At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Care Experienced young people in building independent lives and achieving their goals.
- Company: Future First, a dedicated service for Wandsworth Children's Social Care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension plan.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Care Experienced young people and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 49365 - 49365 £ per year.
£38,976 - £49,365 per annum
Permanent, Full Time (36 hours)
Wandsworth, London
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Do you have experience of working with Care Experienced young people and a passion to help others to be their very best? Future First, the Leaving Care Service for Wandsworth Children's Social Care supports over 440 young people aged 16‑25 who are in the care of Wandsworth Borough Council. As part of a dedicated, vibrant, and enthusiastic team of professionals, your role is to help young people build stable and successful independent lives. Offering some of the most competitive Personal Advisor salaries in London, we also offer some of the lowest Leaving Care caseloads in the Capital to allow you to build fantastic relationships with the young people you support!
About the role
Working under the requirements of the Leaving Care Act 2000 and the Social Work Act 2017, you will provide a Personal Advisor service to a maximum of 22 young people that are allocated to you. You will work alongside the young person's Social Worker while they are 16 and 17 and then take full case responsibility when they are ready to transition to the Leaving Care Service. You will build meaningful and supportive relationships with young people to support them into a successful independent adult life, taking a systemic and trauma‑informed approach to delivering the best service to our Care Experienced young people. Promotion of user involvement and feedback is also important. The role involves regular liaison with external and internal partner agencies and requires extremely proficient organisational and interpersonal skills. You will build positive and supportive relationships with young people that enable them to achieve their goals and succeed in their transition to independent adulthood. You will ensure 'keeping in touch', Pathway Plans and suitable accommodation are maintained for all young people through regular visits and contact. You will provide duty cover under guidance of the manager and some group work with young people, so enthusiasm and a passion for supporting young people is key.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Previous work with Care Experienced young people.
- Experience of working with young adults in challenging circumstances.
- Experience of identifying safeguarding concerns and risk management.
- Great communication skills with an anti‑discriminatory focused approach.
- Experience in producing high quality assessments and reports.
- Aware of Trauma Informed practice and understanding of key issues for Care Experienced young people.
Please note, you will be required to travel around the UK and carry out some limited evening work in line with service participants' availability and duty arrangements.
Contact details
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Carlyn Ferreira by email carlyn.ferreira@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Application dates
- Closing Date: 21 June 2026
- Shortlisting Date: w/c 22 June 2026
- Interview Date: w/c 29 June 2026
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
Disability confident employer
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
Safeguarding
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Personal Advisor employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Council
Future First is an outstanding employer dedicated to supporting Care Experienced young people in Wandsworth, London. With competitive salaries and manageable caseloads, we foster a vibrant work culture that prioritises meaningful relationships and professional growth. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our generous benefits package, including 40 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, making us an excellent choice for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.
Contact Details:
Richmond and Wandsworth Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Advisor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Richmond and Wandsworth Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Richmond and Wandsworth Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Richmond and Wandsworth Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Richmond and Wandsworth Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Richmond and Wandsworth Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond and Wandsworth Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richmond and Wandsworth Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
