Personal Advisor - Leaving Care Service

Job Description

About UsHere at West Sussex County Council we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey. Thework we have started includes establishing a new and experienced leadership team driving forward our Children First improvement plan.About The JobWorking Pattern: Full-time and Part Time ( Part Time is 0.6 FTE - 22.2 Hours Per Week)Location: Horsham, Worthing or BognorOur Personal Advisors are ambitious for our young people, committed to improving services for them and passionate about making a real difference to their lives. You will work with directly with individual young people who are leaving the care of the LocalAuthority by helping to assess and meet their learning, personal and social needs. You will ensure they are supported safely and appropriately which is essential in understanding and managing any risks that may be presented and leading on any safety planningthat is required.As a Personal Advisor within the Leaving Care Service you will be working with young people at a crucial moment in their lives and will need in depth knowledge, understanding and compassion of the backgrounds and history surrounding young people in care;ideally experience of having worked with young people in a crisis situation. You will also need to be able to demonstrate experience of partnership working and conflict management and be able to communicate clearly and effectively o a wide range of peopleand have the ability to negotiate, persuade and listen to ensure that the focus on the needs of the individual is maintained.Experience and SkillsKey Skills:

• Ability to analyse and interpret people related information and data in order to prioritise needs, and to negotiate and implement effective plans for intervention and service provision.
• Ability to effectively engage and empower Care Leavers to undertake direct work and use a range of interventions to achieve change.
• Ability to work effectively with young people in crisis and manage conflict, containing own and others anxieties and working within the boundaries of the role.
• Ability to work in partnership with carers, colleagues and a variety of external agencies in order to deliver the most effective service, including the ability to facilitate and co-ordinate multi-agency meetings and plans.
• Ability to work professionally, to reflect on own practice and learn from experience. To take responsibility for own performance and be proactive in relation to own work and professional development..

Qualifications and experience:

• Relevant degree, or equivalent qualification or experience, demonstrating that level of applied knowledge in providing advice and support to young people.
• Relevant postgraduate professional qualification or equivalent qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of legislation and national policy developments regarding youth, and their implications for practice, in particular the field of Leaving Care.
• Understanding of working with young people in crisis and the delivery of support and advice to enable and encourage them in their transition from adolescence to adulthood. For example, the transition from a supported living environment into a more independentenvironment.
• Understanding of occupational, career and other pathway opportunities for young people both locally and nationally.
• IT knowledge in order to maintain accurate records.
• Significant experience of direct work with young people who have a range of presenting issues.
• Experience of working in a multi-agency context, demonstrating an awareness of differing roles and responsibilities and effective methods of collaboration.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewardedfor the work they do. In addition to working within an incredibly supportive team, youll be entitled to 27 days annual leave, as well as the option to buy up to 3 additional days, a generous Local Government Pension Scheme and a range of training and developmentopportunities.Further InformationFor an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact Naomi Williams (Service Manager) at .To apply, upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main adverton our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check. You must be able to travel throughout the county including to locations that are not always accessible by public transport.For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veterans Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please visit our help applying for jobs page.