Personal Advisor – Leaving Care

Location: Knowsley Borough Council
Service Area: Children’s Social Care – Leaving Care
Role Type: Unqualified Social Care
 

Job Overview

Knowsley Borough Council is seeking a compassionate and motivated Personal Advisor to support care-experienced young people as they transition from care into independent adulthood.

The successful candidate will work directly with young people, helping them develop the skills, confidence and practical knowledge needed to live independently. This includes supporting access to education, employment, training, accommodation, financial advice and wider community services.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced unqualified social care professional with a background in supporting young people, care leavers or vulnerable adolescents.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide practical advice, guidance and ongoing support to care leavers and young people preparing to leave care.

• Support young people to develop and maintain their Pathway Plans, working towards agreed outcomes and greater independence.

• Help young people access suitable and stable accommodation, including supporting tenancy arrangements and independent living skills.

• Assist young people with education, employment and training opportunities, including applications, careers advice and engagement with local services.

• Provide guidance on budgeting, managing money, benefits, bills, cooking, shopping and other essential life skills.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people, encouraging participation in decisions about their lives and future.

• Liaise with social workers, foster carers, residential providers, housing teams, education providers, health professionals and other partner agencies.

• Monitor young people's progress, identify emerging needs and escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately.

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records, assessments, support plans and visit notes.

• Advocate for young people to help ensure they receive the services, support and entitlements they are eligible for.

• Support young people experiencing challenges around emotional wellbeing, social isolation, relationships or independent living.

• Undertake visits and maintain regular contact with young people in accordance with service requirements.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Experience working with young people, vulnerable adolescents or care-experienced individuals within a social care, youth work, support work or related setting.

• Understanding of the challenges faced by care leavers as they transition into adulthood.

• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to recognise and report concerns.

• Strong communication, relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to encourage young people to develop independence, resilience and confidence.

• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership collaboration.

• Good organisational skills, including the ability to maintain accurate case records and manage a varied workload.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider team.

Experience

• Previous experience within a Leaving Care Service, Children’s Services, residential childcare, supported accommodation or a youth support service.

• Knowledge of Pathway Plans and the support available to care leavers.

• Understanding of relevant legislation and guidance relating to care leavers, including the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.

• Experience supporting young people with housing, education, employment, training or independent living.

• Relevant qualifications in Health and Social Care, Youth Work or a related discipline.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be approachable, patient and committed to helping young people achieve positive outcomes. They will be able to build meaningful relationships, promote independence and provide practical support while maintaining professional boundaries and safeguarding responsibilities.

This is an unqualified social care role and may suit candidates with relevant practical experience in youth work, residential childcare, family support, supported accommodation or other services working with vulnerable young people. A social work qualification should not be assumed to be a requirement; the appointing service's person specification will determine the formal criteria.