Team Manager - UASC and Pathways

Opus People Solutions Limited; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Shropshire Council in Shrewsbury is seeking an experienced Team Manager to lead the UASC & Pathways Service, guiding social workers caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people aged 16-18. You will oversee practice quality, risk management, and complex decision-making in a challenging environment.

The role prioritises statutory oversight, safeguarding, and effective pathway planning, with office-based one day per week and a 37-hour week.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Care Planning Regulations.
• Looked After Children processes knowledge.
• Pathway Planning and Leaving Care legislation knowledge.
• Age assessments and immigration-related considerations affecting UASC young people.
• Safeguarding and risk management practices awareness.
• Ability to provide robust case oversight and quality assurance.
• Experience chairing multi-agency meetings and making complex management decisions.
• Social Work England registration.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise a team of 7 Social Workers, ensuring statutory supervision takes place every 4 weeks.
• Provide clear management oversight across all cases within the UASC and Pathways Service.
• Chair multi-agency meetings relating to permanence planning, pathway planning, safeguarding, and risk management.
• Quality assure assessments, pathway plans, reviews, and statutory documentation in a timely manner.
• Monitor team performance and attend weekly performance meetings to review data, address outstanding actions, and drive service improvement.
• Act as Duty Manager for the CLA and UASC Service, providing management cover during annual leave and sickness periods.
• Support staff with complex decision-making, risk management, and permanency planning.
• Ensure statutory responsibilities are met for looked-after children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

Skills

Team supervision

Management decisions

Multi-agency meetings

Quality assurance

Risk management

Safeguarding

UASC knowledge

Education

Social Work England registration

Job description

About the Role

Are you an experienced Team Manager with a strong background in Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services? Shropshire Council are seeking a skilled and passionate leader to manage a dedicated UASC & Pathways Team, supporting vulnerable young people aged 16-18 as they progress towards independence. This is an excellent opportunity for a Manager who can provide strong oversight, ensure high-quality practice, and confidently lead social workers supporting young people with complex immigration, safeguarding, and care planning needs.

• Monthly face-to-face team meetings
• Monthly face-to-face management meetings
• Quarterly Director Assurance meetings held in person
• Additional travel may be required for:
• Chairing meetings
• Court attendance
• Joint family visits with Social Workers
• Service and case-related responsibilities
• Location: Mount McKinley House, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LG
• Rate: £41.42 per hour (Umbrella rate)
• Contract: Temporary
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Office Requirements: Office based one day per week

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise a team of 7 Social Workers, ensuring statutory supervision takes place every 4 weeks.
• Provide clear management oversight across all cases within the UASC and Pathways Service.
• Chair multi-agency meetings relating to permanence planning, pathway planning, safeguarding, and risk management.
• Quality assure assessments, pathway plans, reviews, and statutory documentation in a timely manner.
• Monitor team performance and attend weekly performance meetings to review data, address outstanding actions, and drive service improvement.
• Act as Duty Manager for the CLA and UASC Service, providing management cover during annual leave and sickness periods.
• Support staff with complex decision-making, risk management, and permanency planning.
• Ensure statutory responsibilities are met for looked-after children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

About You

Have a strong knowledge of:

• Care Planning Regulations
• Looked After Children processes
• Pathway Planning and Leaving Care legislation
• Age assessments and immigration-related considerations affecting UASC young people
• Safeguarding and risk management practices
• Ability to provide robust case oversight and quality assurance
• Experience chairing multi-agency meetings and making complex management decisions
• Social Work England registered
• Full UK Driving Licence

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people and care leavers, leading a committed team through complex and rewarding work. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have a proven track record within UASC services and can bring strong leadership, practice expertise, and statutory knowledge to the team.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. A DBS check may be applicable for this role, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules.