Leaving and Aftercare
Leaving and Aftercare Teams focus on good outcomes for young people aged 16 - 25 who are in care or have left care. The teams are made up of social workers and personal advisors, mental health co-ordinators and targeted youth advisors, and in mid quadrant, an occupational therapist. They all have the opportunity to undertake focused work with young people and seek to maximise the potential of young people who remain in care, by working with providers, other agencies and partners. For those who have left care, our teams continue to offer advice, information and help to enable young people to live independently - and help them to access education, training and employment.
Job Purpose
The main area of work will be, alongside social workers, to support young people who are "Looked After" (in care) and due to leave care, and those who have recently left. To consider all the important component parts that make up their individual lives in order to maximize their life opportunities and reach their full potential.
Key Accountabilities
To give practical, personal and emotional support and advise young people in order to meet their assessed need; to maintain and promote their health, physical and emotional wellbeing, benefits, housing, education, training and socialisation skills. .To facilitate, directly and indirectly, the assessment of need which may be immediate, short or long term.To identify and support young people to overcome barriers to learning.To enable and empower young people to make decisions in their lives and to self-advocateTo advocate on behalf of young people who do not have the skills to do this.To facilitate the construction of a pathway plan and to enable and promote, young people to contribute, in order their wishes and feelings are accurately reflectedTo encourage young people to participate in the development of the service as a whole in order they can effect change where neededTo work creatively with young people considering their wishes and feelings, interests and specific needs, this may include identifying a particular interest they have and supporting them to develop this furtherTo attend weekly 'Drop Ins'To work alongside colleagues both within social services and other agencies, and to engage with significant people in the young person's life (members of the family, community etc).To support young people through transitions in their livesTo build effective interagency networks both statutory and voluntary, within the local communityTo maintain records and write reports as required in accordance with directorate policy and procedures.To carry out a range of practical tasks to assist young people with both planned and unplanned activities.To attend meetings as required by the line manager, e.g. reviews, planning meetings etc.To maintain an awareness of relevant information and resources that may assist young people and their carers.To keep abreast of practice developments through reading and attending training courses.To be aware of the relevant acts within the Essex Child Protection Guidelines.To be actively involved in one to one and group supervision and case discussions, including transfer meetingsTo take a lead role in a particular area of expertise or interestTo undertake duty on a regular basisTo carry out any other appropriate duties that may be required, which are commensurate with the grade of the post.Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Have achieved NVQ level 3Experience of working in a supportive relationship, with young peopleExperience in working creatively with in various ways young people including young parentsPrevious work experience in either a paid or voluntary capacity working with children, young people and familiesExperience in collaborating with professionals and agenciesExperience of housing, employment and training issues for young peopleKnowledge of adolescents and adolescent issuesA commitment to working relationships which promote and support the young person's developing independenceA commitment to one's own personal and professional developmentBe able to work as part of a teamAbility to work some evenings and weekendsFull driving licence and the use of a car or access to a driver and vehicle for work purposesTo be contactable by telephoneThe role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving license and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 08:30 - 16:30.