Personal Advisor

The starting salary for this role is £35,730 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. This is an 8-month secondment opportunity.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Personal Advisor to join our Children Looked After and Leaving Care Team based in Woking.

This role is open to hybrid working meaning you aren't required in the office 5 days a week. In support of our people and our greener futures strategies, we'd welcome a conversation with the successful candidate on what hybrid working may look like for you.

Please note, the contractual location for this role is currently Quadrant Court, however it is our intention to move within the local area to Victoria Gate in Central Woking.

Rewards and benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team
The Children Looked After and Leaving Care Team's purpose is to case hold and provide support to young people aged 18 - 25 years who have ceased to be looked after by the local authority, and who are eligible for a service as per the Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and/or The Children and Social Work Act 2017. Our vision is to support eligible young people to achieve their potential as they make their transition to adulthood. This includes asylum seeking young people (referred to as Relevant and Former Relevant young people).

About the Role
As a Personal Advisor you will case hold high risk and complex young people and participate in the assessment and preparation of Pathway Plans for those who are eligible. The Pathway Plan sets out the young person's aspirations regarding education, accommodation, health, social relationships and specific needs. For asylum seeking young people, how their immigration status may impact on these areas.

Working closely with the Team Manager and the wider team, you will make a personal contribution to a collective endeavour, creating the conditions for success and actively contributing to the development of the service. Alongside this, you may be responsible for representing the Leaving Care Service at working groups such as participation events and at Care Council meetings. You will also chair and lead the review of the Pathway Plan according to statutory requirements, including liaising with partners for young people living out of Surrey.

As a Personal Advisor you will be able to recommend services that the local authority maybe required to pay for, and while you would hold no direct budget responsibilities, you would be required to have an understanding of the finance policy. Alongside your caseload, you will be required to carry out duty on a rota basis.

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Ability to develop and sustain good working relationships with young people including those who may be disengaged
• A good working knowledge of relevant legislation (The Children Act 1989, Children Leaving Care Act 2004, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Children and Social Work Act 2017)
• Ability to work to defined reporting standards, ensuring that reports are structured and evidence based
• An awareness of current issues relating to socially excluded young people including young people claiming asylum and/or subject to immigration control
• An awareness of Housing legislation, Department of Work and Pensions Benefits and Immigration Policy

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 1st February 2025 with interviews to follow on the 10th February 2025.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.