At a Glance
- Tasks: Support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and help them build their lives in the UK.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives and gain invaluable experience in social work.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience with UASC children required.
The predicted salary is between 46110 - 50079 € per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Salary: £46,110 - £50,079 (inclusive of market premia at £2,250) per annum (pro rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 18.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 21st May 2026
Interview Date(s): TBC
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has become available in the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children’s Team. Working in the UASC Team gives you a chance to support young people who have faced the trauma of war, exploitation, smuggling and trafficking and help them build their lives in the UK. It is hugely rewarding and a fantastic learning opportunity. Whilst the skills needed in this team are similar to working with any children and young people, if you are fascinated by diversity and keen to offer a sense of belonging to those who have lost everything, you would be well suited to this role.
We are seeking an experienced UASC Children In Care and Age Assessment Social Worker to complete the challenging yet crucial role of age assessments. You would be part of a specialist team completing this bespoke work and also hold a small caseload of UASC young people in the care of the Local Authority. You would be joining our passionate and dedicated team of Social Workers and Personal Advisors who are very experienced and knowledgeable in this area and are very supportive and approachable.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post. For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- Degree in Social Work approved by the Social Work England (SWE) or equivalent social work qualification i.e. Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or Diploma in Social Work.
- The worker must also be registered with Social Work England.
- Successful completion of ASYE programme in a social work team.
- Knowledge of the issues affecting young people who seek asylum in the UK and how their needs can be best met in Local Authority care and as care leavers.
- Experience of undertaking age assessments on unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.
- Full understanding and strong record of practising using the signs of safety methodology or commitment to further development.
- Ability to complete statutory tasks within time frames and demonstrate child-centred practice.
- Able to analyse information to reach sound decisions, often under pressure, and take responsibility for their outcome and regular reporting to the Team manager.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Surjan Sharma, Team Manager Telephone: 0116 3053051 Email: surjan.sharma@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Senior Practitioner-UASC Team in Glenfield employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees. With a focus on professional development and flexible working options, staff are encouraged to grow in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. Located in Glenfield, the council provides a unique opportunity to engage with diverse communities and contribute to vital social services in a rewarding environment.
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner-UASC Team in Glenfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the UASC Team and the work they do! Research their projects and values, so you can speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former team members on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated child-centred practice or tackled age assessments. Use the STAR method to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure to include that supporting statement to showcase how you meet the criteria!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner-UASC Team in Glenfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our UASC Team!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children shine through. We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivations!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we receive enough applications, so get your application in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the issues affecting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Familiarise yourself with the signs of safety methodology and be ready to discuss how you've applied it in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about making a difference. Be prepared to share personal experiences or motivations that drive your passion for working with vulnerable young people. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about past situations where you had to make tough decisions under pressure, especially regarding age assessments or child-centred practices.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics or the support available for new staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.