Border Force is a Law Enforcement arm of the Home Office. We are responsible for handling the UK border control by implementing immigration and customs regulations and working with the wider Home Office on counter terrorism, organised crime, modern slavery, and trafficking.
The Irregular Migration Intake Unit (IMIU) is responsible for the timely processing of irregular migrants, consisting of the registration and screening of those arriving in the UK illegally, locking the identity of asylum claimants from small boat arrivals, lorry drops and other clandestine arrivals.
About the role
We are hiring a social worker to work alongside our Kent Intake Unit (KIU), which deals primarily with new arrivals detected either near the port, in the surrounding area in Kent, and small boat arrivals. The unit operates 24/7, 365 days of the year.
The Kent Intake Unit has a particular focus on processing unaccompanied children, so the work of the unit involves the identification of those children and working closely with Kent Children’s Services to ensure they are processed and placed into appropriate care as quickly as possible.
We are looking for candidates who are qualified social workers, with extensive post-qualification experience in a local authority setting. Alongside proven expertise and experience in complex assessments, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment with the accountability for a high-profile area of work.
This role is only open to individuals who are already qualified social workers, registered with Social Work England.
Ensuring the welfare of people who have arrived in the UK is at the heart of what we do, and the successful candidates will provide critical safeguarding expertise and support.
Although these roles are based at our Kent Intake Unit, Dover, successful candidates will be required to regularly attend other Kent-based Home Office approved sites, including Frontier House, Folkestone, Western Jet Foil, Dover, and Manston (near Ramsgate), to monitor and engage with young people and ensure their welfare. Occasionally you may be asked to travel to locations outside Kent. Travel and subsistence would be paid in line with guidance.
Working Patterns
Due to the operational nature of these roles, these are full-time in-person positions, with limited options to work part-time or flexibly. All post-holders are expected to work the full range of shifts and attend the office or required allocated location in person.
Benefits
We offer competitive starting salaries – further details below – a Civil Service Pension with employer contribution rates of 28.97%, and a range of other brilliant benefits including 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service.
You will also have access to learning and development tailored to your role, and a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
Find out more about some of the other benefits we offer.
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From £44,720 to £47,850 plus an Annualised Hours Working shift allowance (AHW) currently averaging 24.05%, which would equate to £10,755 based on salary minimum. This allowance is paid in addition to the monthly salary to compensate for out of office hours working and flexibility and is reviewed periodically.
Illegal Migration Intake Unit operates a shift working pattern, where AHW is paid in accordance with the operational needs of the business. We are a 365-day operation and utilise a range of shifts including earlies, lates, weekend and public holiday working. Shift lengths can vary and be up to 12 hours. This allowance is paid in addition to the monthly salary to compensate for out of office hours working and flexibility.
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- Qualified Social Worker (Degree in Social Work, Social Work England registered).
- Experience in age assessment and child protection within an immigration/asylum context.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding laws, human rights, and asylum processes.
- Experience working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), trafficked children, and survivors of trauma.
- Ability to work in high-pressure environments with rapid decision-making.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting and evidence recording.
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To apply for this role, you must be a qualified Social Worker and Social Work England registered: you will need to provide details of your qualification along with the date it was obtained within your CV. Failure to hold such qualification or to provide proof when requested will mean your application will be withdrawn from this campaign.
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Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 6th May 2025
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For more information and to apply, click here.
