Social Work Assistant

Connect2Kent; Ashford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect2Kent is recruiting a Social Work Assistant to join Kent County Council's Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Service. You will support social workers and ensure young people access accommodation, education, healthcare and essential services, while coordinating National Transfer Scheme transfers with partner authorities.

The role focuses on practical and emotional support, safeguarding, and ensuring timely transitions for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults in social care, youth work, support work, education, or community settings.
• Understanding safeguarding principles and challenges faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
• Experience working in partnership with a range of agencies and professionals.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Social Workers in delivering services to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.
• Assist with coordination and administration of National Transfer Scheme (NTS) transfers.
• Liaise with receiving local authorities, placement providers, health professionals, education settings, and partner agencies.
• Complete direct work with young people to promote wellbeing, independence and engagement with services.
• Assist young people in accessing accommodation, healthcare appointments, education and community resources.
• Accompany young people to appointments, meetings and placements where required.
• Support gathering information for assessments, reviews and care planning.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and case notes per statutory and local requirements.
• Help identify safeguarding concerns and escalate to qualified Social Workers.
• Support transition and resettlement processes ensuring understanding of available support.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Experience with children/young people

Organisational and record-keeping

Flexible and proactive approach

Job description

Connect2Kent is the exclusive recruitment partner to Kent County Council, recruiting talented professionals into temporary and permanent opportunities across the county.

We are currently recruiting a Social Work Assistant to join Kent County Council's Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Service. This is a rewarding opportunity to support young people who have arrived in the UK without a parent or guardian, helping them access essential services, settle into their communities, and navigate key stages of their journey.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting Social Workers and assisting with National Transfer Scheme (NTS) movements, helping ensure that young people receive timely support and smooth transitions between local authorities.

The Role

As a Social Work Assistant within the UASC Service, you will work alongside Social Workers and partner agencies to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.

You will act as a key point of practical and emotional support, helping young people access accommodation, education, healthcare, and other essential services while ensuring their wellbeing remains at the centre of all interventions.

A significant part of the role will involve supporting the coordination of National Transfer Scheme (NTS) transfers, liaising with partner authorities and professionals to ensure young people experience a smooth and well-planned transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Social Workers in delivering services to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.
• Assist with the coordination and administration of National Transfer Scheme (NTS) transfers.
• Liaise with receiving local authorities, placement providers, health professionals, education settings, and other partner agencies.
• Complete direct work with young people to promote their wellbeing, independence, and engagement with services.
• Assist young people in accessing accommodation, healthcare appointments, education, and community resources.
• Accompany young people to appointments, meetings, and placements where required.
• Support the gathering of information for assessments, reviews, and care planning.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and case notes in line with statutory and local requirements.
• Help identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating issues appropriately to qualified Social Workers.
• Support young people through transition and resettlement processes, ensuring they understand available support and services.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate and organised individual who is passionate about supporting vulnerable young people.

• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults within a social care, youth work, support work, education, or community setting.
• An understanding of safeguarding principles and the challenges faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
• Experience working in partnership with a range of agencies and professionals.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills.
• A flexible and proactive approach to supporting young people from diverse backgrounds.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.

Connect2Kent is a trading style of Commercial Services Kent LTD - A company wholly owned by Kent County Council. Connect2Kent is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates