Social Worker - 16+ and Separated Children Seeking Asylum Service

Shape the Future. Change a Life. Build Your Career in Cornwall

Are you ready to make a lasting difference at a defining moment in a young person's life? Our team is growing - and we're looking for passionate, skilled Social Workers who believe in giving young people the best possible start into adulthood.

Want to know what it's really like to relocate and join our social work team? In this video, one of our social workers talks about his relocation journey and what makes working here so rewarding, you can find the video here - Interview - Social Worker Recruitment on Vimeo

The Service and Team :

We are seeking committed, compassionate Social Workers to join our dynamic, high performing service, supporting young people in and leaving care through relationship based pathway planning.

We work closely with Carefree, a young person led, award winning local charity, alongside a wide network of partner agencies to provide holistic, joined up support that transforms lives. You'll work within a multi disciplinary team of Social Workers, Personal Advisors, youth workers, housing specialists, and mental health professionals-all dedicated to helping young people thrive.

Our service was recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024, who noted: 'C are leavers receive an impressive level of support in Cornwall and the local authority's partnership with a specialist commissioned service to young people is exemplary' .

You can access Cornwall's Ofsted inspection report here Cornwall Council - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted

The Role

In this rewarding role, you will place young people at the heart of your practice. You'll build trusted relationships that empower 16-18 year olds to make positive decisions about their education, employment, housing, health, and wellbeing.

You will support young people who are in care, leaving care, and those seeking asylum, helping them feel secure and ready for independence. Through collaborative pathway planning, you'll work alongside young people, carers, families, and key partners in housing, health, education, and the community to ensure each young person has the right support to prepare for adulthood.

Building strong, trusting relationships is central to the role-enabling young people to achieve their goals and move forward with confidence.

This role comes with a £4,000 welcome bonus alongside a generous relocation package of up to £8,000 to help support your move to Cornwall (for eligible candidates).

This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.

This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.

What you'll need to succeed:

We'd love to hear from you if you:

• Hold a Social Work qualification (DipSW, BA Social Work, or equivalent) and are Social Work England registered.
• Have experience or an understanding of working with children in care and/or care leavers.
• Are able to build strong and supportive relationships with young people and understand the challenges they face.
• Can work independently and manage a busy caseload.
• Have strong assessment and risk management skills.
• Are I.T. literate and hold a full driving licence.
• Experience or an understanding of working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children is desirable.

Please note: If you have qualified within the last 2 years, but not completed your Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) we would welcome your application as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) in order to access Cornwall's ASYE programme which runs twice yearly. You can apply for our NQSW advert here

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an Outstanding service that truly changes lives.
• Work in a supportive, collaborative team with access to specialist expertise, including psychologist, housing, youth justice and SCSA
• Enjoy a role that's varied, rewarding, and impactful.
• Benefit from ongoing training and development and progression opportunities.

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

What you'll get in return:

We actively encourage and enable our practitioners to progress and reward them for their commitment and expertise. If you are committed to continuing professional development, can demonstrate learning in your practice and in improved outcomes for the children you help and protect, we will provide you with the career options and remuneration that match your expertise. We support our social workers to stay in front line practice as advanced practitioners or move to front line management, both of which attract the same pay.

As part of our commitment to outstanding practice, we have put in place a comprehensive core curriculum and career and qualification pathway for our social workers to develop their knowledge and skills to deliver the most effective social work intervention with children and families.

Cornwall is one of the best places in the country to live, work and bring up a family. It's location and landscape offer unique opportunities for a healthier, happier way of life. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff and we recognise that resilient Social Workers need a good work/life balance as well as supportive leadership and support in the workplace.

In recognition of the vital contribution you make, we offer an attractive package of benefits including:

• A competitive starting salary and the opportunity to increase your pay further as you progress
• Welcome bonus of £4000 for qualified Social Workers who are new to social work in Cornwall and have completed their ASYE
• £3000 Annual Market Supplement for Advanced Practitioners
• A generous relocation package
• An excellent core curriculum to support your ongoing development and a outstanding career and qualification pathway, recognised by Ofsted as a foundation of Cornwall's good practice, which will support your progression.
• Supportive management and leadership with regular, high-quality case and reflective supervision
• Access to a Cornwall Council lease car and pool car scheme
• 26 days paid annual leave per year (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities, including part-time hours, compressed hours and homeworking
• Payment of your Social Work England registration fees.