At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young care leavers aged 18-25 in their transition to independent living.
- Company: Birmingham Children’s Trust, dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to improving lives and outcomes.
- Why this job: Be a vital support for young people as they navigate adulthood.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in care and support services.
Birmingham Children’s Trust is looking for an experienced Social Worker / Personal Adviser to provide a statutory service to children in care and care leavers aged 18–25. The role will focus on supporting eligible, relevant, former relevant and qualifying care leavers as they transition from care into adulthood and independent living. You will manage your own caseload, complete and review Pathway Plans, provide direct support and coordinate services to help young people achieve positive outcomes across accommodation, education, employment, finances, health and independent living.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage an allocated caseload of care leavers aged 18–25.
- Provide a statutory social work service in line with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
- Complete, coordinate and regularly review Pathway Plans.
- Support young people to prepare for and successfully transition into independent adulthood.
- Undertake assessments and develop individual plans based on the young person's needs.
- Provide direct work, advice and practical support to care leavers.
- Promote young people’s participation and ensure their views and wishes inform planning.
- Support young people with accommodation, education, employment, benefits, finances and access to services.
- Work with young people with continuing care needs and coordinate appropriate support.
- Liaise with social workers, carers, families and partner agencies to ensure effective services are provided.
- Participate in duty and referral work, responding to emerging needs.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and paper case records.
- Ensure young people receive their statutory entitlements and appropriate services.
- Work collaboratively with other agencies to promote positive outcomes and successful transitions.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of 18+ / Leaving Care services.
- Participate in supervision, training and relevant service development activities.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Qualified Social Worker with relevant professional registration.
- Experience working with children in care and/or care leavers.
- Knowledge of leaving care legislation, statutory duties and Pathway Planning.
- Experience managing a caseload and undertaking assessments and direct work.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by young people transitioning from care to adulthood.
- Experience working with partner agencies and coordinating multi-agency support.
- Strong recording, assessment, planning and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work in a young-person-centred, strengths-based and anti-discriminatory way.
- Good knowledge of accommodation, education, employment, benefits and support services relevant to care leavers.
- Ability to work flexibly and respond to the needs of young people.
Additional Requirements
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Willingness to undertake relevant training and professional development.
- Ability to work flexible hours where required to meet service-user needs.
- This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.
18+ Leaving Care Personal Advisor - Social Care Non-Qualified in Birmingham employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Social Work Assistant in the Children & Families team, you will benefit from ongoing training and professional growth opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation values flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 18+ Leaving Care Personal Advisor - Social Care Non-Qualified in Birmingham
✨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 We Do Social Work.
✨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 We Do Social Work!
✨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 We Do Social Work, 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 We Do Social Work 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 18+ Leaving Care Personal Advisor - Social Care Non-Qualified in Birmingham
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 We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! 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 We Do Social Work
✨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.
