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

Job Description

Social Worker – Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Team\n
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Location: Birmingham – One Avenue, Aston, B6 4DU\n
Employer: Birmingham City Council\n
Rate of Pay: £33.30 per hour (Umbrella)\n
Contract: Initial 3-month contract\n
Hours: 36.5 hours per week\n
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 flexible office days per week\n
Team: Children's Services – Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)\n
Caseload: Approximately 16–20 cases\n

\n Recruitment Agency: Service Care Solutions\n
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About the Role\n
\nService Care Solutions is recruiting an experienced and passionate Children's Social Worker to join Birmingham City Council's Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Team, offering a competitive rate of £33.30 per hour Umbrella.\n
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\nThis is a fantastic opportunity to make a genuine difference to some of Birmingham's most vulnerable children and young people, supporting those who have arrived in the UK without a parent or carer.\n
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\nThe UASC Team is a dynamic, city-wide frontline service responsible for safeguarding unaccompanied children, responding to new arrivals, undertaking assessments, arranging suitable accommodation and supporting young people as they transition into adulthood.\n
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\nYou will join a supportive and developing service that promotes relationship-based practice, professional development and positive outcomes for children and young people aged 0–21.\n
Previous UASC experience is desirable but not essential. We are particularly interested in Social Workers with transferable experience from Children's Safeguarding, Children in Care, Leaving Care, Assessment and Intervention, or Exploitation Services.\n
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Key Responsibilities\n
\nAs a Social Worker within the UASC Team, your responsibilities will include:\n
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• Undertaking comprehensive assessments of need and risk for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
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• Contributing to age assessments and decision-making where a young person's age is disputed.
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• Arranging, monitoring and reviewing placements under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.
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• Developing and implementing care plans, pathway plans and safeguarding interventions.
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• Identifying and responding to risks involving child exploitation, trafficking, missing episodes and homelessness.
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• Supporting children and young people throughout the asylum process, ensuring their welfare and rights remain central to practice.
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• Working collaboratively with the Home Office, police, education providers, health professionals, legal representatives and voluntary organisations.
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• Supporting care-experienced young people as they prepare for independence and adulthood.
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• Providing ongoing support to eligible care leavers up to the age of 21.
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• Maintaining accurate case records and statutory documentation using the Eclipse case management system.
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• Promoting strengths-based, restorative and relationship-focused social work practice.
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Please note: This position does not involve court work.\n

\n Essential Requirements\n
\nTo be considered for this opportunity, applicants should demonstrate:\n
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• A recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, Diploma or equivalent).
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• Current registration with Social Work England.
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• Experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families in statutory social care settings.
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• Strong safeguarding, risk assessment and analytical skills.
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• An understanding of relevant children's legislation, including the Children Act 1989.
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• Confidence in managing complex situations and making informed professional decisions.
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• Excellent communication, advocacy, assessment and report-writing skills.
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• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
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• The ability to manage a varied caseload effectively within a fast-paced environment.
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Transferable Experience Welcomed\n
\nBirmingham City Council welcomes applications from Social Workers with experience in:\n
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• Children in Care / Looked After Children.
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• Leaving Care and Care Leavers Services.
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• Duty and Assessment / Assessment and Intervention.
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• Child Protection and Safeguarding.
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• MASH / Front Door Services.
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• Contextual Safeguarding and Exploitation.
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• Working with vulnerable adolescents and young adults.
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• Refugee, migrant or asylum-seeking services.
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You do not need to have previously worked within a UASC Team. Practitioners who can demonstrate strong assessment skills, professional curiosity, resilience and a commitment to supporting vulnerable young people are encouraged to apply.\n
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Working Arrangements and Team Information\n
\nThe service offers a supportive and flexible working environment, including:\n
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• Pay: £33.30 per hour Umbrella.
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• Hybrid working: 2 office-based days per week, with flexibility over which days.
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• Working hours: 36.5 hours per week.
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• Contract: Initial 3-month assignment.
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• Caseload: Approximately 16–20 cases.
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• Service coverage: Birmingham city-wide.
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• Team structure: 5 Team Managers overseeing Social Workers and Personal Advisers.
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• Supervision: Monthly reflective supervision.
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• Case management system: Eclipse, with online training available.
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• Mileage allowance: £0.45 per mile for eligible business mileage, excluding travel from home.
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• Additional hours: Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) arrangements available.
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• Part-time/job share: Subject to discussion.
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Why Join Birmingham's UASC Team?\n
\nThis is an exciting opportunity to become part of an ambitious and developing service dedicated to supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.\n
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\nYou will benefit from:\n
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• A supportive management structure that values reflective and strengths-based practice.
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• Monthly supervision with a coaching-focused approach.
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• Opportunities to develop specialist knowledge of UASC legislation, safeguarding and care planning.
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• An average caseload of 16–20.
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• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
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• The opportunity to work alongside experienced Social Workers, Personal Advisers and partner agencies.
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• A working environment that champions professional development, positive relationships and high-quality social work practice.
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Above all, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference to children and young people who have experienced significant uncertainty, trauma and adversity.\n
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Why Work with Service Care Solutions?\n
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\nAt Service Care Solutions, we specialise in connecting qualified Social Workers with rewarding opportunities across the UK.\n
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\nWhen you work with us, you can expect:\n
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• A dedicated recruitment consultant supporting you throughout your placement.
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• Access to temporary and permanent Social Work opportunities nationwide.
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• Regular communication and ongoing support throughout your assignment.
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• Assistance with applications, interviews and onboarding.
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• Opportunities across both Adults' and Children's Social Care.
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Referral Bonus Scheme – Earn Up to £200!\n
\nKnow someone who might be interested in this opportunity?\n
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\nService Care Solutions offers a referral scheme:\n
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• £200 referral bonus for successfully referring a Qualified Social Worker.
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• £50 referral bonus for successfully referring a non-qualified Social Care professional.
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Referral payments are subject to the terms and conditions of the Service Care Solutions referral scheme.\n
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\nEven if this particular role isn't right for you, I'd still love to hear from you. I recruit for temporary and permanent Social Work opportunities across Adults' and Children's Services throughout the UK.\n
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Apply Today!\n
\nIf you're an experienced Children's Social Worker looking for an exciting new challenge within Birmingham's UASC Team at £33.30 per hour Umbrella, I'd love to hear from you.\n
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\nWhether you already have UASC experience or bring transferable skills from another area of Children's Social Care, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.\n

\n Contact: Nik Froud\n
Associate Recruitment Consultant\n
Service Care Solutions\n
Email: \n
Telephone: 01772 208964\n
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\nSend your CV today or contact me directly to discuss this opportunity and other Social Work vacancies available nationwide.\n

\n Help make a difference to the lives of unaccompanied children and young people in Birmingham.