qualified social worker - uasc.

Qualified Children's Social Worker - Duty & Assessment / UASC (Trafford)

Rate of Pay: £35.00 per hour (Agency/Locum) Location: Trafford Council (Hybrid Working Available) Contract: Temporary / Full-Time

Job Summary

Trafford Council is looking for a resilient and experienced Qualified Social Worker to join their front-line Duty and Assessment Team, with a specific focus on Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).

This is a unique role that combines the fast-paced nature of initial assessments with the specialist knowledge required to support vulnerable young people arriving in the UK. You will benefit from a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration, community visits, and working from home.

Key Responsibilities

• Initial Assessments: Undertake high-quality, statutory single assessments for children and families, identifying risk and protective factors within strict DfE timescales.
• UASC Specialism: Lead on assessments for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, including Merton-compliant age assessments and identifying immediate safeguarding or placement needs.
• Section 47 Enquiries: Conduct joint investigations with the Police and other partners to ensure children are protected from significant harm.
• Triple Planning: For UASC cases, contribute to triple planning (Return, Leave to Remain, or Transitional support) to ensure the young person's future is secure and clear.
• Interpreters & Cultural Competency: Work closely with interpreters and specialist agencies to ensure the child's voice is heard, regardless of language barriers or cultural differences.
• Direct Work: Use creative and culturally sensitive tools to engage with children and young people, ensuring their wishes and feelings are central to your assessment.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and timely case notes using Trafford's electronic management systems (e.g., Liquidlogic).

✅ Essential Requirements

• Social Work Qualification: Degree/Diploma in Social Work.
• Registration: Valid registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• UASC Experience: Proven experience in UASC social work, including knowledge of the National Transfer Scheme and age assessment processes.
• Statutory Experience: Minimum 2 years post-qualifying experience in a Duty & Assessment or First Response setting.
• Mobility: Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle for community and home visits.
• Compliance: Enhanced DBS on the update service and a DfE-compliant 5-year work history.

Why Trafford?

• Hybrid Flexibility: A genuine mix of home and office working to help manage your work-life balance.
• Competitive Rate: A strong hourly rate of £35.00 for a sought-after specialism.
• Supportive Management: Access to regular supervision and a dedicated UASC lead for specialist guidance.

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.