Job Introduction
An opportunity to get involved in direct work and really make a difference to young people’s lives. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic and adaptable Personal Advisor within the Lichfield Children in Care and Care Leavers Service to support young people aged 16-24 who are preparing for, or are the process of, making the transition to independent living. As a Personal Advisor you will manage and support young people and ensure the provision of practical, personal, emotional, and financial advice to support a successful transition to adulthood and promote independence.
Working Hours
Wednesday 1.00pm-5.00pm, Thursday 8.30am – 5.00pm, Friday – 8.30am – 4.30pm. Can be flexible, but will be needed full day for duty.
Location
The Team is based at the Burton on Trent or Tamworth and is part of Children Services. However, the team is adapting and working from home options are available. There is variety to our work and no two days look the same. If you join us you can be confident of becoming part of a welcoming, supportive and innovative team.
Main Responsibility
As a Personal Advisor:
- You will develop effective working relationships with young people, parents and partner agencies and be the key professional to your allocated young people, providing practical help and guidance to promote their safety and wellbeing.
- You will be responsible for keeping case records, developing young people’s Pathway Plans, attending/chairing meetings, and completing visits to young people at home and in the community; always seeking to promote the best outcomes possible.
We are looking for someone who is flexible, although most of our young people live in Staffordshire, we have some young people who live all over the country and you may be required to travel with the occasional overnight stay.
The Ideal Candidate
- Two years’ experience working with young people.
- Experience of working with Children in Care and Care Leavers
- Have an NVQ 3 or equivalent in caring for children & young people (Candidates without NVQ 3 or must undertake to achieve it within two years of appointment).
- An understanding of the Children Act 1989, 2004, Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, Children and Social Work Act 2017
- Awareness of the needs of a variety of ethnicities of young people.
- Understanding of the needs of teenagers who are pregnant, and teenage parents.
- Understanding of the education, training and work experience needs of young people, and the opportunities open to them.
- Working knowledge of the accommodation needs and housing legislation in relation to young people Leaving Care.
- Working knowledge of the Benefits System.
- Working knowledge of access to health and wellbeing services, for physical, mental and emotional needs.
Interview Date: 06/01/2022 – Interviews will take place on-line
For more information about the role please contact: Amanda Redding or Rebecca Cowley - Senior Practitioner, Children in Care and Care Leavers Team 1, Telephone: 01827 782555
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
