Empowering Care Leavers: Personal Adviser

Salary: Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061 per annum

Location: Shepton Mallet

Role summary

As a Leaving Care Worker, you will support young people aged 16+ who are in care or care‑experienced, helping them prepare for adulthood and independent living. You’ll build positive, trusting relationships and provide consistent, trauma‑informed support tailored to each young person’s needs, strengths and aspirations. As young people move into adulthood, you’ll act as their Personal Adviser, supporting them to set and achieve realistic goals around education, employment, housing, health and wellbeing. Working alongside other professionals, you’ll help create and review clear Pathway Plans, advocate on their behalf and ensure they can access the full care leaver offer. Your work will empower young people to build confidence, resilience and a strong foundation for their future.

What you’ll do - key responsibilities

• Support care-experienced young people aged 16–25 to prepare for independent living and achieve their personal goals.
• Work alongside social workers to help 16–17-year-olds plan for adulthood, including life skills, education, employment and housing options.
• Act as Personal Adviser from age 18, providing ongoing guidance, advocacy and practical support.
• Co-develop and regularly review Pathway Plans with young people and partner agencies, setting clear, realistic goals and identifying the right support.
• Build strong multi-agency relationships (housing, education, health and social care) to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.
• Provide trauma‑informed, relationship‑based support that promotes resilience, independence and wellbeing.
• Support young people to access suitable accommodation, manage their finances and stay safe and healthy.
• Encourage engagement in education, training, employment and community activities.
• Maintain clear, accurate records and ensure young people understand and can access the care leaver offer.
• Manage risk and safeguarding concerns, taking timely action to keep young people safe.
• Work flexibly across Somerset, regularly visiting young people in their homes or supported accommodation.

What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills

• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, including the impact of trauma, neglect and disrupted attachment.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed and relationship‑based practice.
• Understanding of attachment theory and how attachment affects behaviour and relationships.
• Insight into the needs, challenges and lived experience of care‑experienced young people.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation, policies and procedures for children and adults.
• Understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing issues affecting care‑experienced young people.
• Awareness of barriers to education for care‑experienced young people and how to support engagement and achievement.
• Knowledge of relevant children’s and leaving care legislation and policy.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, with a commitment to anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Experience of working directly with young people aged 16–25.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with young people with complex emotional, behavioural or mental health needs.
• Experience of multi‑agency working and partnership collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, including managing caseloads and meeting deadlines.
• Experience of supporting young people through transition to independence.
• A good standard of education (A‑level or equivalent, or at least 5 GCSEs at Grade C/Level 4 or above).
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Strong communication, engagement and influencing skills.
• Ability to assess needs and develop, implement and review plans and interventions.
• Strong recording and report‑writing skills, including producing clear, concise and SMART plans.
• Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of young people.
• Experience of managing and de‑escalating challenging behaviour using trauma‑informed or person‑centred approaches.
• Experience or understanding of housing instability, homelessness, and access to education, training, employment and health services for care‑experienced young people.
• Experience of coordinating support plans and contributing to team or professional meetings.
• Vocational qualification or demonstrable competence equivalent to a Level 3 qualification in the Children and Young People’s Workforce.

Additional Information

• Fixed term for one year with the possibility of an extension.
• 37 hours a week.
• We are happy to consider flexible working patterns – we work hard to sustain a good work-life balance and are passionate about maintaining a positive and supportive working culture.
• You would join a small, friendly and experienced team providing support to care experienced young people in supported accommodation.
• 28 days annual leave.