The Head of Syria and Iraq Detention Project is responsible for overseeing Reprieve’s work on detention cases in North East Syria (NES) and Iraq.

There are currently thousands of people indefinitely detained in camps in North East Syria, in conditions the UN has described as “deplorable and inhumane”. Others have been transferred to Iraq or Assad-controlled Syria, where they have faced torture and the death penalty without anything resembling due process.

Reprieve’s Syria and Iraq Projects aim to ensure that individuals detained in Syria and Iraq are treated in line with international law, and not subjected to the death penalty, extrajudicial execution, arbitrary detention, torture or rendition. We also aim to challenge and change flawed ‘war on terror’ narratives and legal and political frameworks – including in the UK, Europe and the US – that engender state-sanctioned discrimination and abuse and undermine the rule of law and human rights.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies using a dynamic approach in which each of Reprieve’s methodologies—casework, investigation, litigation, political and public engagement, outreach and support for affected communities—connect with one another in pursuit of saving clients’ lives and addressing structural rights violations. You are an experienced campaigner and advocate, with significant legal, casework or litigation experience and strong writing skills. You have demonstrated experience leading teams and managing a complex portfolio of cases.

For full details and information on how to apply please see the job description.

“Providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice”

Citizens Advice Southwark has a track record of delivering high-quality services from its offices in Peckham, Walworth and Bermondsey and outreach locations across Southwark and South East London. We sort out problems together, for good, by providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice across all areas of social welfare law, and through using the experience of our clients to bring about positive change through research and campaigns. 

Generalist Advice Caseworker

NJC Scale 6 - £29,194 to £30,754 per annum pro rata

Part-time or full-time (minimum 21 hours per week)

Fixed Term to 31 March 2022

We are looking for an experienced Generalist Advice Caseworker to deliver a high quality advice service. You will be required to work across our three offices in Southwark according to operational needs. The role includes providing advice to the public and undertaking casework on social welfare law issues.

To be successful you will need to have:

• Six months recent experience of providing Generalist Advice to the public
• An understanding of the advice needs and issues of the local community in a diverse, inner city area
• To understand, empathise with and be committed to the Service’s aims, principles and equal opportunities policies

For further information and an application pack please visit our website.

Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 1st February 2021

Interviews Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th February 2021

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, an employer matched pension contribution up to 10% salary, and training and development opportunities to continue your professional development.

Citizens Advice Southwark is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.

Funded by London Borough of Southwark.

To apply please follow the steps in "How to Apply" above.

Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing & Hounslow Mind provides mental health services in the boroughs. We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and hardworking individual to joining our Adult Services Team.

The Role

An opportunity has arisen within with the Ealing Advice Service (EAS) to provide advice, information, and guidance to adults living with a mental health problem.

We’re looking for an experienced Mental Health Advice Caseworker to provide advice and guidance to adults living with mental health problems in the borough of Ealing on practical issues such as welfare benefits, housing, financial issues (including debt), and employment, as well as supporting clients in accessing numerous community services.

The successful candidate will support colleagues on the Ealing Advice Service (EAS) team with enquiries relating to mental health. The Ealing Advice Service (EAS) is a consortium of charity sector organisations, working in partnership to provide advice and guidance to a range of clients with various support needs.

The Mental Health Advice Caseworker will be working from home during the pandemic. However once the pandemic is over, the candidate will be based at the HFEH Mind office in Ealing for approximately three days per week. For the remainder of their time, they will be based across the borough of Ealing at different sites within the community. 

You should have excellent negotiation skills, as well as knowledge of the local area and its population (or a willingness to learn). You must be able to empathise with service users, whilst giving impartial advice in a non-judgmental way. You must be able to demonstrate your effectiveness as an adviser and be comfortable dealing with complex cases with minimum supervision. As the role is focused on providing advice to clients with mental health needs, you should be confident, patient and able to deliver supportive advice in a manner that is easily understood. 

This is a rare opportunity to join a growing and lively charity, where your ideas and contributions will be highly valued and your professional development supported. It is an extremely exciting time to join an organisation with big ambitions to further support those living with mental health problems in West London.
 

This is a fixed term contract for 35 hours per week until 31st March 2023(contract renewal dependent on performance and funding).

