Careers Information And Advice Caseworker Jobs

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Sanctuary Coordinator and Caseworker

Salary: £26,000 - £30,000

Location: Hammersmith (with travel to other London Services)

Hours:   35 Hours per week

Contract: Permanent

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.  

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. 

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. 

About the role:

Sanctuary Schemes are multi-agency victim-centred initiatives that aim to enable households at risk of violence to remain safely in their own homes by installing a 'Sanctuary' in the home and through the provision of support to the household. As a Sanctuary Scheme Specialist, you will support the sanctuary service by carrying out comprehensive assessments of service users and their homes and helping providers to ensure safety improvements are made. Joining our fast-paced team and focusing on short-term activities, you will manage a caseload of survivors, ensuring they have access and encouraging their engagement. You will conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for women experiencing domestic violence, carry out risk management, safety planning and support; and you will identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs. 

This is an amazing opportunity for a professional with experience of supporting women at risk of, or who have experienced, domestic violence to take on a challenging, but highly rewarding role where you’ll be able to make a difference to women’s lives on a daily basis. Once you join our team, you’ll discover a collaborative, supportive environment where staff empower each other to perform at their best and deliver the highest quality services to those who need our help. You will have the chance to help women and girls overcome the challenges that they face and lead safe, non-violent, equal lives.

About You:

To be successful you will bring the below experience and skills:

You will be experienced in initiating and managing support activities. You will have the ability to maintain project logs and collating log data. Proven experience in referring safeguarding cases to Social Care and MARAC and the ability to proactively assess the needs and safety of children involved and women at risk and have experience in advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered. 

· Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday 28 May 2024 @23:59

· Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) 
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways 

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks.  We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

We value diversity and aim to have diverse workforce that reflects the community and our service users, in line with our vision, values and inclusion commitments. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Anna Freud have formed the first pan-London Alliance with Safer London, St Giles Trust, New Horizon Youth Centre, and The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to deliver the Children and Young People’s Violence and Exploitation Support Service (CYP-V&ESS). Please view the Job Pack for more information about the Alliance.

The Alliance Manager is pivotal in realising the Alliance vision of a future where all young Londoners, their families and communities – regardless of background – can thrive, live safely, and fulfil their potential, free from violence and exploitation. Through compassionate leadership, the Alliance Manager will establish and nurture a collegiate environment and integrated, single Alliance culture across the provider charities. Please view the Job Profile for the experience, knowledge and skillset required for this role.

Please email Recruitment with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Location

Hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). Staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH). There will be a requirement to visit other Alliance sites, as and when required. Please view the Job Profile for locations.

Contract duration

Permanent.

Closing date for applications

Midday (12pm), Monday 20 May 2024.

Notification of interview

Shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Tuesday 28 May 2024. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews

Interviews will be held in June 2024 (exact dates to be confirmed).

How to apply

Please visitour Careers page to register and apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

New Horizon Youth Centre has been commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) as part of an Alliance with Safer London, St Giles Trust and the Anna Freud Centre to deliver on their Children and Young People’s Violence and Exploitation and Reduction support service. The commission will run from June 2024 for three years. As part of this, an additional service will be set up within the NHYC Youth Justice team specifically to deliver on the Alliance contract. This will include a team of Housing Caseworkers who will carry out assessments and advocacy work with young people under 25 who are fleeing violence and exploitation, in order to move them on successfully into both emergency and long-term housing options. You should be passionate about working with this client group, able to manage a fast-moving caseload, and committed to working collaboratively with a team across multiple services.

Salary: £31,200 - £34,736

Closing Date: 10am, 3rd June 2024

Student Advisor

We’re looking for someone with a passion for supporting and empowering others to join our collaborative and radically inclusive team at Exeter Students' Guild.

Our team of Student Advisors work to ensure that students are able to access free, independent and confidential advice on issues that affect their university experience, so that they are empowered to advocate for themselves, and to help students Love Exeter.

You will empower students to understand their rights, to identify and access appropriate sources of support, and to navigate processes and procedures that can be complex and challenging at times. The role plays a key part in ensuring students have relevant information and resources through the provision of advice casework and individual advocacy. 

Who are we?

The Students’ Guild is the University of Exeter’s students’ union, led by students for students. We’re an independent charity, offering a wide range of opportunities, services and support to help students get the most out of their unique journeys at university. This includes everything from social activities to making sure things are going well on their academic course. We have over 100 student groups and all of our work is led by, and in the best interest of, our members.

