Duties and Responsibilities:

Development:
 To identify and develop support and safety strategies to meet the needs of women
and children seeking support through BSWA’s Home Options Hub
 To work in partnership with West Midlands Police force in developing the support
service around DVPN/Os.
 To work with the manager to develop and implement appropriate practice guidance,
including information sharing protocols
 To set up referral pathways and build up links with potential referral agencies
 To keep abreast of issues regarding domestic violence on a national and local level,
including legislative changes that impact this work.
 To participate in multi agency work as agreed with your line manager.
 To explore the development of volunteering opportunities within the Project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Development:
 To identify and develop support and safety strategies to meet the needs of women
and children seeking support through BSWA’s Home Options Hub
 To work in partnership with West Midlands Police force in developing the support
service around DVPN/Os.
 To work with the manager to develop and implement appropriate practice guidance,
including information sharing protocols
 To set up referral pathways and build up links with potential referral agencies
 To keep abreast of issues regarding domestic violence on a national and local level,
including legislative changes that impact this work.
 To participate in multi agency work as agreed with your line manager.
 To explore the development of volunteering opportunities within the Project.

Duties and Responsibilities
Support Work:
 To work in partnership with mothers/carers to identify children and young
people’s support needs and to ensure those needs are met.
 To undertake needs analysis for each child and young person, to ascertain
the level of support needed and the type of activities required to meet their
needs.
 To develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of one-to-one and group
therapeutic and play sessions, and shared activities within refuge.
 To provide school holiday play schemes in refuge.
 To supervise and accompany children and young people on trips and visits
outside of refuge.
 To provide one to one support and family support with families living in the
community.
 To seek approval of all programmes with the refuge manager and ensure that
these are discussed with other relevant members of the staff team before
implementation.
 To participate in the development of informative literature for women and
children, including a children’s introduction pack, which is to be kept up-todate.
 To purchase/hire such equipment as necessary to undertake programmes
within budgetary constraints and with approval from the refuge manager.
 To carry out appropriate methods of communication with women, children and
young people living in refuge to keep them informed about opportunities and
updates on work that is taking place, including house meetings.
 To carry out detailed monitoring and evaluation of all support work, and keep
an accurate record of notes and comments in line with relevant legislation.
 To communicate regularly with mothers/carers about the work with their
children.

Welfare Benefits Caseworker  in South Worcestershire:

Part of the Citizens Advice / Macmillan Cancer Support Team.

Hours: 21 hours over 3 days Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

This position is currently funded until 31st December 2024.

Salary: £20,800 FTE 37 hrs  pro-rata = £11,806.35

Full clean driving license and own car is required

Travel expenses will be fully reimbursed at £0.40p per mile.

Purpose of Post:

Provide an effective advice service to people affected by cancer, their carers and families.

The service will be delivered in settings appropriate to the client group in South Worcestershire including outreach in health and community settings, home visits and by telephone.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advice/Casework

• To provide a holistic, accessible and in-depth advice service, tailored to individual circumstances for patients, families and carers.
• To provide advice to clients on welfare benefits including establishing entitlement, help with claims, assistance with reviews and appeals as required. Advice Caseworkers will also provide advice on other related issues as required and where necessary refer to specialist case workers within Citizens Advice as appropriate.

• Explore options and implications so the client/s can make decisions.
• Negotiate with third parties, including statutory and non-statutory organisations as required.
• Act for the client/s where necessary by representing them.
• Drafting or writing letters and telephoning third parties on behalf of the client/s 
• Work within the organisations confidentiality policy
• Refer clients to other agencies as appropriate for specialist help with the issues that fall outside the remit of the organisation
• Liaise with Advice Session Supervisors to ensure Citizens Advice Quality of Advice requirements are met and that Project Volunteers are well supported.

Administration

• Maintain detailed computerised case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring.
• Ensure all work conforms to the organisations systems and procedures.

