Personal Advisor (PA)
When you turn 16, your new Personal Advisor will talk to you and other people who are important to you to find out more about you and what your needs are. They will help you to think about your future – what you are studying, what you want to do in the future and your independence skills.
What is a Personal Adviser supposed to do?
1. To provide you with advice (including practical advice) and support
Your Personal Advisor (PA) will build and develop a network of support for you, as your needs change as time goes on. The extent to which your PA is your main source of advice and support will depend on your individual circumstances and how much support may be available to you from other people, e.g., foster carers, befrienders, independent visitors, mentors, specialist-care workers and family networks. The nature and source of advice and support you should receive be agreed and recorded in your Pathway Plan.
Your PA should be your main point of contact in any matter relating to your Pathway Plan.
2. To be involved in assessing your needs and preparing a plan to meet them (Pathway Plan)
Your PA will have a key role in the assessment and pathway planning process, although your Social Worker may work very closely with your PA on this . Your Personal Adviser's role should be to make sure that your pathway plan is realistic and deliverable whilst meeting all of your needs.
When you leave care, it is likely that your Personal Adviser will take over responsibility for updating and reviewing your Pathway Plan.
3. To be involved in reviewing of your Pathway Plan
Your Pathway Plan should be reviewed at least every six months until you are 21 (or older if you are on an agreed education or training course). Your Personal Adviser has responsibility for agreeing any changes to your Pathway Plan. Your Personal Advisor will arrange your review meetings, linking with other organisations where needed.
4. To make sure that the things in your Pathway Plan are acted upon
Your PA should monitor the progress made against your Pathway Plan, regularly asking your how you feel about things.
5. To make sure that the agencies that promised to help you acheive your pathway plan are keeping their promises, and helping you to access all necessary services.
Your PA is to act as a broker to ensure that:
- the range of services identified in the Pathway Plan is agreed by those responsible for the services
- services are provided at the right time, and
- agencies understand their respective contribution.
Your PA will fully involve you in making and reviewing your Pathway Plan.
6. To make sure that they are aware of yourprogress and well-being
Your PA will monitor your progress through regular contact with you and also asking those agencies and individuals who are supporting you.
7. To keep written records of contact made with you.
8. To keep in touch with you
To keep in touch with you up to the age of 21 (or beyond if you are attending an approved programme of education or training).
If you and your PA lose touch, your PA should take reasonable steps to re-establish contact with you until they succeed in regaining contact you.
Your PA should be proactive in expressing interest and concern in issues that effect you..
Your PA will need to judge the appropriate degree of contact with you.
Your PA should respect your wishes whilst adopting the spirit of the 'good parent' and continuing to convey an interest in your well being.
