Service Lead, Care Leavers, Belonging & UASC

Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership; Stafford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council seeks an experienced Service Manager for Care Leavers, Belonging and Reunification and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). The role provides operational leadership for safe, person-centred support guiding young people toward independence and permanence.

You will oversee service delivery, drive improvements, collaborate with housing, education, health and legal partners, and manage budgets and risks to ensure high-quality practice across the service.

Qualifications

• Qualification and registered Social Worker is required.
• Substantial experience of managing teams within children's social care in a multi-agency environment.
• In-depth knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and national policy relating to care leavers.
• Significant understanding of statutory duties and guidance relating to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, including age assessment, transition planning and immigration-related considerations.
• Supervisory and management experience, including knowledge of relevant HR guidance and procedures.
• Experience of developing and monitoring performance frameworks, quality assurance activity and reporting processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Care Leaver and UASC services, ensuring young people receive effective support that promotes safety, stability, independence and positive life outcomes.
• Drive service improvement, quality assurance and performance management, using data, feedback and learning to continually enhance practice and service delivery.
• Work closely with partners including housing, education, health, legal services, the voluntary sector and other agencies to deliver joined-up support for young people.
• Oversee accommodation and transition planning, helping young people access safe, suitable housing and supporting successful moves into adulthood.
• Manage budgets, resources and operational risks effectively, ensuring services remain high quality, sustainable and compliant with statutory responsibilities.
• Champion the voice of young people, embedding participation and co-production in service development while promoting strong corporate parenting principles.

Education

Qualification and registered Social Worker

Substantial experience of managing teams within children's social care in a multi-agency environment

In-depth knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and national policy relating to care leavers

Significant understanding of statutory duties and guidance relating to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, including age assessment, transition planning and immigration-related considerations

Supervisory and management experience, including knowledge of HR guidance and procedures

Experience of developing and monitoring performance frameworks, quality assurance activity and reporting processes

Job description

Staffordshire County Council seeks an experienced Service Manager for Care Leavers, Belonging and Reunification and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). The role provides operational leadership for safe, person-centred support guiding young people toward independence and permanence.

You will oversee service delivery, drive improvements, collaborate with housing, education, health and legal partners, and manage budgets and risks to ensure high-quality practice across the service.