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Please apply by sending your completed application form. 

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services for victims of all forms of gender-based violence (domestic, sexual, so called ‘honour’ violence, modern slavery and human trafficking, prostitution, forced marriage, stalking and FGM). Every day we support over 6,000 women and children in our national network of services.  These include Independent Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Advocacy services (IDVAs/ISVAs and IGVAs), community outreach, specialist refuge accommodation, sanctuary services, culturally-specific services and the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. We advise Government and lobby hard to keep violence against women and girls high on the public agenda. We run award-winning prevention and public education campaigns, manage a busy press office and website, and we are an accredited training provider. We give a voice to the voiceless.

This post is funded by the Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP), aiming to provide enhanced interventions for those with children aged 0-3, including during pregnancy, in four key wards. The Outreach Worker will provide holistic support to victims of domestic violence to meet a wide range of needs with the overall aim of increasing their safety and wellbeing. They will have a low caseload to allow for enhanced casework with service users and their children, over a longer period of time, with a wider remit and taking a flexible approach.

The post holder will provide a high quality personal welfare support service to survivors of domestic violence and their children, including those at the point of crisis. The post holder will provide advice, advocacy, support and training to statutory agencies, in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles.

The role involves empowering survivors to make decisions, increase their options, their confidence and their safety.

The job involves working within a multi-agency framework to develop referral, joint working and information sharing protocols.

All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality which underpin all of our work. Successful applicants will be expected to work within Refuge’s Values and Behaviour Framework and demonstrate these in their everyday work.

Competitive salary offering annual progression within points of the salary grade, 28 days annual leave increasing to 30 days, pension scheme with People’s pension that includes a 6% Employer contribution, comprehensive EAP.

Refuge is proud to be a leader in its field and an employer of choice with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. We offer the first Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) accredited qualification for our profession. 

Please visit Refuge’s website for further details and other opportunities.

Closing date: 4th February 2021

This is a permanent and full time role with 37.5 hours per week.

An enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate will be required for this role.

Refuge is committed to quality, equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This post is however restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

No agencies please - as a charity we work hard to keep our costs down.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Caseworker-Investigator is responsible for death penalty casework, investigation, and administration support to Reprieve clients and support to partner organisations and lawyers in the MENA region.

ABOUT THE TEAM: the Reprieve MENA team’s work is diverse and constantly evolving to shape, respond to and anticipate changes in the domestic and regional death penalty landscape. Our strategy in any given jurisdiction is developed in collaboration with – and informed by – our partners and fellows. Direct casework and investigation on strategic cases is core to our work in all regions, and includes legal, political and advocacy strategies as appropriate.

We look in particular to find and develop cases and narratives which have the potential to change the landscape and benefit as many individuals or classes of individuals as possible. We also undertake and assist with longer term thematic projects and engage with regional and international mechanisms and organs where it is strategic to do so.

ABOUT YOU: you are a positive and creative person with a can-do attitude, a proven ability to multitask and work under pressure and to tight deadlines, a willingness to muck in on all tasks big and small, creativity and a passion for Reprieve’s work. You will be someone whom clients, family members, colleagues and partner organisations feel confident to approach for professional casework support and more. Even if you don’t always know the answer, you will be capable of proactively obtaining it from the Head of the Middle East and North Africa Projects or the Directors.

For more information on the role, including how to apply, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/2WCekCy. 

“Providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice”

Citizens Advice Southwark has a track record of delivering high-quality services from its offices in Peckham, Bermondsey and Walworth, and outreach locations across Southwark and South East London. We sort out problems together, for good, by providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice across all areas of social welfare law, and through using the experience of our clients to bring about positive change through research and campaigns. 

Money Advice Caseworker

NJC Salary Scale SO1 - £31,455 to £33,290 per annum pro-rata

Full-time

Permanent

We are looking for a full-time debt adviser to provide casework services to our client groups from our three offices in Southwark. You will join our friendly and hard-working team to ensure the ongoing successful delivery of our specialist services. The post is funded through Debt Free London, a London-wide partnership of organisations that provide free debt advice to Londoners who are experiencing or at risk of financial exclusion and debt

You must have:

• Recent and ongoing paid or voluntary experience of managing one’s own caseload of money advice and income maximisation cases.
• Ability to write detailed up to date case notes, letters and reports as required in plain English.
• Ability to manage a challenging caseload, meet targets and prioritise work in the face of competing demands on your time.
• Ability to respond sensitively to clients from a variety of backgrounds who are under pressure and negotiate with third parties in order to minimise conflict.

Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 8 February 2021

Interviews: Friday 12 February 2021

For further information and an application pack please visit our website.

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, an employer matched pension contribution up to 10% salary, and training and development opportunities to continue your professional development.

Citizens Advice Southwark is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.

We are working with a small independent charity based in Merton, who support people with disabilities to live independently and have control over their own lives. They are a user-led organisation promoting the inclusion, choice, and independence of Deaf and Disabled People. They are currently looking to recruit a temporary, part-time (21 hours per week) Senior Case Worker; this position is offered on a temporary basis until the end of March 2021, with a possibility of extension.

As their Senior Case Worker, you will provide information, advice and advocacy support to individuals with disabilities and additional needs. You will manage your own caseload and as a senior member of the team you will supervise and coach others as well as engaging with funders and other relevant stakeholders. You will also support the Service Manager with training and development of trainee case workers and deputise in place of the service manager when required.

To be considered, you will have significant case management experience as well as the ability to provide quality assurance advice to the public on a one to one basis. You will be experienced in effectively managing your workload and dealing with situations which can be of a challenging or distressing nature. Finally, you will need to have knowledge and experience of quality assurance systems and how to implement them (e.g. Supervisor File Reviews). The ability to demonstrate an empathy for the issues and barriers faced by disabled people and an understanding of the policy issues affecting their lives is essential.

To be considered, you will be in possession of a fully enhanced DBS check, issued within the last year or registered to the online update service and must be available to start immediately

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled with the client, on an on-going basis.

Given the unprecedented volume of interest in our roles, consultants are unable to support with general job search advice or specific enquiries before application. Instead please do either register your CV on our website or submit your CV for any roles that interest you to ensure that your application is reviewed in line with the position. Should you be successfully longlisted or we are able to assist in your job search we will be in contact to discuss next steps.

”we sort out problems together, for good”

Citizens Advice Southwark has a track record of delivering high-quality services from its offices in Peckham, Walworth and Bermondsey and outreach locations across Southwark and South East London. We sort out problems together, for good, by providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice across all areas of social welfare law, and through using the experience of our clients to bring about positive change through research and campaigns. 

Dimbleby & Macmillan Welfare Benefits Caseworker 

NJC Scale SO2 £34,164 to £35,947 per annum pro rata

Part-time – 28 hours per week

Permanent

Post funded jointly by Dimbleby Cancer Care & Macmillan Cancer Support

Citizens Advice Southwark provides an outreach advice service in hospitals across South East London for people affected by cancer. We are seeking to recruit a part-time welfare benefits caseworker, 4 days per week, who will undertake casework, assisting clients to access their entitlements to welfare benefits and other sources of financial help.

You must have:

• Substantial experience of managing your own case load of complex welfare benefits cases and an in-depth knowledge of welfare benefits including those related to disability and sickness
• An understanding of the issues facing people affected by long-term illness and disability, including cancer
• Understand, empathise and be committed to the Citizens Advice aims, principles and equal opportunities policies

Closing date: 9.00am Monday 8th February 2021

Interviews: Thursday 11th February 2021

For further information and an application pack please go to our website.

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, an employer matched pension contribution up to 10% salary, and training and development opportunities to continue your professional development.

Citizens Advice Southwark is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Money Advice Worker to join us based in London. You will join us on a full time, fixed term contract (lasting 12 months) and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £27,041 per annum plus pension and other benefits.

About the role:

We have recently secured funding to recruit a Money Advice Worker to enable us to deliver this much needed service to our clients. This post sits within our Client Development Team consisting of Employment and Training services, Mentoring, Welfare Rights, Destitution services, Immigration legal services, Private Rented Sector Housing support and the Irish client’s service. The Passage has been delivering Money Advice services to clients since 2004 and has a longstanding relationships with Financial Institutions.

Our Money Advice Worker will assist clients to be better able to manage their finances and to ensure their income is maximised including identifying which benefits they are entitled to and by engaging in therapeutic group work.

Key responsibilities of our Money Advice Worker will include:

- Carrying out client assessments and formulate action plans aimed at maximising their income and minimising their debts
- Together with the Group and Engagement Worker, setting up and running appropriate groups for instance:  Gambling, Budgeting and Money management
- Assisting clients with basic debt advice and help them talk to creditors, debt recovery agencies, fines officials, benefit deduction orders, the child maintenance service and other like bodies
- Assisting clients to open bank accounts and reactivate dormant accounts where appropriate
- Assisting clients to assess their pension entitlements via the BR19 service
- Assisting clients to recover any outstanding assets due to them
- Assisting clients by performing ‘better off calculations’ so that they can tell how much they need to earn or earn and claim in order to make employment economically viable
- Identify with clients when this level of Money Advice is insufficient and refer to appropriate alternative services

Our ideal Money Advice Worker will have the following skills, experience, and knowledge:

Experience

- Experience of delivering money advice on a one to one level
- Experience of working with people who exhibit challenging behavior
- Experience of working with and referring to partner agencies
- Experience of devising and monitoring personalized action plans with clients
- Experience of advocating on behalf of clients. 

Knowledge

- Intermediate level knowledge of the benefit system, particularly ESA, JSA and Universal Credit
- Knowledge about working with monetary addictions like impulse buying and gambling
- Knowledge of the Credit Services Agency, code of practice
- Knowledge of different types of bank accounts particularly, basic bank accounts, jam jar accounts and Post Office Card Accounts
- Knowledge of debt management, particularly Individual Voluntary Agreements and other less formal repayment plans on the market

The Closing date: 1st February 2021 at 10am 

The interview date: 11th February 2021

If you would like to join us in the role of Money Advice Worker, please click ‘apply’ now – we would love to hear from you!

Reprieve has ambitious and exciting plans towards realising our vision for the world, and the Development and Outreach Team is responsible for ensuring we have the funds needed to achieve our goals. The Grants Fundraising Officer will be directly responsible for developing a pipeline of prospective funders and generating new income from trusts, foundations and statutory bodies (with a focus on the US and in Europe), whilst managing and maximising a portfolio of grant relationships and building the profile of Reprieve and our partners through applications to relevant awards.

We are looking for an experienced fundraiser with a strong track-record of successful applications to charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies, and someone with the professionalism, energy, creativity and drive to seek out and make the most of funding opportunities. You do not necessarily require experience in raising funds for human rights causes, but you do need to be able to rapidly get to grips with Reprieve’s key areas of work and the impact we seek to achieve, and be able to articulate this to donors in a way that is accessible, accurate and compelling.

The Development and Outreach Team is a small and close-knit team, so you will need to be both self-sufficient and a team player. You will regularly collaborate with people across Reprieve, from caseworkers, to the finance team and operations, as well as local partners and fellows. You will be an excellent communicator with a passion for Reprieve, and the willingness to muck in on all tasks big or small in order to ensure that Reprieve is in the best position possible to keep delivering justice and saving lives.

For full details and information on how to apply please see the job description and person specification.

Location: Tower Hamlets
Salary: £26,000- £29,000 per annum dependent on experience
Hours: 37.5 (full-time)
Contract: Fixed Term Contract 
Vacancy Reference: SWA3028

Closing Date: 21st January 2021
Interview Date: 29th January 2021

Solace is an innovative, exciting, grassroots charity working across London. Our purpose is to bring to end the harm done through domestic and sexual violence to all survivors, and in particular women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

About the Service
Tower Hamlets Solace Advocacy and Support Service (SASS) provides advocacy and support to survivors of DVA with the aim to reduce risk and harm.  Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

About the Role
We are looking for an experienced floating support worker to join our dynamic team in Tower Hamlets, working with people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with external agencies in particular housing options.

As the housing floating support worker you are responsible for carrying out risk and needs assessments, safety planning and providing short term support and intervention to victim/survivors of domestic violence presenting at Tower Hamlets housing. In addition to this you will build relationships with, and provide advice and guidance to, housing options staff. 
 

