Leaving Care Worker

**Why should I choose Somerset Council?**
Good question.

Well, for a start, we’re a hugely ambitious council, committed to improving lives for the residents, communities and businesses of Somerset.

And that’s why we’re working so hard to build a sustainable organisation with a culture that rewards, values and recognises our staff, and gives everyone here the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and professionally.

If you’re looking for a place where you work truly matters - where YOU truly matter - we might be just right for you.

We also promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.

An exciting opportunity has become available for a **Leaving Care Worker** in the Shepton Mallet (Mendip) area. The role involves supporting young people who are leaving and have left the care system.

Our workers are engaged in preparation and planning for adulthood from age 16, taking on the statutory function of Personal Adviser for those over 18 potentially to age 25, taking the lead role in delivering and coordinating services to ensure a smooth transition into independent living.

**What will I be doing?**
We’re working to improve the lives of young people here in Somerset - and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve balancing direct contact with young people alongside multi-agency working, recording, conducting assessments and writing plans. It can be challenging and emotionally demanding but is also rewarding.

**What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?**
We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you are a personable, motivated self-starter with a desire to work successfully within a high performing team. You’ll be inquisitive, keen to learn new skills, attentive and enjoy working within process and guidelines.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

For this role, you’ll need:

- Significant experience of direct working with older teenagers/young adults who are, or have been, in a care setting and/or young people with complex needs and challenging behaviour.
- A full understanding of child development, the needs of young people who are, or have been, in care and come from another culture. Knowledge of Child Care and Leaving Care legislation and an understanding of safeguarding issues for children and young adults Knowledge and understanding of assessment and planning processes for young people.
- A good level of communication, advocacy and presentation skills to enable engagement with a wide range of young people, their families, colleagues and other agencies. Skills in engaging and influencing young people some of whom may be challenging and / or resistant to intervention.
- An ability to manage conflicting priorities, crises and some stressful work.
- Sound recording skills and an ability to write good quality, concise reports and plans that include analysis, and are SMART.
- A good all round standard of education to at least 5 GCSEs at Grade C/Level 4 and above or equivalent. Vocational qualification (or acquired knowledge) equivalent to Level 3 Qualification Credit Framework Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.

To understand, uphold and promote;
- The aims of the Council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies
- Health, safety and wellbeing of self and others Somerset Council's Organisational Values and behaviours

You will need to be able to travel across the County and sometimes further as many of the young people live at distance from Somerset.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

**What will I be offered in return?**
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offerin