Assistant Team Manager (Refugee Team)

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL; Fareham; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an Assistant Team Manager for its Refugee Team in Fareham. This vital role focuses on supporting unaccompanied minors and ensuring their safety and stability in the UK. Responsibilities include overseeing social care assessments, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. Candidates should be qualified social workers with extensive experience and strong leadership skills. This hybrid position offers a competitive salary range of £48,993 - £53,427 per annum and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Ongoing professional development

Flexible working options

Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Significant frontline statutory social work experience, particularly in Children & Families services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding principles and legislation.
• Experience in producing analytical reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and support practitioners in assessing social care needs.
• Involved in the child's end-to-end journey, from arrival to care planning.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders to improve service delivery.

Skills

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Decision-Making

Resilience

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

Job Details :

Job Reference : HCC622929

Salary Range : £48,993 - £53,427 pro-rata, per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £8,350 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary for part-time role £39,723 - £43,318 per annum)

Work Location : The Parkway, Fareham (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week : 37 or 30

Contract Type : Permanent

Closing Date : 4 January 2026

Interview Date : 15 January 2026

The Role :

As an Assistant Team Manager in our Refugee Team , you’ll play a vital role in supporting separated children, unaccompanied minors, care leavers, and families with No Recourse to Public Funds as they seek safety and stability in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to work within a service that supports young people through their entire journey – from arrival and initial assessments of age, risk, and trafficking, through navigating the asylum process, to helping them transition into independence.

You’ll work closely with the Team Manager and practitioners to deliver a service that makes a real difference to the lives of children and young people, empowering them to feel safe, supported, and ready to build a new life in the UK.

What you’ll do :

• Oversee and support practitioners in assessing, monitoring, and reviewing social care needs, ensuring services meet the highest standards.
• Be involved in the child’s end-to-end journey, from their arrival in the UK through critical assessments and care planning.
• Work creatively to reunite children with family and friends already in the UK, while maintaining strong links with parents abroad.
• Collaborate with carers, relatives, and partner agencies to shape future service delivery and contribute to ongoing improvements.
• Embed child-centred practice and contextual safeguarding in all decision-making.

What we’re looking for :

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant frontline statutory social work experience, including senior-level practice within Children & Families services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding principles and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Skilled in decision-making and producing clear, analytical reports.
• Resilient, adaptable, and committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred services.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Assistant Team Manager role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Be part of an innovative, supportive team making a real difference to vulnerable children and families.
• Access to ongoing professional development and post-qualifying training.
• Flexible working options and a strong commitment to staff wellbeing.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24 / 7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more informationhere.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Important : You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other job titles you may be searching for : Senior Social Worker, Deputy Team Manager, Social Work Supervisor, Assistant Manager – Children’s Services, Social Work Team Leader.

Travel Requirements

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information :

Assistant Team Manager (Refugee Team) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion :

For general enquiries, please contact [e-mail]

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Natasha Phillpott, Team Manager on [e-mail]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.