Leaving Care Worker

Leaving Care Worker

Salary: £29,542 - £33,119 per annum.

Hours: Part-time, 29.5 hours per week.

Contract: Fixed-term contract for 12 months.

Location: County Hall, Taunton, with travel across the county.

Closing date: 15/11/2026

Role Purpose

The Leaving Care Worker plays a vital role in supporting young people aged 16 and over

who are currently in care or have previously been in the care of Somerset Council. You’ll work closely with each young person and other professionals to understand what kind of support they need, looking at all areas of their life.

You’ll support a group of care leavers, offering them personal support and acting as their

Personal Adviser once they turn 18. This includes working with social workers and other

agencies to create and review Pathway Plans.

You’ll use different tools to assess each young person’s needs and deliver support that

helps them make positive changes in their emotions, attitudes, and behaviours. This

includes helping them stay safe and healthy—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

The purpose of the role is to work directly with these young people as they begin the transition

toward adulthood, helping them to build the confidence, skills, and stability they need to

live independently. This involves forming strong, trust-based relationships and providing

consistent, trauma-informed support that recognises each young person’s individual

experiences, needs, and aspirations.

You’ll be part of a wider team that shares responsibility for supporting care leavers, and

you’ll regularly take part in reflective supervision to review your practice, share learning,

and ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Much of the work takes place where care leavers live, which means you’ll often be visiting

them in their homes or supported accommodation. This can involve extensive travel

across Somerset and sometimes beyond, so flexibility and a willingness to travel are

essential parts of the role.

This is a part-time role where hours can be worked flexibly, with Fridays being a fixed working day.

Key responsibilities

• Support young people 16-25 who are, or have been, in the care of Somerset Council.
• Work alongside social workers to help young people plan for adulthood.
• At 18, assume the role of their personal advisor, continuing to support young people in setting and achieving personal goals.
• Liaise with the young person, their family, carers, social worker and other relevant multi-agency professionals in co-developing and reviewing Pathway Plans with and for young people.
• Support young people in finding suitable housing, whether they’re leaving their foster home, moving out of supported accommodation, or facing homelessness.

What you’ll bring

• Direct experience working with young people aged 16-25.
• Proven ability to engage and build trusting relationships with young people who may present with complex needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs of care-experienced young people, including mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma informed practice, attachment theory, and child and adolescent development.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Experience in and understanding of the collaborative nature of multi-agency working.

About the team

Our Leaving Care Team is a friendly, experienced, and supportive group of professionals who are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for young people. We are proud of our strong team culture and excellent staff retention, with vacancies arising only occasionally through career progression, development opportunities, or service expansion. As a small team, we work closely together, building strong professional relationships and providing consistent support to one another. This creates a welcoming and collaborative environment where everyone is valued and able to make a meaningful contribution. At the same time, we benefit from being part of a larger West service, providing access to a wider network of colleagues, shared expertise, and broader development opportunities. Above all, we are a great bunch who work hard, support one another, and genuinely enjoy making a difference in the lives of young people.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation 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 generous 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.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Additional information

• This is a part-time role working 29.5 hours per week.
• 28 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
• This role can involve extensive travel, so flexibility and a willingness to travel are essential for this role.
• This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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 chat about the role, you can contact April Wilton – Team Leader Leaving Care West 1, via email at april.wilton@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.pdf