Staying Close Advisor

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX, hybrid working
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term/Secondment, externally funded by Department of Education for 12 months

We are passionate about improving the future for our young people. If you are too, join us as a Staying Close Advisor and make a meaningful impact.

Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving.

Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a real difference.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

Working closely with young people leaving care, and the professionals who support them, you will play a key role in helping them navigate their transition into adulthood. You will take a flexible, creative and relationship-based approach, recognising the importance of building trusted, meaningful connections.

No two days are the same. You may spend time meeting with young people and providing one-to-one support, as well as working behind the scenes to coordinate services, liaise with partner agencies, and contribute to or lead planning meetings.

You will share our commitment to improving outcomes for young people leaving care and will be able to:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people and partner agencies.
• Work both independently and collaboratively within a supportive team.
• Encourage young people to engage with opportunities that develop their skills, confidence and independence.
• Support effective planning for transitions from care alongside young people and professionals.
• Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality case records.
• Coordinate support from a range of partner agencies.
• Chair meetings confidently and professionally.
• Contribute to team discussions and ongoing service development.

What you will need

We are looking for someone who can build and maintain professional, positive relationships with young people and their networks, with experience of doing so in practice.

You will be well organised, able to manage competing priorities, and confident in meeting deadlines.

Strong communication skills are essential. You will be comfortable engaging with young people, their families or networks, and professionals across a range of services.

You will also be:

• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative in your approach to problem-solving.
• Motivated to learn and develop.
• Able to bring transferable skills and a fresh perspective.

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

We are a small, friendly and supportive team working across Suffolk. We regularly connect both virtually and in person, creating a strong sense of collaboration and shared purpose.

We are passionate about reducing the “cliff edge” that young people can experience when leaving care. By listening to their wishes and feelings, we support them to plan for independence and work with partners to coordinate support for a positive transition into adulthood.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Hannah Beeton for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473260121 or emailing: ***email_hidden***

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word) .

• Give an example of how you have built positive relationships with children, young people or families to understand what is important to them.
• Give an example of how you have worked in partnership with other professionals or agencies. What was your role and how did you ensure effective collaboration?
• Provide an example of how you have contributed to safeguarding and managing risk. What actions did you take to ensure safety?
• Describe a time when you had to adapt your approach or be creative to meet the needs of a child, young person or family. What did you do differently and why?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing [email protected] or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 29 June 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).