Personal Advisers and Pathway Planning

Personal advisors and Pathway planning

We currently have 6 personal advisors in our Leaving Care Team, each with their own specialist knowledge. We will try to match you to a personal advisor of your choice as much as we possibly can.

When you are seventeen and a half your social worker will arrange for your PA to meet with you to explain their role. Your PA will spend time getting to know you and take over supporting you when you are 18 years.

What will my Personal advisor (PA) do.

Your personal advisor is there to offer you support, advice, guidance, and assistance to help you develop your independence.

Ideally you should see your personal advisor face-to-face a minimum of once every two months, however visits can also be less than every two months or via phone or email if you request and should be specified in your pathway plan.

You will be able to ask to have support from your personal adviser up to the age of 25, this is to try to make sure care leavers receive similar support to young adults who live with their families. However, the amount of support that you receive from your personal adviser will depend on what you want and your circumstances. 

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 outlines the support you can expect from a personal advisor (PA), the support you can expect.

What is a pathway plan?

Every young person in care from the age of 16 years and up to 21 years must have a pathway plan, so you should by now be familiar with yours.

Your pathway should set out your support needs, views, wishes and feelings and future goals, and agree actions to meet those needs, develop your skills and abilities and achieve your goals.

Some of these actions will be for you to complete and some will be for your social worker, personal advisor, carer, key worker, or family members.

You are the most important person in this process as this is your plan, so it is important that you are involved in the process, and we review your pathway plan with you regularly so that it is kept up to date and maps your progress.

Extra support

Your leaving care team will consider with you what extra support you may need. You might, for example, need extra support because:

• you have special educational needs or a disability.
• you are a separated Child/young person your immigration status is unclear.
• you are in or leaving custody or you have had contact with the criminal justice system.
• you are a young parent.
• you are going through a difficult time in your personal life.

Personal Advisors

To find out more about our Personal Advisors, you can read more about them in the profiles below.

Andrew Blackwood

Support Worker - Leaving Care Team- specialism Custody and cultural awareness

I am pleased to introduce myself to you in this profile as one of the members of the Leaving Care Team in West Berkshire, my role is a Support Worker.

I have been working in the Leaving Care Team for eight years now, before joining the team I worked in the Fostering and adoption team in West Berkshire for ten years.

Before working for Children's services, I taught Outdoor Education at Colleges and schools. I enjoyed the challenges and excitement of training Young People outdoor activities skills in Sailing, Climbing, Canoeing, Hillwalking to name a few.

I still enjoy a wide variety of Activities and Outdoor sports; these interests have involved visiting and exploring a range of countries and places.

I have five children, all now adults, who advise me and try to keep me updated with technology, what is on trend and what is not "cool".

I work in the community, visiting homes and placements of young people to provide support to them and their carers wherever they are. My job is varied and flexible taking me to all over the country to cities, towns and villages. I support young people at the Home Office, college or workplace, in  court, custody or prison, hospital appointments. I am pleased to say that most of the time I get to see young people in homes or placements, enjoying clubs, award presentations and achievements.

Sometimes you might not get to see me, as I am helping and supporting professionals, agencies and carers meet your needs in the background. Helping the person who you have chosen to be your trusted adult is one of the ways we as a team support you.

I really enjoy my work and feel part of a compassionate and highly skilled team. If I do not know the answer to one of your question or situations, then I will find someone who will in our team, the professionals we work with, or national forums and networks.

I look forward to working with you on your Journey into Adult life as you Leave Care with support, guidance, and advice from the Team here at West Berkshire.

Andy

Clair Stagg

Specialism - early intervention- parenting support

Hello, my name is Clair, and I will be your new Personal Advisor from the 16 Plus & Leaving Care Team.

My role will be to support and guide you in several areas such as your Housing, Health, Relationships and Employment or Education.  

I know some things about you, so I feel I only fair for you know some things about me.

I have been working with young people for over 20 years, I started my career as a residential childcare office, and then intervention worker, before becoming a Personal Advisor for West Berkshire Council.

I enjoy socialising and being with my friends and family, and I really enjoy walking my dog, Roxy.

I am looking forward to meeting you and being your Personal Advisor. I hope we can develop a relationship based on trust. I will be honest and open with you but may also challenge you at times if I think it has your best interest at heart. 

