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- Tasks: Lead and support care experienced young people in their transition to adulthood.
- Company: Surrey County Council, dedicated to making a difference in young people's lives.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, 26+ days holiday, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the lives of young people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Personal Advisor and knowledge of social work practice.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent growth opportunities and a strong learning culture.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 48000 £ per year.
Salary: £41,585 per annum based on working 36 hours per week
Category: Care - Children and Young People
Contract type: Secondment
Working hours: 36
Location: Woking & Weybridge, Surrey
Description: We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. This is a secondment opportunity until 31 March 2027. Please discuss with your Line Manager before submitting your application.
We have two great opportunities to join our North East Unaccompanied Care Leavers Team, based in Weybridge and our North West Care Leavers Team based in Woking as a Senior Practitioner (Personal Advisor). We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week) and support working from home or within the community the rest of the time.
Our Offer to You:
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About the Team: These roles sit within the Care Leavers Service, part of the wider Corporate Parenting Directorate at Surrey, who tirelessly support our care experienced young people to reach their full potential towards adulthood. The Service has a permanent and longstanding workforce of dedicated staff and managers. We foster a strong learning culture– celebrating achievements, sharing knowledge, and investing in staff development to help you thrive.
As a Senior Practitioner you will work with the Team Manager to provide positive leadership and actively contribute to the development and success of the service. You will case hold high risk young people with complex needs whilst managing and providing supervision to a small number of Personal Advisors.
You will work directly with care experienced young people to transition successfully to adulthood and ensure they have a clear Pathway Plan to support them to do so. You will work with partners to ensure our care experienced young people exceed in their lives. Your day to day work will vary and include visits to young people, multi-agency meetings alongside ensuring records are kept up to date according to service practice standards.
You will supervise a small number of Personal Advisors and act as their line manager with the support of the Team and Service Manager. You will support the team during Team Manager absences, stepping up at times when needed.
You will be given lead responsibility on projects such as ensuring our links with District and Borough Councils are positive and ensuring care experienced young people are in education employment and training.
Your Application: In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Currently be a Personal Advisor
- Experience of working with young people who are care leavers
- A broad working knowledge of social work practice and legislation, especially leaving care.
- An ability to demonstrate excellent assessment and analysis skills.
- An ability to understand and evidence a high standard of performance
- An ability to drive and support teams through excellent management skills.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 5 questions:
- Why are you applying for the role of Senior Personal Advisor?
- What skills and knowledge do you have to be appointed to the role of Senior Personal Advisor?
- What do you consider being some of the challenges our Personal Advisors face when working with Care Experienced young people?
- What do you consider to be the barriers to care experienced young people reaching their potential and how would you support them to overcome them?
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
Contact Us: Please contact Elaine Andrews or Laura Valentine-Brown for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Senior Practitioner - Leaving Care Team in Woking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Leaving Care Team in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to colleagues and connections within Surrey County Council. They might have insights or even inside info on the role that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of social work practice and legislation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the challenges faced by Personal Advisors.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully managed teams or projects, especially in challenging situations. This will highlight your readiness for the Senior Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Leaving Care Team in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with info on what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key skills and responsibilities. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Relevant Experience: When you’re filling out your CV and answering those questions, highlight your experience as a Personal Advisor and any work with care leavers. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing your achievements!
Be Honest and Reflective: When tackling the questions about challenges and barriers, be genuine. Share your thoughts on what you think care experienced young people face and how you’d support them. We appreciate honesty and insight, so let your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure you submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of social work practice and legislation, especially around leaving care. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences that highlight your understanding and how you've applied this knowledge in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to talk about your assessment and analysis skills. Think of examples where you've successfully assessed a situation or need, and how you’ve used that information to support young people effectively. This will demonstrate your capability as a Senior Practitioner.
✨Understand the Challenges
Reflect on the challenges Personal Advisors face when working with care-experienced young people. Be prepared to discuss these challenges and share your thoughts on how you would support them in overcoming barriers to their potential.
✨Engage with the Team Culture
Familiarise yourself with the team’s values and the Corporate Parenting Strategy. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for contributing to a strong learning culture and how you can help foster positive relationships within the team and with external partners.
