Surrey County Council
Personal Advisor
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Job Title
This full-time, permanent position has a starting salary of £38,090 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.
We are excited to be recruiting a new Personal Advisor to join our fantastic Asylum Care Leavers Team based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate.
We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average and support working from home the rest of the time.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About The Role
As a Personal Advisor (PA), you will support a group of care‑experienced young people with high levels of risk and complexity, and contribute to the assessment and development of Pathway Plans for those who are eligible. The Pathway Plan sets out each young person’s aspirations in relation to education, accommodation, health, social relationships, and any identified needs. As this role focuses on work with unaccompanied asylum‑seeking young people, this will include consideration of how their immigration status may impact on these areas, alongside comprehensive triple track planning.
Working closely with the Team Manager and wider team, you will make an active contribution to a shared ambition of creating the conditions for young people to succeed, while supporting the ongoing development and effectiveness of the service. You may also represent the Leaving Care Service at partnership forums, including participation events.
In addition, you will be responsible for chairing and leading Pathway Plan reviews in line with statutory requirements, including liaising with and co‑ordinating partner agencies to support care‑experienced young people.
As a PA you will be able to recommend services that the local authority maybe required to pay for, and while you would hold no direct budget responsibilities, you would be required to have an understanding of the finance policy. Alongside your caseload, you will be required to carry out duty on a rota basis.
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Your key responsibilities as a Personal Advisor will include:
- Building and maintaining meaningful relationships with young people through regular face to face visits, ensuring their needs, views and aspirations remain central to planning and decision making
- Completing Pathway Plan reviews in line with statutory requirements, ensuring plans are regularly updated to reflect each young person’s changing circumstances, goals and support needs
- Liaising with and co‑ordinating internal colleagues and external partner agencies to provide a joined‑up, holistic approach to supporting young people
- Attending and actively contributing to team meetings and a range of multi‑agency and professional meetings, representing the Leaving Care Service
In this role, you will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of Surrey’s care‑experienced young people, supporting them to navigate complex circumstances and achieve their aspirations as they transition into adulthood. Your work will directly contribute to improving outcomes across key areas including education, accommodation, health and emotional wellbeing.
You will play a central role in supporting unaccompanied asylum‑seeking young people through the asylum process, helping them to understand their immigration status, rights and entitlements. Working within statutory frameworks and service expectations, you will represent the Leaving Care Service in a range of settings, ensuring that the voice and needs of care leavers are heard and advocated for effectively.
You will also work closely with internal colleagues and external partner agencies to develop a holistic understanding of each young person’s circumstances. This collaborative approach will enable you to co‑ordinate tailored support that responds to individual needs, promotes stability, and maximises opportunities for positive, sustainable outcomes.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships with young people, including those who may be disengaged or difficult to engage
- An awareness of current issues affecting socially excluded young people, including those seeking asylum and/or subject to immigration control
- A good working knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Children Act 1989, Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and Children and Social Work Act 2017, and Immigration legislation
- The ability to produce high‑quality written work in line with departmental standards, ensuring reports are clear, well‑structured, evidence‑based, and compliant
- Knowledge of housing legislation, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, and current immigration policy
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An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 07.09.2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey Handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Benjamin Selsby by email at ben.selsby@sureycc.gov.uk.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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