The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Customer Services Group brings together Asylum & Human Rights, Asylum Support and Dispersal, Asylum Accommodation Centres, Resettlement Group, Passports, Citizenship & Civil Registration, Customer Operations Support Services and UK Visas & Immigration. As a major operational arm of the Home Office, we play a vital role in supporting the economy and cultural life of the UK.
The National Age Assessment Board 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.
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.
Travel
Regular travel will be required, across the UK, with the requirement to stay overnight from time to time.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.
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