Social Worker – Care Leavers

Birmingham Children’s Trust
Service: 18+ / Leaving Care
Age Range: 18–25 years

About the Role

Birmingham Children’s Trust is looking for an experienced Social Worker / Personal Adviser to provide a statutory service to children in care and care leavers aged 18–25.

The role will focus on supporting eligible, relevant, former relevant and qualifying care leavers as they transition from care into adulthood and independent living.

You will manage your own caseload, complete and review Pathway Plans, provide direct support and coordinate services to help young people achieve positive outcomes across accommodation, education, employment, finances, health and independent living.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated caseload of care leavers aged 18–25.

• Provide a statutory social work service in line with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

• Complete, coordinate and regularly review Pathway Plans.

• Support young people to prepare for and successfully transition into independent adulthood.

• Undertake assessments and develop individual plans based on the young person's needs.

• Provide direct work, advice and practical support to care leavers.

• Promote young people's participation and ensure their views and wishes inform planning.

• Support young people with accommodation, education, employment, benefits, finances and access to services.

• Work with young people with continuing care needs and coordinate appropriate support.

• Liaise with social workers, carers, families and partner agencies to ensure effective services are provided.

• Participate in duty and referral work, responding to emerging needs.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic and paper case records.

• Ensure young people receive their statutory entitlements and appropriate services.

• Work collaboratively with other agencies to promote positive outcomes and successful transitions.

• Contribute to the development and improvement of 18+ / Leaving Care services.

• Participate in supervision, training and relevant service development activities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Qualified Social Worker with relevant professional registration.

• Experience working with children in care and/or care leavers.

• Knowledge of leaving care legislation, statutory duties and Pathway Planning.

• Experience managing a caseload and undertaking assessments and direct work.

• Understanding of the challenges faced by young people transitioning from care to adulthood.

• Experience working with partner agencies and coordinating multi-agency support.

• Strong recording, assessment, planning and report-writing skills.

• Ability to work in a young-person-centred, strengths-based and anti-discriminatory way.

• Good knowledge of accommodation, education, employment, benefits and support services relevant to care leavers.

• Ability to work flexibly and respond to the needs of young people.

 Additional Requirements

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

• Willingness to undertake relevant training and professional development.

• Ability to work flexible hours where required to meet service-user needs.

• This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.