Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621975
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum plus Market Supplement of up to £4,500 per annum
Work Location: Parkway, Fareham
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 25 August 2025
The Role:
This role involves supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and refugee young people by arranging placements, conducting age and trafficking assessments, and following Children in Care (CIC) procedures. You will use your professional expertise to assess, monitor, and review the social care needs of individuals, families, and carers, ensuring high standards of case and risk management. Working in partnership with service users, carers, and external agencies, you will help identify service needs and contribute to the development and delivery of appropriate care and support, in line with departmental priorities, statutory duties, and best value principles.
What you’ll do:
1. Make informed decisions about risks and care needs, ensuring they align with departmental priorities and eligibility criteria. In consultation with managers and stakeholders, determine the most suitable level and type of service provision, care plans, and day-to-day case management activities.
2. Lead on assessment and care planning by using professional skills to evaluate risks and social care needs, refer to relevant agencies, and create personalised care plans that promote dignity, empowerment, and comply with statutory frameworks and best value principles.
3. Manage cases effectively by maintaining a caseload in line with departmental procedures, offering guidance and support to individuals and families, reviewing care packages, maintaining accurate records, and producing reports that inform decision-making and service delivery.
4. Contribute to service development by staying up to date with financial support options, participating in training, supporting colleagues and students, collaborating with external agencies, identifying service gaps, and promoting inclusive, anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of your work.
What we’re looking for:
5. Qualified and registered professionals with Social Work England or other relevant bodies, holding qualifications such as DipSW, CQSW, Dip OT, or nursing registration. BSL/NVQ Level 3 in sign language is desirable where appropriate.
6. Experienced practitioners with a strong background in working with children, families, and vulnerable groups, ideally in multi-disciplinary and interagency settings.
7. Excellent communicators with strong mediation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, able to build meaningful relationships and write clear, concise reports.
8. Skilled assessors and planners who can analyse risks and needs, develop effective care plans, and understand legal frameworks, equalities issues, and principles of dignity, empowerment, and best value.
9. Organised and committed individuals who manage time effectively, embrace continuous learning and development, and contribute positively to service improvement and inclusive practice.
Why join us?
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance. We invest in you through our internal development programmes and training and offer a competitive salary and .
Additional Information:
Qualified Social Worker
Vetting Requirements:
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.