ISWS

Specialists in working with separated migrant children/young people and families impacted by immigration control.

Our vision is of a world where separated migrant children/young people and families impacted by immigration control receive high quality, expert assessments and support from the moment they arrive in the UK.

We recognise that Local Authorities are under immense pressure throughout Children and Young People’s Services, and we understand how complicated it can be to navigate an immigration and asylum system alongside their Looked After Children statutory responsibilities.

We’re here to help. With over 20 years of experience in social work, we are committed to supporting Local Authorities to provide exemplary care for the young people and families they are responsible for.

Immigration Social Work Services, led by Jo Schofield, recognised the need for high quality, specialist training and consultancy services to support the existing work of Local Authorities and Law Firms in this field.

Having previously worked at both Central and Local Government level, as well as front line practitioners in the field, we are experts in supporting professionals and agencies to employ best practice standards, using up to date case law, legislation, research and policy.

Training

Our highly experienced team delivers industry leading specialist training, for all professionals working in the immigration social care field.

Our unique practical skills, grassroots experience and strong reputation in the field, bridge the gap between practical experience and policy-level expertise, supporting staff to enhance their practice.

It was brilliant training, so informative and really increased my knowledge in this area.

SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONER ON TRIPLE PLANNING TRAINING

I felt that the way the course was delivered was exceptional, the language used was easy to absorb and the use of examples made it all make sense.

INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORKER

This was excellent training, I feel more informed and definitely more confident about the processes and triple planning. Jo facilitated the training brilliantly and kept interest throughout, allowing for discussion and questions and sharing her expertise. I would definitely recommend this training to others, I know this will make a difference in our practice and my management. Thank you.

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER

Jo has so much knowledge and the volume of information about Triple Planning is huge but I think by the end of the day I had a lot more ideas of how to focus my plans more specifically to the young person and prepare them for all eventualities from the beginning rather than respond as the process is happening. Understanding that it is just about being aware of where to go or who to ask rather than having all the answers makes it feel less overwhelming. I know the resources and slides we were given will be used over and over again. I think this is essential training for anyone working with separated young people and only wish the circumstances of our immigration system were kinder.

PERSONAL ADVISOR

Support

Having provided strategic and operational support at both local and central government level, we understand the nuances and crossovers between social care and immigration.

Our mission is to support Local Authorities and Agencies to provide outstanding, industry leading services to separated migrant children, and offer high quality consultancy support such as ensuring your policies and practice are case law compliant and trauma-informed, keeping children and young people at the heart of what you do.

There has been significant development in the support and guidance offered to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children through the ‘Child first, migrant second’ protocol. This is having a positive impact on the service they are receiving.

OFSTED INSPECTOR ON POLICY WRITTEN FOR BRADFORD CHILDREN’S SERVICES