At a Glance
- Tasks: Support care leavers aged 18-25 in their transition to independent adulthood.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Newham, a vibrant and diverse community.
- Benefits: Inclusive work environment, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of an outstanding service that champions young people's rights and well-being.
- Qualifications: Experience with care leavers, strong relationship-building skills, and a commitment to reflective practice.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Newham is a vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich borough with a young population and limitless potential. We are proud to be one of the first local authorities to make “having left care” a protected characteristic, and we remain firmly committed to creating a fairer, more equitable environment for our care leavers to live, learn and thrive.
In November 2025, Ofsted Rated Newham’s Children’s Services Outstanding, Including The Leaving Care Service. Inspectors Praised The Borough’s Unwavering Commitment To Care Leavers, Stating: “Council members, senior leaders and the workforce share a strong commitment to Newham care leavers… Young people remain at the heart of practice long after they leave care… support does not lessen as they transition into adulthood. Personal advisers build strong and enduring relationships… providing consistent guidance, support and advocacy. They fiercely champion their young people’s rights, and there is a strong culture of keeping the door open long after age 21.”
This is a rare opportunity to join an outstanding service where restorative and systemic practice is at the centre of everything we do. You will be part of a highly supportive and reflective team that values meaningful relationships and professional development.
We are seeking an experienced Personal Advisor to join our dynamic Leaving Care Service. You will work within one of five teams, each made up of a Team Manager, a Senior Social Worker, and five Personal Advisors. Each Personal Advisor holds a caseload of approximately 25 care‑experienced young people, supporting them as they transition into independent adulthood.
In This Role, You Will:
- Build trusting, meaningful relationships with care leavers aged 18–25.
- Co‑produce Pathway Plans that are realistic, progressive and tailored to each young person.
- Create and maintain risk assessments and safety plans to safeguard young people.
- Provide guidance and advocacy across health, housing, finance, education, employment, and training.
- Support young people to develop safe family and kinship connections.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to ensure holistic support.
To be shortlisted, you must be an experienced Personal Advisor with:
- A strong background working with care leavers or children in care.
- Proven experience managing a caseload and co‑producing high‑quality Pathway Plans.
- Confidence in assessing and managing risk and developing effective safety plans.
- A strong understanding of the challenges faced by care‑experienced young people.
- Insight into the barriers care leavers face in accessing EET opportunities.
- Experience working in a diverse and vibrant urban community.
- High professional standards and a commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti‑racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity.
Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by .
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.
Closing date: 4th February 2026
Personal Advisor in London employer: London Borough of Newham
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Newham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Advisor in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, especially those who work with care leavers. Attend local events or workshops related to social work and youth services. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can give you insider tips!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching Newham’s Leaving Care Service. Understand their values and how they support care leavers. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built relationships with young people and supported them through challenges. Real-life stories resonate well and showcase your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our outstanding team at Newham. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Advisor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting care leavers shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and how your experiences align with our mission.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your skills and experiences meet the specific criteria outlined in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate when applicants communicate effectively, as it reflects the kind of guidance we expect you to provide to our young people.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Newham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Personal Advisor and the specific challenges faced by care leavers. Familiarise yourself with Newham's Leaving Care Service and its recent Ofsted rating. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to supporting young people.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to build trusting relationships, manage caseloads, and co-produce Pathway Plans. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about how you would approach risk assessments or support a young person facing barriers to education or employment. Practising these scenarios can help you feel more confident.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusivity
Newham values an inclusive environment, so be prepared to discuss how you promote diversity and anti-racism in your practice. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your dedication to creating equitable opportunities for all young people.