Specialist Support Worker - Care Leavers
Location
Sutton, Greater London | United Kingdom
Job description
As a Specialist Support Worker (Personal Advisor) within the Children Looked After and Leaving Care Team you will be responsible for supporting care leavers (aged 18+) and young people to transition into adulthood to be independent, safe and contributing members of society. Responding to safeguarding concerns, providing practical support like housing and educational support, signposting to other services such as mental health services, budgeting and health. As well as providing a listening ear to young people there are also statutory requirements such as completing pathway plans with young people, smart planning and needs assessments.
This role is for 4 days a week and the days are flexible.
About Us 1
Sutton’s Children Looked After and Leaving Care Service progresses children in care into independence whilst keeping them safe and providing guidance and skills to navigate adulthood. A settled team with a positive culture located at The Quad which is to be used as pioneering hub around contextual safeguarding and innovative practice around work with adolescents. We have a fully supportive and restorative approach to both staff and families we work with. The Team are also leading innovative projects with fantastic engagement with young people who inform the service and who work closely with local organisations and businesses.
Following Ofsted's inspection of Sutton's Children's Service outcomes for children in care and care leavers was graded 'good'.
They found that "Care leavers receive positive and timely practical help and guidance from their easy-to-reach PAs, who are based in The Quad. A variety of support, including advice on how to navigate the benefits systems, is available."
This is supported by ofsted rated 'outstanding' leadership.
"Stability of leadership and strong aspirations to ‘get it right’ are key factors in their success. A strong culture of continuous learning and support to staff is bringing greater consistency of management oversight. Practitioners’ effective and authoritative practice leads to better outcomes for the majority of children. Most vulnerable children receive good help and effective care and protection that are making a difference to their lives."
About You 1
We welcome applications from individuals with good report writing and communication skills and the ability to engage with a variety of service users and stakeholders at all levels. A minimum of 2 years experience of working with vulnerable young people and knowledge of statutory requirements, The Children’s Act, Children Leaving Care Act and the Children in Social Care Act. Candidates will need to be culturally sensitive, working with people from all walks of life including those who have English as a second language and unaccompanied asylum seeking young people. This role also requires the need to pick up on safeguarding concerns and understanding the limits of confidentiality, knowledge of development of young people, working in a restorative and trauma informed way. A driving Licence is desirable for this role.
Our Offer To You 1
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps. Our Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme embraces new ways of working. It provides improved work life balance for our staff as it allows staff to work from a variety of locations and staff are not required to work within the office 5 days a week.
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