Personal Adviser

37 hours per week

The role is based on the Isle of Wight with agile and flexible work practices. The office location is County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Temporary post up to 12 months to cover maternity leave

Making a difference for care experienced young people

About Us: We are a dedicated and compassionate organization committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for the children and young people we care for. Our mission is to ensure every child and young person is given the opportunity to thrive in a loving family setting.

Creating change together with our children, families and professional colleagues to ensure all children achieve their aspirations.

Job Description:

The Personal Adviser is responsible for supporting care-experienced young people aged 18 to 25 to achieve positive outcomes and successfully transition into adulthood. The role involves providing practical, emotional and advocacy support, ensuring young people receive the services and opportunities they require to develop independence, stability and resilience.

Working within the Next Steps Service, the Personal Adviser will build effective relationships with young people, coordinate support from a range of partner agencies and contribute to the development, implementation and review of Pathway Plans. The post holder will champion the voice of care-experienced young people, promote their aspirations and ensure they are supported to access education, employment, training, accommodation, health services and community resources.

The role requires a strengths-based and relationship-focused approach, working collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, carers, families and other professionals to improve life chances and deliver statutory responsibilities towards care-experienced young people

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide advice, guidance and practical support to care-experienced young people aged 18-25.
• Build and maintain positive, trusting and effective relationships with young people.
• Develop, implement and review Pathway Plans, ensuring they reflect young people's aspirations, strengths and changing needs.
• Coordinate and monitor services required to support young people's transition to adulthood.
• Advocate on behalf of young people and ensure their voice influences decision-making.
• Support young people to access suitable accommodation and sustain successful tenancies.
• Assist young people to engage in education, training and employment opportunities.
• Promote emotional wellbeing and support access to health and mental health services.
• Undertake direct work, coaching, mentoring and group interventions to develop independent living skills.
• Liaise effectively with social workers, housing providers, education providers, health services and partner agencies.
• Maintain regular contact with young people in line with statutory guidance and service expectations.
• Assess and manage risk, taking appropriate safeguarding action where necessary.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic records, case notes and performance information.
• Prepare reports and contribute to meetings, reviews and multi-agency forums.
• Support young people in understanding their rights, entitlements and responsibilities.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
• Contribute to service development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Undertake any additional duties consistent with the responsibilities of the role

Requirements:

• Experience of working with young people, vulnerable young adults or care-experienced individuals.
• Knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and best practice relating to care leavers and Corporate Parenting.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and risk management.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by care-experienced young people transitioning to adulthood.
• Experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies and professionals.
• Experience of providing advocacy, advice and practical support.

• Understanding of housing, education, employment and welfare systems relevant to young people.
• Ability to build positive and professional relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate, encourage and empower young people.
• Ability to assess need, analyse information and identify appropriate interventions.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage challenging situations and respond appropriately to risk.
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Strong report writing and record-keeping skills.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and electronic case management systems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Relocation package available

For further information or an informal discussion please contact Mark Rodwell at mark.rodwell@iow.gov.uk or phone 01983 821000.

Isle of Wight Children's Service Social Care achieved a Good Ofsted rating in 2018, which was maintained in November 2023.

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.