Personal Advisor

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting a Personal Advisor to join our 16-25 Team, made up of friendly and professional Social Workers and Personal Advisors who support our looked-after and care-experienced young people.

The team provides young people with support and guidance as they enter into adulthood, working closely with colleagues in Health, Housing, Adult Social Care, Education and more to ensure our young people have the opportunity to reach their potential.

You’ll be organised with excellent communication skills, have the ability to remain calm in a crisis and be willing to work as part of a team.

You’ll have good written skills and be confident when using computers.

Role Responsibilities

• You'll work with a number of care experienced young people from 16 years old up to the age of 25.
• Work within the legal framework and leaving care policy.
• Advocate for the young person so they are supported to reach their potential and have a successful transition to adulthood.
• Demonstrate skills in assessing young people’s needs and accessing relevant interventions so that each care leaver is enabled to make positive improvements in their lives.
• Provide direct work, advice, guidance, practical and emotional support to care experienced young people.
• Review Pathway Plans, support visits, and support young people to access accommodation, education, employment or training and appropriate services to meet their needs.

Ideal Candidate

• Experience of working with young people.
• Some knowledge of leaving care legislation or being willing to learn.
• A motivated individual who is willing to engage young people creatively, encouraging them to achieve their aspirations.
• Good communication skills and also an ability to use IT equipment to record work.
• Flexible – you might be asked to work in another place.
• For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle insurance with business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role.
• Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).

About The Company

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.