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- Tasks: Support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and ensure their voices are heard.
- Company: Kent County Council, recognised for outstanding social work practice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, training, and relocation packages.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Registered social worker with Social Work England and a Full UK Driving Licence.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for national networking and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 45800 £ per year.
Overview
Kent County Council\’s Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) Children\’s Service provides accommodation and support to newly arrived unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Kent. The Service leads on social work practice with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Kent, which Ofsted recognises as Outstanding. The Service is developing as a centre of excellence for social work practice nationally and we are seeking passionate social workers to join us on this journey. This is an opportunity to work in a Service where you will be responding to newly arrived unaccompanied asylum-seeking children; you will support them on the start of the journey in the UK and ensure that their voice is heard. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Service\’s social work teams that respond to children when they first arrive at Dover. These teams complete initial assessments with children before placing them in local authority accommodation.
Team and working pattern
The nature of the work requires two teams, one working 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and another 1:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Monday to Friday. This post relates to the team working 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Role development and responsibilities
We support our Senior Practitioner to ensure they have the resources they need to make a difference where it counts; as a social worker in the service, you will have the opportunity to enhance and develop your social work knowledge and skills. We are also invested in supporting you to progress in your career; there are opportunities to apply your skills to a variety of scenarios and use your social worker theories and tools to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable children. You will have the opportunity to consider your career progression, working in the UAS children\’s service will allow you to manage a complex case load, supervise social worker assistants and have the opportunity to act as a duty senior to enhance your management skills. You will develop skills in age assessments, working with children in care, managing child protection concerns and interagency working with key partners. As a senior practitioner in the service, you will work across Kent, and will also have the opportunity to work nationally across the UK both with other Local Authorities under the National Transfer Scheme. In addition, you could be part of exploring family that our young persons have in the UK and consider family reunification\’s and whether these are viable; thus allowing you to network nationally as part of your role.
Requirements
We support our social workers to ensure they have the resources they need to make a difference where it counts. Kent is the ideal place to progress your career. You will also receive the excellent training and all the great benefits that come with working for Kent County Council. This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Requirements (professional)
Registered as a social worker with Social Work England. This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability. Our Offer includes the following benefits:
Offer and benefits
- Full induction
- Manageable caseloads
- A minimum of 5 day\’s training each year
- Basic salary of between £45,672 and £51,489
- Annual leave allowance of 30 days (plus bank holidays and an extra day off at Christmas)
- Up to £2,000 car market premium
- £3,000 annual market premium
- £3,000 golden hello (welcome) payment
- Relocation packages up to £8,000
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Opportunities to develop in your career
- The opportunity to develop knowledge in niche areas of social work and expand your knowledge and skills of working with children seeking asylum
- This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
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practitioner employer: Kent County Council
Contact Detail:
Kent County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of Kent County Council on LinkedIn. They can give you the inside scoop on what it's really like to work in the UAS Children's Service and might even refer you for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of social work practices, especially those related to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. We recommend having some real-life examples ready to showcase your skills and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! When you get the chance to speak with the hiring team, let them know why you're excited about working with vulnerable children and how you can contribute to their journey in the UK. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Kent County Council team.
We think you need these skills to ace practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work and supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children shine through. We want to see why you care about this role and how you can make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how your background fits with our mission at Kent County Council!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate when candidates communicate effectively, as it reflects the skills needed for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Brush up on relevant legislation, social work theories, and best practices. This will show your passion and commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in social work, especially those that relate to vulnerable children or complex case management. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've made an impact in similar situations.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the service. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how they measure success in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your motivations for wanting to work in this field and how you can contribute to the team. Let your passion for social work shine through!