About You
You will need a passion for working with victim/survivors and a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on women and their children, as well as experience of providing emotional and practical support and strong casework management skills.
You will have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning. You should have demonstrable experience of working as a caseworker or similar position with this or a similar client group.

In return, we offer great employee benefits including three per cent employer pension contribution, generous holiday entitlement and a focus on learning and development.

Benefits Advice Lead

We are looking for an exceptional self-starter for a benefits Advice Lead role, to provide specialist benefit advice to advisers and service users.

Our client is a compassionate, dynamic and community-focused charity working to alleviate poverty caused by problem debt and lack of financial capability. If you are passionate about helping people, then this role could be for you. It is much more than just a job - you'll get to see peoples' lives changed and dignity restored!

Internal Job Title: Welfare Benefits Advice Lead

Location: Flexible location, between central London and home based

Salary: £25,000-£33,000 p.a. (FTE) depending on experience

Benefits: 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays), 3-6% pension contribution depending on service

Contract type: Permanent, 3-5 days a week (flexible working options available)

Closing Date: Monday 1st February 2021

About the Role:

As Benefits Advice Lead you will act as a point of expertise in the area of welfare benefits for both our client’s team of advisers and service users. In time, the post holder will also be expected to manage their own cases and lead appointment sessions.

Our client is a faith based charity, their biblically inspired mission is to ‘Restore Dignity and Renew Hope’ to those in the community brought down by poverty and debt. As Benefits Advice Lead you will play your part in bringing this vision to reality, supporting clients through what at times can be emotionally difficult situations, to get back on their feet and realise their full potential.

They are currently looking to expand the support they are able to provide into specialist benefits advice. Whilst they already support many clients with benefit issues already as part of their debt advice work, they require a specialist in this area who will be able to provide support to debt advisers on more complex areas as well as work directly with clients supporting them with benefits casework.

About you:

To be successful in the role of Benefits Advice Lead you will have previous experience in providing welfare and benefits advice, with experience of managing complex cases and supporting people though appeals procedures.

You will also need to bring with you the following transferrable skills and experience:

• Previous experience of debt advice, including as a volunteer
• Experience of problem-solving, with excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritise work
• Good IT skills and a strong command of the Microsoft office suite
• A strong ability to show empathy, compassion and patience
• Up to date and wide knowledge in the field of welfare and benefits issues would be advantageous

Above all else our client is looking for an individual who is keen to support and play their part in implementing their vision and be an enthusiastic advocate of the work they do to alleviate poverty. They are a faith based charity and although being a practicing Christian is not an occupational requirement, they are looking for someone that is comfortable with their Christian ethos and champion its core values. If this sounds like you, then apply today with a CV and covering letter explaining how you are a good fit for the role!

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Welfare Advisor, Debt Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Benefit, Debt & Money Advisor, Debt Recovery Advisor, Debt Service Coordinator and Adviser, IVA Advisor, Senior Advisor, Housing Advisor, People Advisor, General Advice Caseworker, Community Coordinator, Community Action Worker, Telephone Advisor, Operations Executive, Caseworker Supervisor, Senior Benefits Manager, Benefits Lead, Social Welfare Adviser, Benefits Specialist, etc.

As part of your application you will be asked to provide an up to date CV, if you are then shortlisted you will also be asked to provide a cover letter that addresses the following points:

• Your motivation for applying for the role
• Why you believe you have the necessary skills
• How you would feel working for a faith based organisation

Housing and Care Executive (Maternity Cover)

12 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Circa £39,000 salary and benefits

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, and facilitates the provision of help and support for ex-RAF personnel and their eligible dependants who are in need of assistance.  Part of that help is providing help to maintain the homes of our beneficiaries through grants and loans for essential repairs and adaptations. Additionally the Fund provides assistance associated with residential and domiciliary care and equipment (including electronically powered mobility vehicles (EPVs) and wheel chairs) to maintain independent living.

We are seeking a compassionate and highly organised individual to provide maternity cover within the Housing and Care teams, who deliver housing and independent living solutions as part of our overall support for the RAF family. Working within a team of welfare executives, you will have responsibility for identifying the needs of beneficiaries, delivering appropriate assistance within delegated spending authority and presenting higher value applications to the Grants Committees of the Fund. In addition to an ability to handle welfare casework, the Housing and Care Executive is involved in the administration of the Fund’s loans, which requires working with beneficiaries and solicitors, to ensure that our loans are correctly administered. 

The successful candidate will need to have relevant welfare experience and preferably some experience of property management and of working with Community Care legislation and Welfare rights, although relevant training will be provided. An articulate communicator with IT skills suited to working in a paperless environment, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to relate to people of all ages, especially vulnerable beneficiaries, in a manner which is conducive to relieving stresses and concerns through holistic consideration and delivery of welfare solutions. 

A detailed job profile is available on the Fund’s website. For an informal discussion about the role please contact Em Rogers, Head of Housing & Assurance.

To apply, please send your CV together with a covering letter detailing why you believe you are suitable for this role and providing examples of how you meet the person specification to HR Services, RAF Benevolent Fund, 67 Portland Place, London W1B 1AR.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 22 January 2021.  Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually via a video conferencing platform on Tuesday 26 January 2021. 

Due to the high number of applications expected, only those longlisted will be notified. 

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is a Registered Charity (No. 1081009) which encourages applications from all sections of the community.

MAIN SUMMARY OF ROLE:

Managing and executing, with other Housing and Care Executives, all aspects of charitable assistance from the RAF Benevolent Fund concerned with housing matters, the administration of loans, funding of residential and / or domiciliary care and equipment.  Provision of support, help and advice to enquirers who need assistance to maintain independence with safety and dignity in daily living.

• Processing applications for financial assistance associated with housing repairs & adaptations from former members of the Royal Air Force, their widows and other dependants.
• Processing applications for financial assistance associated with residential and domiciliary care and / or equipment (including electronically powered  mobility vehicles (EPVs) and wheel chairs) from former members of the Royal Air Force, their widows and other dependants
• Managing casework through Main/Small Grants Committees and within their delegated authority.
• Primary administration of loan applications and the securing and discharge processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The position of Housing and Care Executive has wide professional and administrative responsibilities. Key tasks include the following:

1. Responding to initial contacts from applicants either by telephone, letter or email, arranging a home visit by a voluntary caseworking organisation, and where appropriate, the submission of an application form.
2. Acquiring a working knowledge of major state benefits and awareness of the availability of assistance from other sources e.g. state, local government and other charitable organisations.
3. Responding to oral or written queries from government departments, the public, potential applicants, helper organisations and charities, informing Head of Housing & Assurance/Director Welfare as necessary.
4. Reviewing and rejecting applications where the applicant is ineligible or where the assistance sought is outside the scope of the Fund and its policies. Considering whether charitable support by the Fund is appropriate and assessing the potential costs involved.
5. Processing of applications for financial assistance with house repairs, adaptations or improvement, ensuring that all information necessary to enable Committees to form a proper judgement is available, resolving anomalies and rectifying omissions and errors as necessary.
6. Processing applications for financial assistance towards the cost of providing specialist equipment within an applicant’s own home, ensuring that, if necessary the Disabled Facilities Grant process has been followed and a relevant Occupational Therapist (OT) assessment has been completed before grant funding is considered.
7. Processing applications for financial assistance towards the cost of residential and domiciliary care. Ensuring that Local Authorities are meeting their obligations and that all avenues have been explored before grant funding is considered. This also includes processing of applications for short term respite breaks and WINGS breaks.
8. Processing applications for assistance with mobility-related issues, liaising with OTs, the Fund’s EPV preferred provider and other organisations as necessary in order to achieve an effective outcome for the beneficiary.
9. Liaising with public authorities on the level of support obtainable to beneficiaries.  Wherever practicable, assisting and advising caseworkers to undertake such enquiries on behalf of the Fund. Referring applications to the Benefits and Advocacy team before consideration by Committee or where there is a concern that level of state support might be below entitlement.
10. By using personal, delegated financial authority, authorising expenditure within the agreed budgetary limits of up to £3,500 for welfare cases.
    • Where this is inadequate or where Fund policies require that the case be considered by the Small Grants or Main Grants Committee, preparing the case for consideration by the relevant committee.
    • Where appropriate, seeking additional contributions from other charities.
    • Notifying Helper and applicant of outcomes.
    • Arranging payment of grants or loans via Helper or direct to (Homes/Social Services/solicitor/beneficiary according to the requirements of the case)
11.  Preparing and dispatching all correspondence arising from these decisions to ensure that Fund assistance awarded is disbursed without delay in accordance with Fund policies.
12.  The securing, review and redemption of loans, executing Deeds of Postponement and loan transfers.  The management of loan health checks with specific reference to assessment of affordable repayment levels and pursuit of serial arrears
13.  Advising beneficiaries and caseworkers on housing matters including repairs and adaptations, and clarifying issues related to loans and mortgages.
14.  Actively maintaining and updating accurate computer records including creating payments utilising CARE and Filehold, including a statistical record of caseload for use in case presentation and for recording decisions.
15.  Undertaking other tasks not related to specific casework as directed by Head of Housing & Assurance / Head of respite and Care / Director Welfare.

DEVELOPMENTAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Visits to related welfare organisations.
2. Progressive acquisition of appropriate specialist knowledge through structured training.
3. Development of practices that assist the Fund’s objective of paperless working

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE:

Essential

• Deciding and Initiating Action – making prompt, clear decisions involving difficult assessments, working under own direction
• Analysing - analysing data, probing for further information and making rational judgements from the available information and analysis
• Presenting and Communicating information – speaking clearly and fluently, expressing key points, projecting credibility and undertaking presentations with skill and confidence
• Writing and reporting – writing clearly and succinctly, in a well-structured and logical way
• Applying expertise and technology – applying specialist knowledge and developing expertise through continual professional development
• Planning and Organising – managing time effectively, meeting deadlines and prioritising workload

Desirable

• Relating and Networking - establishing good relationships with colleagues, beneficiaries and external contacts, relating well to people at all levels
• Adapting and responding to change – demonstrating flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances, accepting new ideas
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives – accepting and tackling goals with enthusiasm and demonstrating a strong work ethic

QUALIFICATION(S), KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE

Academic / Professional Qualification(s) or equivalent:

Essential

• Educated to A level standard (grades A to C) or equivalent

Desirable

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Health & Social Care qualification

Knowledge / Experience:

Essential

• Significant experience of grant making within a welfare environment
• Excellent IT knowledge, including Outlook, Word and Excel
• Experience of working within a case management system

Desirable

• Working knowledge of the RAF.
• Working knowledge of the State Benefits system.
• Housing or Property Maintenance background.
• Experience of working with Community Care legislation and Welfare rights
• Knowledge and experience of mobility aids and equipment, including statutory entitlements

Skills / Abilities:

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including a sympathetic and practical telephone manner.
• Excellent administration and organisational skills.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to sympathetically discern between those matters essential to case development as distinct from matters of only peripheral relevance.
• Emotional intelligence – able to get others to do willingly and well what is required, with an emphasis on team working
• Flexibility to change/resilience

Desirable

• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to produce own correspondence.
• A flexible approach to work, colleagues and change initiatives.
• Demonstrable presentation skills.

Other Requirements:

• To carry out any other duties that are within the scope of the job as requested by Head of Housing and Assurance.
• Required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service check.

The Bertha Justice Fellowship Programme trains the next generation of social justice and movement lawyers by funding two-year Fellowships at the best public interest law centers around the world, where emerging lawyers receive practical training from renowned professionals.

The Bertha Justice Fellow will apply their legal qualifications and their strategic thinking to Reprieve’s Legal and Policy work as a member of the Policy Team. The Policy Team seeks to support the Casework teams in engaging with legislative processes in the UK and the US and in our other geographic focus regions (Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia) as needed, and in helping research, develop, and advocate for changes in government policies that impact our cases.

This work is a key element of Reprieve’s three areas of focus: the death penalty, extrajudicial executions, and secret prisons. The Policy Team works closely with Reprieve’s UK Litigation Team to provide strategic advocacy and other support to our ongoing legal work. This includes providing assistance on a number of ongoing public law challenges in pursuit of Reprieve’s policy goals.

This role will involve all areas of Reprieve’s policy work. It is highly desirable for candidates to have some knowledge and experience of the countries of the MENA region, as well as proficiency in Arabic.

For more information on the role, including how to apply, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/2WCekCy.