Leaving Care Personal Advisor

ob Description & Person Specification Job Reference: JAJB4326

Job Title Personal Advisor (Care Leavers)

Grade: 7
Reporting to: Practice Manager

Job Purpose As a Personal Advisor, you will act as a corporate parent for young people preparing to leave the care of Cheshire East Council.

You will provide high-quality assessment, guidance, and ongoing support to enable care leavers to develop the emotional, practical, and financial skills required for independent living. Through a targeted, outcome-focused approach, you will empower young people to realise their potential, build resilience, and achieve positive life outcomes across education, employment, housing, health, and wellbeing.

This role delivers statutory support to young people legally defined as care leavers and entitled to services under relevant legislation.

Key Responsibilities Supporting Young People

• Build and sustain strong, trusting relationships with young people preparing to leave care, ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings are central to all planning and decision-making.
  
  
• Actively promote independence, confidence, and life skills to support successful transitions into adulthood.
  
  
• Advocate for the rights and best interests of young people, safeguarding them from harm and responding appropriately to concerns using Child Protection, safeguarding, and complaints procedures.
  
  

Assessment & Pathway Planning

• Contribute to and lead assessments, preparation, and reviews of Pathway Plans, ensuring plans are personalised, realistic, and outcome-focused.
  
  
• Support young people to develop emotional resilience, social skills, budgeting skills, and practical abilities required for independent living.
  
  

Multi-Agency Working

• Coordinate and facilitate access to services, taking reasonable steps to ensure care leavers engage with and benefit from available support.
  
  
• Maintain effective communication with partner agencies and professionals to monitor progress, wellbeing, and outcomes.
  
  

Record Keeping & Compliance

• Maintain full, accurate, and up-to-date records of all contacts, assessments, and interventions using the Council’s electronic recording systems.
  
  
• Work in line with local and national best practice guidance, contributing to the ongoing development and improvement of the service.
  
  

Flexibility & Responsiveness

• Provide a responsive and flexible service, including supporting young people in crisis situations.
  
  
• Be willing to work outside normal office hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, where service needs require.
  
  

Professional Practice

• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring services are delivered in a way that respects race, culture, disability, gender, and sexuality.
  
  
• Participate fully in supervision, performance management, PDR reviews, training, and professional development.
  
  
• Comply with Health & Safety policies and safe working procedures at all times.
  
  

The post holder may be required to undertake duties at any location within Cheshire East, consistent with the level and responsibilities of the role, to meet service demands.

Important Information – Disclosure & Barring This role is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions.

Applicants must disclose all convictions when prompted during the application process.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential:

• Good general education to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
  
  

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 3 in Advice & Guidance
  
  
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care
  
  

Assessment Method: Application Form

Knowledge & Skills Essential:

• Understanding of education, training, and employment pathways for young people
  
  
• Awareness of assessment methods and planning tools for young people
  
  
• Clear understanding of the challenges facing care-experienced young people
  
  
• Ability to build and sustain effective working partnerships
  
  
• Strong IT skills, including electronic recording systems
  
  
• Effective time management and organisational skills
  
  
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and organisations
  
  

Assessment Method: Application Form / Interview

Personal Competencies Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  
  
• Flexible, adaptable, and solution-focused approach
  
  
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and customer-centred practice
  
  

Assessment Method: Interview