Somerset Council
Leaving Care Worker
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Salary: Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 Hours a week
Closing date: 18/08/2026
About the Role
As a Leaving Care Worker, you will support young people aged 16+ who are in care or care-experienced, helping them prepare for adulthood and independent living. You’ll build positive, trusting relationships and provide consistent, trauma-informed support tailored to each young person’s needs, strengths, and aspirations.
As young people move into adulthood, you’ll act as their Personal Adviser, supporting them to set and achieve realistic goals around education, employment, housing, health, and wellbeing. Working alongside other professionals, you’ll help create and review clear Pathway Plans, advocate on their behalf, and ensure they can access the full care leaver offer. Your work will empower young people to build confidence, resilience, and a strong foundation for their future.
How You'll Make a Difference
- Support care-experienced young people (16–25) to develop independence, achieve their goals, and successfully transition into adulthood.
- Work with social workers, families, and partner agencies to plan and deliver personalized support around education, employment, housing, and life skills.
- Act as a Personal Adviser from age 18, providing guidance, advocacy, and practical support through regularly reviewed Pathway Plans.
- Build strong multi-agency partnerships to reduce barriers, improve outcomes, and ensure young people can access the support available to them.
- Deliver trauma-informed, relationship-based support that promotes resilience, wellbeing, and independence.
- Help young people secure suitable accommodation, manage finances, stay safe, and engage in education, training, employment, and community opportunities.
- Manage safeguarding and risk concerns, maintain accurate records, and work flexibly across Somerset, visiting young people in their homes or supported accommodation.
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What You'll Bring
- Understanding of child development, trauma, safeguarding, mental health, and leaving care legislation.
- Experience supporting care-experienced young people and promoting independence.
- Strong relationship-building, communication, advocacy, and partnership-working skills.
- Ability to assess needs, manage caseloads, and deliver effective, trauma-informed support.
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, and continuous professional development.
Why Join Us?
At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organization committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
- Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
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Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
Further Information
- 28 day’s annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
- We are happy to consider flexible working patterns – we work hard to sustain a good work-life balance and are passionate about maintaining a positive and supportive working culture.
- Based at our modern, refurbished County Hall offices in Taunton, and the option to work flexibly from home, with some travel required for meetings across sites.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Emma Hix at emma.hix@somerset.gov.uk
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
You can find a copy of the job description here: AG0995 Leaving Care Worker
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