting them to build positive relationships with young people and bring stability to their living arrangements.
Essential Requirements
Relevant professional qualification in working with children and/or adolescents
Working knowledge of issues relating to adolescents and experience of mentoring young people.
Excellent communication skills that allow to produce a high quality reports
Ability to identify, assess and determine individual plans based on strengths for adolescents focussed on safety, protecting from harm and reducing risk
Experience in developing and delivering targeted interventions that reduce risk and vulnerability for adolescents
Ability to make sound professional judgments.
Compliance in practice with statutory requirements and guidance, and local procedures and standards.
Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:
Highly competitive compensation package
29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more
A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career
Management development programmes
Investment into your wellbeing
Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)
We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance
One year Fixed term/secondment Full time – 36 Hours
To view role profile please click here
Closing date 18 February 2025 @11:59pm
Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check
Adolescent Worker employer: London Borough of Croydon
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Croydon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Adolescent Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific challenges faced by adolescents in foster care or with special guardians. Understanding their unique needs will help you demonstrate your ability to engage effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully implemented targeted interventions for young people. Highlighting these experiences will showcase your practical knowledge and skills relevant to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Croydon Council's values and recent initiatives related to child welfare. Being able to discuss how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely invested in the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your communication skills, especially in producing high-quality reports. You may be asked to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information clearly, so being prepared can give you an edge.
We think you need these skills to ace Adolescent Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Adolescent Worker position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills in working with adolescents and their families.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your professional qualifications and any specific experiences you have had with mentoring young people or managing challenging behaviors. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your ability to engage effectively with adolescents.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, provide examples of how you have produced high-quality reports or communicated effectively with various stakeholders in your previous positions.
Demonstrate Understanding of Risk Management: Discuss your knowledge of adolescent risk factors and how you have successfully implemented targeted interventions in the past. This will show that you can assess individual needs and develop plans focused on safety and reducing harm.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Croydon
✨Show Your Experience with Challenging Young People
Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past work where you successfully engaged with challenging adolescents. Highlight your strategies for building trust and rapport, as well as any mentoring techniques you've used.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Risk Assessment
Familiarize yourself with the key concepts of risk assessment and management in relation to adolescents. Be ready to explain how you would assess individual needs and develop tailored intervention plans that focus on safety and reducing harm.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you would produce high-quality reports and communicate effectively with foster carers and families.
✨Emphasize Your Commitment to Professional Development
Express your enthusiasm for continuing professional development opportunities. Share any relevant training or certifications you have completed, and discuss how you plan to grow and specialize in your career within this field.