Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counterterrorism, policing, fire, crime, nationality, and immigration policy.
The Illegal Migration Operations Command (IMOC) is prioritising the operationalisation of the new Illegal Migration Act (IMA). This is a top priority, which is being led through twice weekly PM committee and will fundamentally alter the way in which the Government tackles illegal migration.
The Illegal Migration Act has been introduced in response to the Prime Minister�s commitment to respond to the pressure of small boat arrivals. One of its aims is to introduce a duty to remove anyone arriving illegally in the UK.
The newly formed Illegal Migration Operations Command looks to implement the Illegal Migration Act through processing and screening irregular migrants that fall under the new duties, as well as the creation of a new case working directorate.
The Illegal Migration Intake Unit (IMIU) is responsible for the registration and screening of those arriving in the UK illegally.
The Illegal Migration Intake Unit consists of the Kent Intake Unit (KIU); Midlands Intake Unit (MIU) within Yarl�s Wood IRC; Belfast Intake Unit, Intake Response Team (IRT), Manston Reception Centre, the Remote Operations Hub, and the People and Planning Function providing corporate enablement to the operation. The unit is made up of over 700 officers.
Job description
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at the Home Office. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
This role will work alongside our Kent Intake Unit (KIU) who primarily deal with new arrivals detected either near the port, in the surrounding area in Kent, and small boat arrivals. The unit operates 24/7, 365 days of the year. Those arriving at the Kent Intake Unit will already be detained, so the Kent Intake Unit includes a holding room facility. The Kent Intake Unit has a particular focus around processing unaccompanied children, so the work of the unit involves the identification of those children and working closely with Kent Children�s Services to ensure they are processed and placed into appropriate care as quickly as possible. ��
This is a rare opportunity for a social work professional to provide expertise and leadership of a new flagship function that has significant Ministerial, local authority, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and public interest.
We are looking for an ambitious leader who is passionate about ensuing the welfare of young people and is experienced in leading teams and working with partners and stakeholders within the social work profession to ensure appropriate packages of support are delivered for individuals at pace. Therefore, we are looking for candidates who are qualified social workers with extensive post-qualification experience in a local authority setting. Alongside proven expertise and experience in complex assessments, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment with the accountability for a high-profile area of work.
There will be exposure to senior colleagues and Ministers across the breadth of the department.
You will be reporting to the G6 Operations Lead for the Kent Intake Unit.
Person specification
Ensuring the welfare of people who have arrived in the UK is at the heart of what we do, the successful candidate will lead a team of 8 Social Workers who will be responsible for providing critical safeguarding expertise and support through:
1. Ensuring that a high-quality service is provided to local authorities and relevant bodies throughout the UK, young asylum seekers and others. Take into account the needs and viewpoints of others when delivering the service
2. Leading the allocation and delivery of high quality UASC work in a timely way that meets the needs of the Home Office
3. Quality assuring the work of social workers and ensure that it meets the required standards. Take appropriate remedial action where this is not the case
4. Monitoring those children who are accommodated in post detention settings in KIU locations, liaise with the NTS team and LA regarding placements ensuring those most vulnerable are prioritised and times spent in these settings are kept to a minimum
5. Providing professional supervision of social workers and providing line management to team members
6. Providing a mentoring role to the Social Work Team members through assistance with complex cases, along with SACC Professional Advisors, to support the professional development of social workers
7. Drafting high quality Ministerial submissions, briefings and correspondence as required
8. Acting as a key liaison between local authorities and the Home Office
9. Providing written and verbal reports and Management Information as required. This will include attending and leading operational calls with the Refugee Council and other partners
10. Maintaining up to date knowledge of and apply research findings, legislation, statutory guidance, and policy developments
11. Ensuring the team is up to date on procedural and operational changes and that guidance is applied in practice
12. Being a liaison point for the Safeguarding Hub, to ensure that high quality and timely interventions, referrals and sign posting work is undertaken to support vulnerable customers
13. Providing subject matter expertise and attending any safeguarding board meetings
14. Advising colleagues where a safeguarding/NRM referral is necessary
15. Alongside the wider management and policy team, ensure that future developments, such as scientific age assessment, codification and the right of appeal are fully understood and applied by the team
16. Being committed to own and team�s personal development ensuring own and team�s training requirements are met and driving continuous improvement
17. Promoting the safety and wellbeing of all service users at any location by engaging with individuals on site to ensure their welfare
18. Other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of skill, competence, and training
Although this role is based at our Kent Intake Unit, Dover, the successful candidate will be required to regularly attend other Kent based Home Office approved sites, including Frontier House, Folkestone, Western Jet Foil and Manston (near Ramsgate), to monitor and engage with young people and ensure their welfare. Occasionally you may be asked to travel to locations outside Kent. Travel and subsistence would be paid in line with guidance.
The successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Unfortunately, not all working patterns can be supported within this role. If you are applying for this role and require a flexible working pattern or part-time working, please ensure this is discussed and agreed with the vacancy holder prior to accepting an offer for this role.
Training
Training for all frontline Illegal Migration intake Unit colleagues will include teaching skills in personal safety techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. This Personal Safety Training (PST) requires physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates. This training is refreshed annually.
Completing this training is a mandatory requirement for the role. By submitting an application for this role, you are confirming that you understand this requirement.
Essential Criteria
You will need to demonstrate:
19. A successful track record of leading social work teams in a Children and Families statutory environment including teams focused on the task of age assessment
20. Age assessment experience including knowledge of relevant case law, process and guidance including defending age assessments decisions following legal challenges
21. The ability to identify and build capability and oversee the deployment of resources to drive delivery and transformation
22. Have strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and manage relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
23. Working autonomy with minimal supervision
Licences
Due to the nature of the work and the geographical area, travel by official vehicle will be inevitable and candidates must have a full valid UK driving licence BEFORE applying. You must be able to present it to demonstrate your eligibility. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.
Memberships
Registered Social Worker with Social Work England - up to date registration number will need to be supplied.
Please provide within your CV clear details of this membership along with the date it was obtained. Failure to hold the above membership or to provide proof of such when requested will mean your application will be withdrawn from this campaign.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
24. Changing and Improving
25. Developing Self and Others
26. Leadership
27. Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
28. Learning and development tailored to your role
29. An environment with flexible working options
30. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
31. A with an average employer contribution of 27%