Vacancy Details

Description

RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT / CHILDRENS & JOINT COMMISSIONING SERVICES

SOCIAL WORKER - UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM SEEKING CHILDREN (UASC)                          REF:  SR-102131   

Band: 10 – 12 £32,909 - £40,478 pa

12 Months Fixed Term Contract

37 hpw

Hartlepool is a vibrant and energetic town with growing prospects. As an authority we want to make Hartlepool the best it possibly can be and want dedicated, driven and committed staff to help us achieve that. We are currently also offering a retention payment to experienced Social Workers with no contractual tie in.

Hartlepool Through Care team are now seeking a qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England who has the potential but ideally some experience of working and supporting unaccompanied children as children in care.

The UK Border agency’s definition of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is children who are applying for asylum in their own right; separated from both parents; and are not being cared for by an adult, either in law or by custom. The statutory responsibility of Hartlepool Borough Council is then to assess and support them as children in our care. 

The national increase in the number of UASC is reflected in the number of unaccompanied children that Hartlepool Borough Council is also supporting and it is in this context that we are increasing our social work capacity.

The post will sit within the Through Care team which provides a comprehensive social work and PA service for the young people and children that we care for and support as care experienced young people. We are committed to providing high quality services to the children and young people that we care for and have cared for and offer an excellent working environment valuing supervision, training and opportunities for professional development.

Children Services in Hartlepool prioritises the wellbeing of staff through manageable caseloads, a highly supportive and visible management team, an excellent staff wellbeing at work offer and a very positive culture of support and development. We are especially proud of the support and guidance we offer newly qualified Social Workers.

A dedicated team of very experienced practitioners work very closely with the newly qualified Social Workers and Team Managers to ensure newly qualified Social Workers have the very best experience and finish their first year in practice highly skilled and full of confidence.  

Our most recent Ofsted ILAC inspection and focused visit judged us as being ‘good’ regarding the effectiveness of our safeguarding services and outcomes for children and young people and “outstanding” for services to Children In Our Care. In Hartlepool we take pride in the fact we have consistently promoted Social Workers from within the service to the role of Assistant Team Manager and Team Manager. This is testament to the commitment, dedication and faith we have in our staff team.

We are currently working a hybrid model allowing staff to work in the office and at home. You should possess or graduate this year with a social work qualification at a degree or diploma level (or equivalent). Hartlepool Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment measures, including an enhanced DBS barring list check and also need to be registered with Social Work England.

For further information please contact Lisa Cushlow, Head of Service for Children in Our Care and Care Leavers on 01429 523961

Closing date: Tuesday 13^th June 2023, midnight 

“Please note if you have received no response to your application within 3 weeks of the closing date please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion”.  

In order to apply for this vacancy, you must be able to supply the required answers to the following questions: