Social Worker Team Manager

Various locations: Bristol, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Peterborough, Sheffield, Solihull

G7 Social Worker Team Manager

Salary

London £64,300 - £70,730 - National £60,300 - £66,330

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Business area

HO - Asylum and Human Rights Operations

Qualifications

Qualified Social Worker

The National Age Assessment Board (NAAB) was established in March 2023 as part of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and is still a relatively new age assessment function in the Home Office.

This is an exciting and rarely available type of role. You will be an exceptional leader within the social work profession, with proven expertise and experience in age assessment, who thrives in a fast-paced environment with the accountability for a high-profile area of work.

The NAAB has national coverage across the whole of the UK. One post holder will manage a team who primarily work in Wales and the South West and one post holder will manage a team who primarily work in the West Midlands. Successful post holders will be required to meet with their team members face to face on a regular basis.

Job description

The successful applicants will manage a team of age assessing social workers, providing social work leadership, including professional supervision and line management to team members, as well as age assessment expertise to the NAAB operation.

Team managers will be responsible for building high performing teams, championing diversity and equality, fostering positive employee relations, employee engagement and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

NAAB Social Work Team Managers will:

• Ensure 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.

• Quality assure the work of social workers and ensure that it meets the required standards. Take appropriate remedial action where this is not the case.

• Support the Head of NAAB and policy colleagues in developing and delivering the NAAB function.

• 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.

• Ensure that both LA and Home Office referrals are afforded appropriate levels of priority.

• Maintain high quality and professional relationships with all parties who refer work into NAAB.

• Drive continuous improvement, with a focus on customer service.

• Draft high quality Ministerial submissions, briefing and correspondence as required.

Essential criteria

• Qualified and registered social worker with Social Work England, or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Significant management experience, which includes people management, performance management and strategic oversight.

• 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.

• Age assessment experience including knowledge of relevant case law, process and guidance including defending age assessments decisions following legal challenges.

• The ability to identify and build capability and oversee the deployment of resources to drive delivery and transformation.

Memberships

Qualified Social Worker and registered with Social Work England or equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.