Personal Advisor - Children We Care for and Leaving Care - South

Job Introduction

About Us

Every young person deserves someone in their corner.

At Oxfordshire County Council, our Leaving Care Service is committed to helping care-experienced young people build happy, healthy and successful futures. As a corporate parent, we recognise that our responsibility does not end when a young person leaves care. In many ways, it is just the beginning.

Our Personal Advisors play a vital role in supporting young people aged 16 to 25 as they navigate some of life's biggest milestones. Whether it's finding a place to live, accessing education or employment, managing finances, building independence or simply having someone they can trust, we are there every step of the way.

This is a team that changes lives. We celebrate achievements, help young people overcome challenges and work tirelessly to ensure they have the same opportunities to thrive as their peers. If you're looking for a role where no two days are the same and where your work genuinely matters, you'll find it here.

About the Role

This is far more than a support role. It's about being a guide, advocate, coach and trusted adult during one of the most important transitions in a young person's life.

As a Personal Advisor, you will build meaningful relationships with care-experienced young people and help them navigate their journey towards independence. You'll work alongside them to create and review Pathway Plans, ensuring their voices, ambitions and aspirations remain at the heart of every decision. You'll celebrate their successes, help them overcome barriers and empower them to make confident choices about their future.

One day you might be helping a young person secure accommodation, supporting them into higher education or employment, or ensuring they can access the financial support they're entitled to. The next, you could be advocating on their behalf with housing providers, health services or partner agencies, helping them access opportunities that could transform their lives.

You'll manage your own caseload, coordinate vital services, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners across Oxfordshire to ensure young people receive the support they need. You'll also support young people from a range of backgrounds, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young adults, helping them navigate often complex systems and build positive futures.

This is a role for someone who wants to see the direct impact of their work. Every conversation, every piece of advice and every opportunity you help create has the potential to change a young person's future for the better.

About you

You are someone who believes in young people and their potential.

You may come from a social care, youth work, education, housing, criminal justice or support background, but above all, you'll bring a genuine passion for helping young people succeed. You'll understand how to build positive professional relationships, establish trust and provide support that empowers rather than directs.

You'll be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills and the confidence to work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals and agencies. You're able to assess needs, develop plans, solve problems creatively and advocate effectively for the young people you support.

We're looking for someone who is resilient, adaptable and able to remain positive when faced with challenges. You'll be comfortable managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate records and working flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the young people who rely on it.

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to improving life chances for care-experienced young people. You'll see the person behind the circumstances, champion their rights, celebrate their achievements and help them build the confidence, skills and independence they need to flourish as adults.

If you want a career where your impact is visible every single day, where you can help young people believe in themselves and where you'll be part of a team that genuinely changes lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Rewards and benefits

• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
• Option to buy additional holiday. 
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Flexible working.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7.
• Range of family-friendly policies.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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