Job Description

This is an exciting time to be joining Dorset Council, we are investing and strengthening our service to meet the needs of all unaccompanied children in and beyond our care. A new, dedicated team of Social Workers and Personal Advisers is being created. This opportunity is now available for social workers who are interested and passionate about offering the best service to unaccompanied children.



Social workers will support children to receive a warm Dorset welcome, as they come into our care. Settling into homes where they can be offered the stability, care, and safety they need to adjust to living in the UK, develop their skills and transition into adulthood.


You will deliver the full range of statutory responsibilities for Children in Care, under the Children Act 1989, as well as working within the Leaving Care Act 2000 and alongside Personal Advisors, when a child reaches 16.


You will be working collaboratively with multi agency partners to identify and assess each child's needs and reflect these and their individual strengths and aspirations within all aspects of care planning. There will be a particular focus on their health, education, and social needs, which will include supporting cultural links within communities and advocating for them to receive the best care and support.



You will be aiming to achieve permanence for our children ensuring triple planning is started early and clear to our children and those supporting them. In this role you will work closely with our legal service and the Home Office to progress our children's asylum applications promptly.

About you:

You will have a Social Work qualification, be registered with Social Work England and be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post. This post has a significant travel requirement, both locally and nationally, and you are contractually required to have a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the council) available for use as required. You will need experience of working to meet competing demands and be able to adapt to changing situations and respond appropriately. You will need to be an effective communicator, be creative in your work and use reflective thinking to inform your practice. Experience in working with unaccompanied young people is desirable but not essential. Due to the current need, applications can only be accepted from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK.


Please contact Henrietta Marchant or Matthew Chislett on 01305 225809 if you would like some more information about the role and an informal discussion.

This is a full time role at 37 hours per week.



This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.



This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.



See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.



The friends and family referral scheme applies to this post. If an employee recommended this post to you, mention them when asked on your application form.



Employees can share this advert by using the button links alongside the job title.



A generous relocation package is payable, of which up to 8,000 (of HMRC eligible elements) are free of tax. We can offer you help to move whether you are looking to buy or rent, depending on your circumstances.



Our package includes:


an initial advance of up to 2,500 payable when you start help towards fees associated with buying/selling (up to 6,500) an option to receive help towards your rent or mortgage in the first two years

You must:


have a degree in social work or equivalent be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the post

See the children's social worker framework.