Social Worker – 16+ and Separated Children Seeking Asylum Service

Job Description

The Service and Team:

We’re looking for a dedicated Social Worker to join our 16+ and Separated Children Seeking Asylum Service—a dynamic, high-performing team recognised for its strong partnership approach. In this rewarding role, you’ll support young people aged 16–18 who are in care, leaving care, or seeking asylum, helping them feel secure and ready for independence.

Our service works in close partnership with Carefree and a wide network of agencies to provide holistic, joined-up support that transforms life chances. You’ll be part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals—including social workers, youth workers, housing specialists, and mental health experts—all committed to helping young people thrive.

The Role

As a Social Worker, you’ll lead on care planning and pathway planning for young people aged 16–18, ensuring they have the right support to prepare for adulthood. You’ll collaborate with housing, health, education, and community partners to deliver tailored solutions that meet individual needs.

Your work will include carrying out thorough risk assessments and creating risk management plans to keep young people safe. Building strong, trusting relationships will be central to your role—empowering young people to achieve their goals and feel valued.

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 working with children in care and/or care leavers.
• Communicate brilliantly 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.
• Knowledge of working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children is desirable.

Why Join Us?

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

What You’ll Get In Return

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

Our Core Employee Rewards And Benefits Include

• a competitive salary.
• a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions
• a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.
• A national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme
• Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services.

Additional Information

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Charlotte Trevenna on Charlotte.Trevenna@cornwall.gov.uk

About Us

Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year. Working here - Cornwall Council

We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options .

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.