Senior Social Worker – Unaccompanied Asylum‑Seeking Children

About the role

Shropshire Council is looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join its Children Services teams, focusing on Unaccompanied Asylum‑Seeking Children (UASC) and Children Looked After (CLA). The role offers the chance to make a tangible difference to vulnerable children while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of children and young people within the CLA service.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments based on direct work with children, families and young people.
• Develop and progress care and pathway plans, ensuring timely access to appropriate services.
• Carry out statutory visits to children in home, foster, or residential placements.
• Chair and coordinate meetings such as care planning, placement stability, risk management, and review sessions.
• Provide advice, guidance and support to children, families and carers to improve outcomes.
• Undertake court‑related work, including revocation of care orders and Special Guardianship Orders.
• Participate in the team duty rota and maintain accurate case records in line with council policies.
• Collaborate with parents, guardians, education providers, health professionals and partner agencies.

Required profile

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Previous experience in Children’s Services, preferably within CLA and/or UASC teams.
• Strong assessment, care‑planning and safeguarding experience.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a personal vehicle.

Required skills