An exciting opportunity has become available within the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Childrens Team (UASC Team) as a Young Persons Advisor. This is a temporary role for 12 months.
The Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Childrens Team (UASC Team) provide consistent specialist support, care and guidance for asylum seeking young people who have come to Durham under the National Transfer Scheme or have spontaneously arrived in the area. The team supports both Children Looked After and Care Leavers.
Young Peoples Advisers (YPA) within the team support young people transitioning towards leaving care and who have left care between the ages of 16 and 25.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
- As a YPA within the team, you will work closely with each young person, and a range of agencies such as the Home Office, housing, adult services, and education and training providers. Ensuring the young person is safeguarded and supported to achieve their goals and aspirations, including a home, education, training, or employment, financial independence, and strong social networks.
- You will gain an understanding of the asylum process, the potential outcomes of this and how to support young people with these outcomes.
- YPAs hold case responsibility for young people who are care leavers with varying levels of need.
- You will complete Pathway Needs Assessments alongside young people aged 18 -25 to assess their needs and plan for their future.
- You will ensure visits take place to young people and record the content of these visits accurately including the young persons views, any concerns, and the progress of their plan.
We encourage you to contact Nathan Head via email at
[email protected] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- Level 3 qualification in a relevant childrens services field or equivalent
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Significant experience of direct work with young people (teenagers) in a social care, health, education, housing or youth and community setting
- Able to form positive and effective working relationships with young people
- Have a person centred and non-discriminatory approach towards young people
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Our commitment to safeguarding
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Childrens Barred List and Adults Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity.
Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children, adults or both.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held 24th-26th June 2026.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the Person Specification section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email
[email protected]
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from
[email protected]. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you dont miss any updates.
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