Location: Worthing
Contract: Initial 4-month assignment
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £23 per hour (via umbrella company)/ £18 PAYE an hour
Working Arrangements: Hybrid – attendance at Worthing office 1–2 times per week for team meetings, and 3 times a week every 6 weeks when on duty. Home working available when not attending the office or visiting young people.
West Sussex County Council is seeking an experienced Leaving Care Personal Advisor to join our Corporate Parenting service in Worthing. This is a rewarding and vital role within the Leaving Care Service, offering meaningful support to young people transitioning from care into independent adulthood.
About the Role: As a Personal Advisor, you will support young people aged 16–21 (and up to 25 where appropriate), helping them navigate the challenges of leaving care. This includes providing practical advice, emotional support, and guidance across key life areas such as education, employment, housing, health, and relationships.
You will:
- Build trusted, long-term relationships with young people
- Guide and support them through their Pathway Plans
- Promote independence while ensuring safety and wellbeing
- Lead on safety planning and risk management where required
- Work collaboratively with partners and other professionals
- Visit young people face to face and maintain regular communication
- Encourage aspiration and empower young people to achieve their goals
- Support young people with mental health, substance use, housing, education and employment challenges
- Provide proactive input into transition planning, developing their confidence and independence
- Help young people access and sustain suitable accommodation and financial support
- Keep accurate, timely records and contribute to service improvement
- Experience working with children or young people as a Personal Advisor or in a children's social care role is essential
- Proven ability to engage and build rapport with care-experienced young people
- Understanding of the challenges care leavers face in transitioning to adulthood
- Confident in managing safeguarding concerns and leading risk/safety plans
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Organised, reliable, and passionate about improving outcomes for young people
This is your chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people, helping them move forward with confidence and support.
Apply now to be part of a forward-thinking, compassionate team dedicated to the futures of care leavers in West Sussex.
