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Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
Leaving Care Personal Adviser
We're proud to announce that AfC's Children's Services in Richmond have been awarded an Outstanding rating by Ofsted. This places Richmond alongside Kingston, which also holds an Outstanding rating, as a top-performing service. Our separately inspected Fostering Service has achieved a strong ‘Good’ rating, recognising our skilled and dedicated fostering workforce.
Come work with a skilled, stable workforce and be part of an organisation that's truly making a difference.
The Leaving Care/Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Team sit within our Permanency Service, this service is made up of the Leaving Care/UASC Team, Permanency Team, Fostering Team and the Adoption Team.
The Leaving Care service operates across Kingston and Richmond and supports young people from the age of 16 who are looked after,have recently left care (up to the age of 25) or who are unaccompanied asylum seeking children,to become independent and inspire them to set ambitious goals for themselves.
These goals include them acquiring the skills, knowledge and confidence to live independently, including how to manage their money, have appropriate accommodation options , access education, training and employment, live a healthy lifestyle and access health support when they need and develop and maintain social networks that will sustain them throughout their lives.
About the role
Personal advisors in the Leaving Care service provide practical help and direct support to young people and young adults using the service from age 18. They are required to manage an agreed caseload of young people in compliance with casework objectives, departmental policy and procedural requirements, consistently maintaining the highest level of professional standards. The Personal Advisor will safeguard and promote the welfare of young people, giving due consideration to their race, culture, religion and linguistic background. They will use agreed assessment frameworks in collaboration with the individual to robustly assess their needs and to develop corresponding Pathway Plans setting out clear goals and who is going to provide assistance. They will ensure the mental, physical and sexual health needs of young people are assessed and met and to assist them in accessing health services, local leisure facilities, social networks and other community facilities and links. They will identify accommodation needs and assist young people in securing appropriate accommodation options, whilst ensuring the educational, training and employment needs of young people are assessed and met.
The Personal Advisor will also ensure that young people who are seeking asylum, or who have an unresolved immigration status, have good quality legal representation to help them with their applications and to maintain contact with the immigration authorities. They will help young people with the resettlement process and transition to benefits after they are granted leave to remain in the UK.
This role operates on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of three days per week required in the office, and is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract. For further information about this role, please contact Shaira Makoria at Shaira.Makorie@achievingforchildren.org.uk for an informal discussion.
About you
Qualifications
Qualification in Youth Work or a related field (e.g. NVQ Level 4 in Guidance, Youth and Community Work).
Skills and Experience
Experience working directly with young people in formal and informal settings, including needs assessments, care planning and providing guidance and support. Strong understanding of relevant theory and statutory legislation affecting children’s services. Proven ability to build effective partnerships with young people, families and stakeholders, while advocating for young people’s voices. Experience using data and evidence to inform decisions, maintaining accurate records and producing clear reports. Ability to engage young people in services and address equality and diversity issues within practice.
Personal Attributes
A passion for Achieving for Children’s values and improving outcomes for children and young people. Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Confident using digital tools such as Microsoft or Google software. Motivated, adaptable and committed to delivering positive outcomes through a strengths-based approach.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
