Leaving Care Personal Adviser - Care Leavers Service

Leaving Care Personal Adviser - Care Leavers Service

Are you passionate about helping young people in need make a successful transition to adulthood? If yes, Southwark Council has the perfect role for you! We are recruiting a permanent Personal Adviser to join our dedicated Care Leavers Service, playing a key role in supporting young adults as they transition into adulthood.

Personal Advisers are vital members of our Children's Services team, fulfilling a statutory function by working with care leavers aged 18 to 25. You will befriend, advise, and assist care leavers to meet their goals through direct practical support, working within multidisciplinary networks across the statutory and non-profit sectors. We are committed to continually improving outcomes for our children, young people, and young adults — including increasing the number of young people in education, employment, and training, and ensuring good accommodation outcomes.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection was graded 'good' in all areas. The children in our care said we are a \"special council and are like a family to them\". Ofsted noted that staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities and are very well supported by proactive, visible managers — and that caseloads are manageable, enabling effective direct work with care leavers. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting and empowering young adults currently in care, as well as those who have left care and are eligible for leaving care services
• Working in co-production with young people to set clear and SMART goals in their Pathway Plans and helping them achieve their ambitions
• Providing direct practical support through planned interventions to help care leavers make a successful transition to adulthood
• Collaborating within multidisciplinary networks across statutory and non-profit sectors
• Recording in a timely way using a first-person approach

You will be expected in the office at least three times a week and will be part of a duty rota. Working hours are 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

About you

Southwark Council is looking for a passionate and dedicated individual who is determined to ensure that all looked-after children and care leavers receive the best opportunities, support, and pathways to successful independence. The right candidate will bring strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to working in co-production with young people, and a genuine drive to make a positive difference to care leavers' lives.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for members of the Armed Forces and veterans, those currently in or previously in care, and those who consider themselves disabled or have a long-term health condition, provided the minimum requirements of the role are met. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. The ideal candidate will:

• Be passionate about making a positive impact on care leavers' lives
• Be organised and committed to working in co-production with young people
• Be able to work with young people to set clear and SMART goals within Pathway Plans
• Have excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and influencing abilities
• Be able to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary networks across statutory and non-profit sectors
• Be able to record case notes in a timely way using a first-person approach
• Be committed to promoting positive outcomes and supporting care leavers to achieve their ambitions

About Southwark

We are thelargestlocal authoritysocial landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

At Southwark Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. And our endlessly supportive, collective, culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough.

Southwark is a great place to grow and develop as a social worker. We continue to provide fantastic career progression opportunities. Supported by great partnerships and resources we are always growing and developing what we do through innovation, investment in our workforce and, most importantly, listening to children and families, and those that work with them.

Our offer to staff includes:

competitive remuneration packages

the opportunity to work in a vibrant borough in the heart of London with excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East

a multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills

modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements

professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.

opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student

clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.

culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care

stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities

small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseload

travel season ticket loans, cycle scheme, essential user care parking permits and local government pension

family friendly, flexible and agile working, from home or on-site

wellbeing programme, HSF Health plan and eye care scheme, EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support, and access to subsidised HSF health plan

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