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Personal Advisor - 16+ Care Leavers Team (CSC/26/725/BB)

Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)

Department: Children’s Services

Salary: Range 4 Level A (£32,378 per annum)

Job Status: Temporary Full Time

This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis of 9 months; however, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed. If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).

Hours: 37 per week

Location: The Elaine Centre, Clifton Close, Strood

Hybrid – Works part from Elaine Centre and part from home.

Closing Date: 02/08/2026

This is an exciting opportunity to join our 16+ Care Leaver Service as a Personal Advisor. You will work with young people from the age of 16 to 25 and will support, advise, and befriend young people from the age of 16 who are in care as well as young people who have left care.

Duties include:

• Assessing, planning, and coordinating services for care experienced young people identifying their specific needs and those at risk of harm.
• Managing a caseload of varying complexity in compliance with departmental policies and procedures with statutory timescales, whilst maintaining accurate records and case files.
• Working in partnership with relevant agencies and other stakeholders
• Jointly working with social workers within the service supporting children in care aged 16-18 in preparation for adulthood and independence.
• You must hold an NVQ3 in Health and Social Care (or an equivalent relevant subject) together with a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English at Grade 6 or equivalent. Experience of working with young people in care and/or care leavers and up to date knowledge of legislation is essential.

A day in the life of a PA:

“I have tried to think of everything we do in a day but it is so random at times and no two days are ever the same.

• As a PA you really are a “corporate parent”.
• Care leavers often have a very small support network and little contact with parents or family, if any.
• As a PA you are the taxi driver, the bank of social care, the nurse, the removal person, the handyperson and the counsellor.
• The person they call when they have run out of food, electricity, they need to hang curtains, they are homeless, a referral has been made to social care relating to their child, or they have achieved a first at university.
• You move care leavers to university, or you attend court when they have done something wrong.
• You help shop for their first home or you visit them in prison.
• You take them for their first baby scan, or you support them through a still birth.
• You chase them all over the UK because they are involved with county lines, or you visit them at home.
• You need to have a thick skin and even more patience.
• If at first you don’t succeed you just keep trying.

Some of our very challenging cases generally emerge from their teenage years successfully. This is down to the relationship between the young person and their PA because we are often the only reliable, consistent, adult in their lives and despite the problems and issues that come our way, we keep on coming back for more.

No matter how many times they push us away, we are always still there.”

We also require you to have a full UK driving license with access to a vehicle for business purposes.

The successful post holder will be subject to a Enhanced Childrens DBS check.

Shortlisting will take place on 3rd August 2026

For an informal discussion about the position please contact Debbie Taylor, Service Manager on 07773210505.

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Level specific wording for targeted recruitment:

Level A

16+ Care Leavers Team are seeking a [job title] to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information-

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
• Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.