Personal Advisor (Leaving Care Service) – AR

Job Details

Job Description

Job Title

Personal Advisor (Leaving Care Service)

Purpose of the Role

To manage an allocated caseload of care leavers aged 17½ to 25, providing high-quality, person-centred support to enable them to transition successfully into independent adulthood. The Personal Advisor is responsible for delivering direct services, managing complex and high-risk cases, and working collaboratively with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people in line with statutory legislation, local authority procedures, and service objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management

  • Manage an allocated caseload of care leavers, ensuring regular contact and ongoing assessment of their needs.
  • Develop, implement, monitor, and review Pathway Plans that reflect each young person’s goals, strengths, needs, and aspirations.
  • Deliver timely interventions to support positive outcomes in education, employment, housing, health, finances, and independent living.
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date case records and ensure all documentation complies with statutory and organisational requirements.

Direct Support

  • Build positive, trusting relationships with young people to encourage engagement and participation.
  • Provide information, advice, guidance, and practical support tailored to each individual’s circumstances.
  • Support young people in developing life skills, including budgeting, tenancy management, accessing benefits, and independent living.
  • Encourage and motivate young people to achieve personal, educational, and employment goals through creative and strengths-based approaches.

Risk Management and Safeguarding

  • Assess, monitor, and manage complex and high-risk cases, identifying safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action.
  • Work within safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance to promote the welfare and safety of young people.
  • Escalate concerns appropriately and contribute to effective risk management plans.

Multi-Agency Working

  • Work collaboratively with social workers, housing providers, education and training providers, health professionals, employers, voluntary organisations, and other partner agencies.
  • Coordinate services to ensure young people receive integrated and effective support.
  • Represent the service at professional meetings, reviews, and multi-agency forums where required.

Education, Employment and Training

  • Support young people to access education, apprenticeships, training, and employment opportunities.
  • Liaise with educational establishments, training providers, and employers to ensure appropriate support is in place.
  • Promote learning, personal development, and career progression to improve long-term outcomes.

Family and Community Engagement

  • Where appropriate, work alongside parents, carers, families, and support networks to strengthen the young person’s opportunities and independence.
  • Develop and maintain effective links with community organisations and voluntary sector services to maximise available support.

Professional Practice

  • Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice relating to care leavers.
  • Participate in supervision, training, and continuous professional development.
  • Reflect on practice to improve service delivery and contribute to achieving team performance targets and quality standards.
  • Meet all performance indicators, including timely recording, reporting, and case review requirements.

Key Skills and Competencies

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  • Excellent communication and active listening skills.
  • Ability to engage and motivate vulnerable young people.
  • Effective case management and organisational skills.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding principles and risk assessment.
  • Experience of multi-agency partnership working.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
  • Ability to work independently while managing competing priorities.
  • Accurate record keeping and report writing skills.
  • Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Knowledge and Experience

  • Experience supporting vulnerable young people or care leavers.
  • Understanding of the challenges faced by young people transitioning to independent living.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and local authority procedures relating to care leavers.
  • Experience of managing a caseload and coordinating support services.
  • Experience working in partnership with statutory, voluntary, and community organisations.

Overall Objective

To empower care leavers to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes by providing effective guidance, advocacy, practical support, and coordinated interventions that enable them to live safely, independently, and successfully within their communities.