At a Glance
- Tasks: Support care leavers in their journey to independence and achieve outstanding outcomes.
- Company: Join the Outstanding-rated Thurrock Council's supportive Children's Services Department.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with excellent career growth and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in direct work with young people and a valid UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 33531 - 38052 € per year.
Salary: £33,531 - £38,052 per annum
Grade: D
Permanent Contract
37 Hours per Week
About the Department and Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and energetic, passionate Personal Advisor in our Aftercare Team who can lead and provide excellent support to Care Leavers. Thurrock provides an opportunity to develop good social work practice and work with an ambitious, supportive team. Rated ‘Outstanding’ across all areas in our most recent Ofsted Inspection, Thurrock Council are now looking forward to not only maintaining an Outstanding rating, but striving to maintain Outstanding. We are looking for talented Personal Advisors who can help provide outstanding care, good outcomes and support to care leavers.
Thurrock has a friendly and supportive Children's Services Department and we work within the Signs of Safety model whilst also adopting a Think Family approach. The Aftercare service works with children who are subject to long terms care plans where the Local Authority holds parental responsibility. The service focuses on supporting care leavers to achieve the very best outcomes; to reach their full potential while moving forward into independence. We also use a contextual safeguarding approach and are passionate about developing social work staff with a good training and development offer. Personal Advisors are responsible for the day-to-day oversight of cases, ensuring care leavers are supported including formulating and reviewing Pathway Plans.
Required experience/skills:
- Ability to provide skilful and sensitive direct work to young people
- Understanding of the role of corporate parent
- An understanding of the challenges facing young people as they transition into independent adults
- Ability to analyse performance data and utilise this to achieve consistently excellent practice
- Candidate must be able to drive and hold a valid UK driving licence.
DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Enhanced Level with Children's Barred List is required for this post.
Benefits of Working with Us
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Closing Dates:
- Redeployment Only: 28th May 2026
- Internal & External Applications: 7th June 2026
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are confirmed.
If you have any queries regarding the post or interview dates please contact Mary Carter Team Manager email: mary.carter@thurrock.gov.uk
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management from when leaving full-time education is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application. Please provide a full history with explanations of any gaps and ensure you also upload a copy of your full CV. If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
Aftercare Personal Advisor in Grays employer: Thurrock Council
Thurrock Council is an outstanding employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, generous benefits including flexible working options, and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for care leavers, this role as an Aftercare Personal Advisor offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people transitioning to independence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aftercare Personal Advisor in Grays
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission, especially in supporting care leavers. Show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence. Focus on articulating your experiences and how they relate to the challenges faced by young people transitioning into independence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our outstanding team at Thurrock Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Aftercare Personal Advisor in Grays
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting care leavers shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and the role of a Personal Advisor.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the team.
Follow the Application Guidelines:Don’t forget to complete the Gaps in Employment grid and upload all necessary documents. We want to make sure your application is complete, so check everything before hitting submit on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thurrock Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Personal Advisor and the challenges care leavers face. Brush up on the Signs of Safety model and Think Family approach, as these are key to the job. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently will show your enthusiasm and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide sensitive support to young people. Think about specific situations where you've helped someone transition into independence or used performance data to improve outcomes. Real-life examples will make your answers stand out.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the Aftercare Team and their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about their training and development opportunities or how they measure success in supporting care leavers.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your motivations for wanting to work with care leavers and how you can contribute to maintaining the Outstanding rating. Let your passion shine through, and don’t be afraid to share your personal connection to the cause if you have one!