I look forward to meeting and getting to know you.

Clair Stagg

Coleen Burke

Specialism - Drug and alcohol support

Hello, my name is Coleen Burke, and I am pleased to be your new personal advisor.

I work in the 16+ and Leaving Care Team. I am here to support with your transition to independence.

I know some things about you, so it is only fair for you know some things about me.

I am quite new to the team and joined this year. Previously I have worked in other roles in West Berkshire supporting young people.

I love watching football and most other sports. I like spending time with my family and friends.

I enjoy shopping and I particularly love handbags and shoes. I love to travel when I can.

I am looking forward to meeting you and being your personal advisor. I hope we can build a good, positive relationship based on trust and honesty. I will always try and be honest and open with you and will always have your best interests as my priority.

Coleen :-)

Lauren Hayward

Specialism- Universal credits- Benefits

Hey! My name is Lauren Hayward, and I will be working with you as your Personal Adviser. Turning eighteen and becoming an adult can be scary but I am here to guide and advise you where possible, so do not panic, you are not alone!

I have worked as a PA (to be short) for 3 years. I started on a contract in 2019 which went permanent in March 2022, I really worked hard to get the permanent position because I genuinely love doing what I do, which I have noticed makes an enormous difference to those I am supporting. I love to make a positive difference in someone's life if I can.

I have recently got a Border Collie Puppy, she is now 7 months and so much fun and I have a cat who is honestly, just like a human! So, you can say I love animals, all though, I am slightly scared of horses and the ones that are bigger than me (which is not difficult as I am only 5ft tall). I have recently converted a van into a camper and enjoy travelling around, I am not one for posh hotels and dinners - give me a tent, sleeping bag and a BBQ any day! I struggle to sit down for long, I am always on the go. I like to go the gym and dog walks. My favourite thing is hopping in the van and heading somewhere out in the sticks! I do not like overly busy places, cleaning the bin and I am really scared of spiders. I wish I could say I loved music, but I can drive long distance without even realising the music is off but on the other hand, I love a good catchy song I can sing my heart out (cover your ears)!

I feel I can adapt to most situations, and I have been told I am a down to earth person. I love to have fun and besides speaking about formal/serious stuff I will really enjoy getting to know you, what you like/dislike and how you like to engage with me so I can ensure I make you feel comfortable. I will always be open and honest, and I will always encourage you to be as independent as you can be.

I am so excited to meet you and getting to know you and I hope you feel the same!

Lauren :-)

Nathan Bray

Specialism - Participation and Engagement - Health and Fitness

Hello my name is Nathan, I am a new Personal Advisor in the 16 Plus & Leaving Care Team.

My role will be to support and guide you in a number of areas such as your Housing, Health, Relationships and Employment or Education.

I know some things about you, so I feel I only fair for you know some things about me.

I have been working with young people for over 20 years, I started my career teaching Outdoor Education, I then worked in Youth Work before becoming a Personal Advisor for West Berkshire Council.

I enjoy playing lots of different sports like football, swimming, and basketball. I am also up for an adventure and enjoy water sports like Kayaking & Paddle-boarding.  I also love to climb mountains and have recently got my children up for coming along on a hike with me too.

I am looking forward to meeting you and being your Personal Advisor. I hope we can develop a relationship based on trust. I will be honest and open with you but may also challenge you at times if it has your best interest at heart. 

I look forward to meeting and getting to know you.

Nathan Bray

Sian Bruce

Specialist knowledge- child development- SEND

Hi, I am Sian (pronounced Sharne!).

That is a pic of my face, so you know who to look out for when we meet the first time :)

I have the pleasure of becoming your Personal Advisor now that you are turning/ have turned 18 years old, welcome to the adult world!

I am here to help, support, and guide you in the right direction for you to achieve the best possible outcomes going forward.

So, a little bit about me!

I have been a PA now for 7 years, and absolutely love my job, and working with the young people and team around me. As you can understand, every day is different with my role, I love the variety it brings.

I prefer being out and about, meeting my young people, than being in the office!

I am quite a laid-back person, and love to have a bit of banter with my young people. I like the young people I work with to know they can confide in me and trust me but also know I will be honest and open with them whether it is what they want to hear or not.

I really look forward to meeting with you :)

Sian x