**Job Title:
Virtual School 16+ Personal Adviser
Starting Salary:
£35,745 opportunity to progress to £39,186 - Pay Increase pending
Hours:
37.0
Location:
Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type:
Fixed Term End Date - 12 Months
Directorate:
Childrens Services
You will join the Virtual School, within Hertfordshire Children's Services, who support a broad range of Looked After Children (CLA), Care Leavers and Children with a Social Worker (CSW). Your specific role sits within our 16+ service, in a small team of specialist, highly experienced practitioners, who focus on engaging and supporting Separated Migrant Children (SMC) into and through education, employment and training. We work closely with education providers both in and outside of Hertfordshire, as well as our specialist SMC social care service and accommodation providers. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcomes for an ever-evolving cohort of vulnerable young people who are currently being supported by HCC as Looked After Children and asylum seekers. This is a new role, expanding the relatively new 16+ Virtual School SMC team, and will offer opportunity to shape some elements of the service, including our new Orientation Programme and enrichment offer.
About the role
You will engage effectively with and provide support for a caseload of 16+ looked after young people and care leavers, determined by negotiation with your manager to identify and support overcoming barriers to personal development, learning and work, particularly during periods of transition (including from statutory school to post-16 education).
You will work to agreed targets including NEET prevention and reduction; monitoring the progress of looked after young people and care leavers on your caseload through regular review, recording data on relevant management information systems to appropriate timescales and standards, producing reports including at least 'good' PEPs and correspondence as required.
You will engage effectively in multi-agency working to develop collaborative relationships with relevant staff in a range of agencies including schools (during Y11 transition), social care, SfYP, colleges and training providers to support meeting the individualised targets for a looked after young person or care leaver.
You will deliver high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance to assist looked after young people and care leavers in making successful transitions.
You will work with looked after young people and care leavers' family members, carers and key workers, to enable them to contribute to effectively target support towards full engagement with EET.
You will participate in the development of the Virtual School by contributing to working groups, reviewing and revising policies and procedures, attending staff meetings and conferences, being responsible for continual professional development and looking at how the service can improve further.
You will actively participate in the Performance Management and Development process to meet agreed quality standards.
This newly created post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to support the integration of some of Hertfordshire's newest residents. It offers a real opportunity to tangibly support young people, many at the end of a long traumatic journey, through their first steps into British life, culture and education - offering many opportunities for rewarding challenges. Working with a caseload of Separated Migrant Looked After Children, this role bridges the Further Education and Social Care sectors, offering substantial experience and career development in both.
About you
Essential:
- Successful experience of engaging with a wide range of vulnerable young people in an EET context, including those who face barriers to progression in learning.
- Ability to work independently, and in a variety of formal and informal environments, demonstrating a pro-active approach to problem solving.
- A working understanding of the issues facing all young people, a commitment to equality and diversity (particularly in respect of asylum seeking young people) and the ability to challenge stereotyping and advocate on behalf of young people.
- Ability to assess, prioritise, plan and review with young people and partner agencies, in line with the Hertfordshire County Council Ways of Working policies; including occasional evening, weekend and residential delivery.
- A strong knowledge of programmes of study for Further Education learners, ideally including those studying on ESOL and vocational education pathways.
- A driving license and access to personal transport, in order to travel independently at all times both in and on occasion outside of Hertfordshire.
Desirable:
- A working understanding of the needs of looked after young people and care leavers, including the challenges posed by, and legislation in respect of, leaving care.
- Qualifications at Level 4 or above and/or significant professional experience in post-16 Education, Careers Information, Advice and Guidance or fields related to working with vulnerable young people would be a distinct advantage.
- Evidence of previous experience of working with young people from a variety of backgrounds is highly desirable, ideally including those who would be considered vulnerable and/or care experienced.