The Guild is a truly rewarding place to work. Our talented and passionate staff make a real difference to the lives of students every single day, working together to achieve the Guild’s purpose: to shape an excellent student experience for all students at Exeter by empowering them to take their place in the world and make a positive difference. We are looking for people who recognise that the Guild is student-led and share a genuine passion for student engagement and empowerment. If you share a commitment to our values and want to be part of a radically inclusive organisation with a seriously exciting future ahead, we can’t wait to hear from you.

What will you bring?

• You’ll have some experience in advocacy, advice or other work which has a focus on empowering individuals. Also to have some experience in dealing with sensitive information and situations.
• You’ll be able to have a good level of communication and be able to recognise when to adapt you communication to ensure it is being delivered in a way which is accessible to others.
• You know how to work as a team and be able to collaborate effectively across multiple teams to achieve a shared goal.  

We offer lots of great benefits including enhanced pay for expectant parents, at least 6-weeks’ holiday, sustainable travel incentives and a confidential employee advice service and assistance programme. We’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life through a real commitment to flexible working. We also provide access to great development, helping you to gain valuable experience in the charity sector and beyond, and ensuring that you have opportunities to grow your career at the Guild and beyond.

Inclusion is central to the Guild. We approach our work collaboratively, empower our people and celebrate our uniqueness. If you’re driven to empower others and achieve great things, you’ll fit right in. Our people are proud of who they are and value each other’s differences, and we are committed to creating a diverse community that is radically inclusive of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Dates for your Diary

• Closing Date: 20 May 2024 at 10am
• Shortlisting: 22 May 2024
• Interviews: 29 May 2024

About us: 

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) is one of the largest immigration and asylum advice charities in the UK, supporting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to access justice. An OISC level 3 accredited organisation, we represent clients at all stages of the immigration and asylum process, up to and including the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

We also actively campaign for a fairer and more humane immigration system. RAMFEL caseworkers therefore have the opportunity to work on systemic and strategic challenges and support broader advocacy work.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of UK immigration policy and/or of rough sleeping.

Purpose of the role: 

The purpose of the role is to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. There will be particular focus on working with people who are facing a crisis, providing legal representation and support that will take them out of destitution.

This is a vacant position being filled as a replacement. The role gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the role is on supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. 

We will primarily consider applications with relevant legal experience. Qualifications needed are OISC level 2/3 or Solicitor with IAAS accreditation.

Relationships: This post will report to the Rough Sleeping Casework Manager

Contract duration: Fixed term until 31 March 2025

Hours of work: The role is primarily a full-time position, requiring 37.5 hours per week. However, for the right candidate, we may consider accommodating part-time working hours. Given the nature of RAMFEL’s work, there may be instances where the Supervisor will need to exceed the standard hours. In such cases, compensatory time off can be arranged with the line manager

Specific Responsibilities

Case management 

1. Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
2. Adhere to standards set out by OISC/SRA and AQS to deliver high-quality advice
3. Provide representation and advice up to OISC level 2/3.
4. Engage with the Line Manager to create and follow a training plan to ensure compliance with OISC CPD, keeping up to date with changes in law, policy and guidance to ensure clients receive accurate and high-quality advice
5. Liaise directly with the UKVI and related governmental agencies
6. Complete forms, letters and immigration applications
7. Liaise with and refer clients to Legal Aid Solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
8. Manage clients’ expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing 
9. Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries/drop in as and when required 
10. Progress cases in a timely manner in line with regulatory requirements.
11. Implement organisational priorities into day-to-day casework.

Person Specification 

Education/qualifications

• Ideally candidates must be Solicitors with IAAS Level 2 with at least 1-year immigration experience or OISC level 2/3 qualified
• If OISC level 1, the candidate will be expected to initially work under supervision completing level 2 work and qualifying at level 2 within 6 months. (Training is provided and study leave is accommodated.) Upon obtaining a higher level of accreditation, the candidate’s salary will increase in line with RAMFEL pay scales.
• IAAS level 2 caseworkers (non-solicitor) will be considered but if appointed must be prepared to work under supervision and qualify at level 1 within 6 months. (Training is provided and study leave is accommodated) Upon obtaining a higher level of accreditation, the candidate’s salary will increase in line with RAMFEL pay scales.

Experience/knowledge

•  Experience in providing high-quality advice and representation to clients
•  A good understanding of law and policy as it relates to immigration and asylum 
• Experience in professional, independent, and impartial service delivery to the public 
• Experience in maintaining a caseload of cases in line with OISC requirements in relation to the conduct of cases, file management and supervision
• Knowledge of and empathy with the backgrounds and experiences of asylum seekers, rough sleepers and vulnerable migrants
• Experience in using client databases
• Experience working with interpreters supporting clients with complex matters