Social Worker - Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children’s Team (UASC)

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Dorchester is looking for passionate social workers to support unaccompanied children in care. The role involves delivering statutory responsibilities, collaborating with multi-agency partners, and advocating for children's needs, with a focus on their health, education, and emotional stability. A Social Work qualification, registration with Social Work England, and willingness to travel are essential. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable children.

Qualifications

• Must be registered with Social Work England.
• Ability to fulfill significant travel requirements.
• Experience in working with unaccompanied young people (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Deliver full statutory responsibilities for Children in Care.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners to assess children’s needs.
• Support children's asylum applications in collaboration with legal services.

Skills

Effective communication

Creative problem solving

Reflective thinking

Adaptability

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

This is an exciting time to be joining Dorset Council, we are investing and strengthening our service to meet the needs of all unaccompanied children in and beyond our care. A new, dedicated team of Social Workers and Personal Advisers is being created. This opportunity is now available for social workers who are interested and passionate about offering the best service to unaccompanied children.

Social workers will support children to receive a warm Dorset welcome, as they come into our care. Settling into homes where they can be offered the stability, care, and safety they need to adjust to living in the UK, develop their skills and transition into adulthood.

You will deliver the full range of statutory responsibilities for Children in Care, under the Children Act 1989, as well as working within the Leaving Care Act 2000 and alongside Personal Advisors, when a child reaches 16.

You will be working collaboratively with multi agency partners to identify and assess each child’s needs and reflect these and their individual strengths and aspirations within all aspects of care planning. There will be a particular focus on their health, education, and social needs, which will include supporting cultural links within communities and advocating for them to receive the best care and support.

You will be aiming to achieve permanence for our children ensuring triple planning is started early and clear to our children and those supporting them. In this role you will work closely with our legal service and the Home Office to progress our children’s asylum applications promptly.

About You

• You will have a Social Work qualification, be registered with Social Work England and be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post. This post has a significant travel requirement, both locally and nationally, and you are contractually required to have a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the council) available for use as required.
• You will need experience of working to meet competing demands and be able to adapt to changing situations and respond appropriately.
• You will need to be an effective communicator, be creative in your work and use reflective thinking to inform your practice.
• Experience in working with unaccompanied young people is desirable but not essential.
• Due to the current need, applications can only be accepted from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK.