Senior Social Worker, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’s (UASC) team within the Corporate Parenting Service to support UASC who are children in care to the Local Authority and those leaving care.

As a Senior Social Worker in our UASC team you will support children and young adults on their continued journey into UK life and on to reach their full potential through their journey in care and on to independence, alongside the asylum process. You will hold a caseload of children in care, supporting them to achieve their full potential through their journey in care and on to independence. All referrals of UASC in Buckinghamshire come straight to the UASC teams so the children may be as young as 12, up to the age of 18 where they are then supported as care leavers whilst the asylum claims are processed.

The successful applicant will:

• Manage a complex caseload within a framework of appropriate reflective supervision, undertaking focused, analytical assessments, SMART plans and reviews that have clear objectives and outcome measures to ensure that UASC children in care receive a service that reflects the Council’s commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children in our care.
• Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people through the provision of high-quality trauma-informed social work practice, supporting them to achieve their full potential.
• Participate in effective partnership working and engagement and to work collaboratively with a range of organisations, statutory and voluntary in delivering services to children and young people, including immigration solicitors and the Home Office and the court system.
• Support the Service in providing effective service delivery and promote excellent performance whilst striving to be ambitious corporate parents.
• Comply with legislation, statutory guidance and local policies and procedures.
• Able to write excellent court reports and assessments in relation to UASC processes.
• Be competent in working with the Home Office, associated processes and the age assessment process.

Applicants for the UASC senior social worker role will need to have good knowledge and experience of working with, assessing and supporting UASC who are therefore children in care, with full understanding of the Age Assessment, Home Office, Asylum and Children in Care processes and legislations. Applicants will need to demonstrate their experience of working with children in care, UASC, care leavers, adolescents and/or children and families without recourse to public funds, but also a keen interest in working with and supporting young people who have experienced trauma and where English is not their first language is key. Ability and experience to lead less experienced UASC social workers and personal advisors is desirable. Training of and ability to undertake age assessments with/as a lead assessor would be desirable.

In this role, you will work within a supportive and ambitious team committed to delivering exceptional practice, driving positive change, and championing the rights of the children and young people we serve.

In addition to the advertised salary, you will receive a market premium of £2,750 per annum.

You will also be entitled to a Golden Hello payment of £2,125 after 1 years service (external candidates only)

Take a look at our Children's Social Care Candidate Pack to find out more.

About the role

As a Senior Social Worker, you will take a leading role within a multi-disciplinary team of Social Workers and Personal Advisors. Reporting to the Team Manager, you’ll support the delivery of high-quality statutory services and ensure that practice is consistent, purposeful, and focused on improving outcomes.

You will:

• Provide expert guidance, oversight, and support to colleagues, contributing to their professional development.
• Lead on complex assessments, planning, interventions, and reviews for children in care and care leavers.
• Champion robust transition planning, ensuring young people are supported confidently into adulthood.
• Maintain oversight of delegated casework and team performance, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Build meaningful relationships with children and young people to understand their lived experiences.
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and multi-agency partners to develop strength‑based support plans.
• Contribute to the effective running of the duty system and represent the local authority in court when required.

About you

You are a committed and experienced social work professional with a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. You thrive in a role that blends direct practice with leadership support, bringing confidence, empathy, and resilience to every situation.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Substantial experience working directly with vulnerable children and young people.
• Strong assessment, planning, and case management skills.
• The ability to mentor and support other professionals.
• Excellent communication skills and experience working with multi-agency partners.
• SWE registration and ongoing CPD.
• A full driving licence and the ability to travel across the county.

Other information

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Nichola Gallagher at [email protected]

Closing Date: Midnight on Tuesday 28th April 2026

Interview Date: W/C 4th May 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.

We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants and shops, a generous employer pension contribution in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme, discounts on gym memberships and more - https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/

Social Workers are also entitled to a generous enhanced reward package, as follows:

• Competitive salary with a market increment
• A ‘Golden Hello’ lump sum payment upon successful completion of probation
• Annual leave up to 30 days per year, as well as other types of leave and the opportunity to buy further leave
• Up to 15 days per year training, learning and development offer
• Free parking across all of our office sites 

If you are interested in relocating to Buckinghamshire and working with us, relocation packages are also available.