Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

The Team

Leaving and Aftercare

Leaving and Aftercare Teams concentrate 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 they all have opportunity to undertake focused work with young people. They look 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 to access education, training and employment.

Job Purpose

The main focus 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 to young people in order to meet assessed need; to maintain and promote their health, physical, emotional development and wellbeing. This may include domestic tasks and transporting where necessary.
• To specifically support and advise young people leaving care in key areas including health, benefits, education, training, employment, accommodation/housing and personal well-being.
• To facilitate, directly and indirectly, the assessment of need, engaging with the ongoing monitoring and reassessment of need, engaging with the ongoing monitoring and reassessment of need over time.
• 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-advocate
• To advocate on behalf of young people who do not have the skills to do this.
• To facilitate the construction of a Pathway Plan, from the assessment which establishes a viable response to established need over time.
• To develop Personal Action Plans with young people.
• To encourage young people not only to fully engage with developing their individual plans, but to participate in the development of the service as a whole.
• To be prepared to work in a variety of ways, as well as direct work with individuals, for example in groups and running "drop ins" etc.
• To work alongside colleagues both within social services and from 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 times of major transitions from childhood to adulthood.
• To liaise with others involved to ensure that assessed needs are met within the agreed plans for the child or young person in a timely way.
• To build up effective interagency networks and have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies as well as an awareness of opportunities within the local community.
• To 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 children, young people and their carers.
• To keep abreast of practice developments through reading and attending training courses.
• To be aware of Essex Child Protection Guidelines.
• To carry out any other appropriate duties that may be required commensurate with the grade of the post.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Experience of working in a supportive relationship, with young people
• Experience in working creatively with in various ways young people including young parents
• Previous work experience in either a paid or voluntary capacity working with children, young people and families
• Experience in collaborating with other professionals and agencies for the benefit of the client
• Experience of housing, employment and training issues for young people
• Knowledge of adolescents and adolescent issues
• A commitment to working relationships which promote and support the clients' developing independence
• A commitment to one's own personal and professional development
• Be able to work as part of a team and be flexible
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Full driving licence and the use of a car or access to a driver and vehicle for work purposes

The 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 licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.