At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people aged 16-25 with complex safeguarding needs as they transition into adulthood.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Young People’s Service making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with ongoing professional development and support.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on vulnerable young lives and shape their futures.
- Qualifications: Experience with adolescents at risk and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 41771 - 46141 £ per year.
This is not a traditional Personal Adviser role. We are seeking a highly skilled and committed Senior Personal Adviser to work with young people aged 16–25 who present with complex safeguarding, exploitation, and support needs as they transition into adulthood. You will play a key role in delivering Southampton’s Transitional Safeguarding offer, recognising that vulnerability does not end at 18 and that young people require consistent, relationship-based support across this critical life stage.
Working within the Young People’s Service, you will act as a lead practitioner for a cohort of young people, coordinating multi-agency responses to reduce harm, build resilience, and support positive outcomes into adulthood.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting Young People with Complex Needs
- Hold a caseload of young people experiencing complex risks including exploitation, homelessness, offending, mental health needs and disengagement from services.
- Build trusted, consistent relationships to support engagement and long-term change.
- Provide flexible, trauma-informed and strengths-based support tailored to individual need.
- Leading Transitional Safeguarding Practice
- Take a lead role in Transitional Safeguarding planning and interventions, ensuring continuity of support beyond age thresholds.
- Contribute to and chair multi-agency meetings where appropriate, coordinating effective safeguarding responses.
- Apply principles of empowerment, prevention, proportionality and partnership in all practice.
- Multi-Agency Coordination and Advocacy
- Work closely with Police, Housing, Health, Probation, Adult Social Care and voluntary sector partners.
- Advocate strongly to ensure young people can access appropriate services, accommodation, education, training and employment.
- Act as a key link between children’s and adult services, ensuring seamless transitions.
- Care Planning and Outcomes
- Lead on assessment, pathway planning and review processes.
- Ensure young people’s voices, wishes and feelings are central to all decision-making.
- Track progress and evidence impact through clear recording and outcome-focused practice.
- Practice Leadership
- Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Personal Advisers and practitioners within the team.
- Contribute to service development, improving the local Transitional Safeguarding offer.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has significant experience working with adolescents and young adults at risk of harm, including exploitation and contextual safeguarding concerns.
- Demonstrates strong understanding of Transitional Safeguarding and multi-agency working.
- Is confident working with complexity, risk, and uncertainty.
- Has excellent relationship-based practice skills and can engage young people who may be reluctant to work with services.
- Can analyse risk, coordinate plans, and drive forward impactful interventions.
- Is committed to strengths-based, child-centred and trauma-informed practice.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a forward-thinking Young People’s Service shaping a strong Transitional Safeguarding offer.
- Work in a high-impact role supporting some of the most vulnerable young people in the city.
- Collaborate within a multi-agency, relationship-based service model.
- Access ongoing professional development, training and reflective practice opportunities.
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is £41,771 - £46,141. The starting salary is £41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands.
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).
Senior Personal Adviser - Transitional Safeguarding in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join Southampton City Council as a Senior Personal Adviser in Transitional Safeguarding, where you will make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people aged 16-25. Our supportive work culture prioritises professional development and offers flexible working options, alongside a comprehensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for community engagement through our employee volunteering scheme. Be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to empowering young individuals as they transition into adulthood.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Personal Adviser - Transitional Safeguarding in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Senior Personal Adviser - Transitional Safeguarding in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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.
