Social Worker – UASC Case Holding

Job Description

Job Title: Social Worker – UASC Case Holding
Specialism: Children’s Services
Location: East Kent, UK
Salary: Up to £38.00 Per Hour
Type: Ongoing / Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker to join a Children’s Services team supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children across East Kent. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified social work professional with specialist knowledge and experience of working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and complex cases.

The successful candidate will manage a complex caseload, contribute to high standards of professional practice, and work closely with key stakeholders including the Home Office, Police and voluntary organizations.

Perks and benefits

Specialist UASC Experience: Develop and apply specialist social work knowledge and experience while supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children with complex needs.

Professional Development: Access opportunities to maintain and develop professional knowledge through training courses, working groups, multi-agency forums and ongoing professional development.

Coaching and Mentoring: Support and develop other Social Workers, including colleagues undertaking post-qualifying training, while strengthening your own leadership and mentoring experience.

Professional Practice: Contribute to maintaining high standards of social work practice through supervision, case audits, reviews and quality assurance activity.

Multi-Agency Exposure: Work closely with key stakeholders including the Home Office, Police and voluntary organizations, developing valuable multi-agency working experience.

Court Experience: Gain experience of providing professional input and expertise in court proceedings involving high-profile and sensitive cases where required.

Student Development: Opportunity to act as a Practice Assessor and support student placements, contributing to the development of future social work professionals.

What you will do

Complex Case Management: Manage a caseload of complex and difficult cases, undertaking assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of appropriate interventions to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

UASC Casework: Manage cases involving unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, applying specialist knowledge and experience to support their needs and promote positive outcomes.

Professional Practice: Provide high-quality social work knowledge and expertise within the team, supporting consistent and effective professional practice.

Supervision and Support: Undertake staff supervision as directed and provide coaching and mentoring to Social Workers, including those undertaking post-qualifying training.

Quality Assurance: Contribute to case audits, reviews, supervision and other quality assurance activities to maintain high standards of practice.

Court Work: Attend court where appropriate and provide professional input and expertise in high-profile and sensitive cases.

Student Support: Act as a Practice Assessor to support student placements and contribute to the development of future social work professionals.

Multi-Agency Working: Work closely with key stakeholders, including the Home Office, Police and voluntary organizations, to support effective outcomes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Professional Development: Maintain awareness of changes in legislation, policies and practice and contribute to training, working groups and multi-agency forums where required.

What you will bring

• A Degree in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent.
• Current registration as a social worker with the appropriate professional body.
• Substantial and diverse experience of working with children and families.
• Experience of working with complex family situations within a statutory childcare setting.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
• Experience of providing consultation, mentoring and professional support to qualified social work staff or equivalent.
• Strong direct work skills with children and families.
• Ability to quality assure practice through supervision, case audit and review.
• Effective negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to assess performance and development needs of social work staff.
• High-level working knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy.
• Knowledge of child development and attachment theory.
• Understanding of adoption, fostering, disability, and children and families issues relevant to the work setting.
• Professional credibility, enthusiasm, flexibility and leadership skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practice.

Why East Kent

East Kent offers a diverse working environment with opportunities to support children and young people from a range of backgrounds. The area provides a varied setting for social work practice, with the role working closely with key statutory and voluntary partners to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Working with Ardent Social

At Ardent Social, we are passionate about connecting experienced social work professionals with high-quality opportunities across the UK. We pride ourselves on providing a transparent, supportive and professional recruitment experience tailored to your career goals and aspirations.

Apply now to take the next step in your social work career with Ardent Social.