Personal Advisor

Job Description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Personal Advisor

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, person-centred support to Children in Care and Care Leavers, helping them successfully transition into independent adulthood. The Personal Advisor will hold and manage a caseload, develop and review Pathway Plans, and provide practical, emotional, and developmental support to enable young people to achieve positive outcomes in education, employment, housing, health, and wellbeing.

The post holder will work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies to safeguard vulnerable young people, promote independence, build resilience, and ensure compliance with all statutory duties and responsibilities under relevant legislation and guidance.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management

• Manage a caseload of Children in Care and Care Leavers, ensuring all statutory responsibilities are fulfilled.
  
• Develop, implement, monitor, and review Pathway Plans that reflect the individual needs, aspirations, strengths, and risks of young people.
  
• Maintain regular contact with young people through home visits, meetings, and outreach support.
  

Young Person Support

• Build positive, trusting, and professional relationships with young people.
  
• Provide practical guidance and emotional support to help young people develop independent living skills, including budgeting, cooking, tenancy management, and accessing community resources.
  
• Support young people in making informed decisions and achieving their personal goals.
  

Safeguarding and Welfare

• Recognise, assess, and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
  
• Follow safeguarding procedures and escalate concerns where required.
  
• Promote the health, wellbeing, and safety of young people at all times.
  

Partnership Working

• Work closely with social workers, housing providers, health professionals, education services, training providers, employers, and voluntary organisations.
  
• Coordinate and facilitate access to appropriate support services and interventions.
  
• Advocate on behalf of young people to ensure their needs are met.
  

Education, Employment and Training

• Support young people in accessing and sustaining education, training, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.
  
• Encourage personal development and career progression.
  
• Assist with applications, interviews, and progression planning.
  

Record Keeping and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality case records, reports, assessments, and correspondence.
  
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and professional standards.
  
• Contribute to performance monitoring and service improvement activities.
  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
  
• Ensure services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of young people.
  
• Treat all individuals with dignity and respect.
  

Essential Experience

• Experience of working directly with vulnerable young people, children in care, care leavers, or young adults.
  
• Experience of managing a caseload and developing support plans.
  
• Experience of providing practical, emotional, and advocacy support.
  
• Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
  
• Experience of identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns.
  
• Experience of maintaining accurate case records and reports.
  

Desirable Experience

• Experience within a Leaving Care Service, Children's Social Care, Youth Services, Housing Support, or Family Support setting.
  
• Experience supporting young people into education, employment, and training.
  
• Knowledge of accommodation and housing pathways for young people.
  

Essential Qualifications

• Educated to Level 3 qualification (A-Level, NVQ Level 3, Diploma, or equivalent) in Health & Social Care, Youth Work, Social Care, Education, Community Work, or a related field.
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 4 or Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline.
  
• Professional qualification in Youth Work, Social Care, Housing, or related area.
  
• Safeguarding Children training.
  
• Relevant continuing professional development relating to care leavers and youth support services.
  

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of legislation, guidance, and best practice relating to Children in Care and Care Leavers.
  
• Understanding of safeguarding principles and procedures.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to engage and motivate young people from diverse backgrounds.
  
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  
• Competent IT skills and experience using case management systems.
  

Desirable

• Knowledge of housing legislation and welfare benefits.
  
• Understanding of mental health, substance misuse, and specialist support services available to young people.
  

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel within and outside the local authority area to undertake visits and attend meetings.
  
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
  
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
  
• Flexible approach to working hours where service needs require.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Nottingham
  
• Hours: 37 hours per week
  
• Pay Rate: £21.94 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• Contract Type: Temporary/Agency
  
• Reporting To: Team Manager – Leaving Care Team
  
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available
  
• Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged
  

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid Working: The role is office-based to support the team's duty function, with regular visits to care leavers and office attendance as required.
  
• Travel Requirements: The post holder will be required to undertake home visits, with the majority taking place within Nottingham City and the surrounding local area.
  

Requirements
• Experience of working directly with vulnerable young people, children in care, care leavers, or young adults. • Experience of managing a caseload and developing support plans. • Experience of providing practical, emotional, and advocacy support. • Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and stakeholders.