• Review and make recommendations for improvements to the service provided

Service design and development

• Assist with setting up and delivering appropriate outreach services.
• Ensure that all work conforms to the CLS General Help Quality Mark Standard and work towards Specialist Level in Year 2 of the project.
• Attend project group steering meetings as required and undertake a regular service review with relevant representatives from Macmillan and Citizens Advice.
• Gather statistics and feedback in order to monitor and evaluate the service, providing reports as required to the steering group, funders and partners.
• Assist with initiatives for the improvement of the service to the community.
• Receive and provide practical guidance to other workers and volunteers carrying out work with this client group.

External Networking

• Develop working relationships and  network with other professionals in the advice work field and represent the project at meetings with agencies as appropriate
• Attend and participate in any relevant forums as detailed by Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Professional Development

• Keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies, and procedures relating to post.
• To undergo relevant training and personal development in order to develop skills and increase knowledge and understanding of cancer and its treatments, and its im pact on people affected by cancer and their ability to access financial help.
• Attend internal and external meetings as required.
• Read relevant publications.
• Prepare for and attend regular supervision sessions.
• Take part in the Wyre Forest & Worcester Citizens Advice annual appraisal process.

Other duties and responsibilities

• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues. Work within home visiting guidelines.
• Any other relevant duties as required to ensure the effective provision of the advice service.
• Maintain close liaison with relevant external agencies/personnel.
• Uphold the aims and principles of Wyre Forest & Worcester Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.

Social Policy and Monitoring

Support Wyre Forest & Worcester Citizens Advice social policy work by proving case studies and feedback on issues of concern to people affected by cancer.

erson Specification

Macmillan / Citizen Advice – Advice Caseworker

Experience

• Recent, substantial and relevant experience of advice work.
• Experience of representing clients.
• Experience of managing own caseload.
• Experience of welfare benefits and advice casework.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Demonstrate 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.
• Knowledge of or willingness to gain an understanding of generalist advice including basic money advice.
• Knowledge of or willingness to gain an understanding of Macmillan Cancer Support ’s services and policies, and others which are relevant to people affected by cancer.
• An understanding of  and  commitment to the Aims and Principles of Wyre Forest and  Worcester Citizens Advice services including the organisation’s equal opportunity policies.

Skills and Abilities

• Good oral and written communication skills with particular emphasis on negation and representation skills on the telephone.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing with particular emphasis on negation and representation skills and preparing reviews, reports and correspondence.
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to work with a wide cross section of the public.
• A flexible approach to work.
• The ability to work some unsocial hours and travel.
• Ability to work without close supervision, to prioritise own work and meet deadlines.
• Numeracy to the levels required in the tasks.
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information.
• Ability and willingness to use information technology to facilitate the work as appropriate.
• An ordered approach to casework and an ability and willingness to follow set procedure concerning casework and file management..
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager 

Salary: £31,423

Location: Warwickshire

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.  For more information on our work view our website.

The role involves working closely with people experiencing forms of gender based violence that are escaping domestic violence.

You will also assist the domestic violence services manager in the delivery and development of high quality independent advocacy, outreach, peer mentors and refuge services for victims escaping domestic and sexual violence.

You will have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support, and of managing case work. In addition you will have experience of managing and motivating staff, knowledge of domestic violence issues, experience of providing support to women, and experience of working in either a women’s refuge or residential setting. A recognised social work, housing or management qualification would be desirable.

As member of the management team the post holder will take part in an out of hours on call rota.

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.

Refuge offers: a competitive salary with annual progression within points of the salary grade; 28 days annual leave increasing to 30 days; a pension scheme that includes a 6% employer contribution; as well as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Closing Date: 9:00am 16th August 2021

Interview Date: 1st September 2021

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

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

Job Title - Advocate

Contract – Fixed Term (6 months with the potential for extension) 

Hours -Part-time 15 hours per week

Salary - £8, 656.28 per annum (£20,198 FTE per annum)

Location – Homebased located within Shropshire

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Coram Voice

Coram Voice is the leading specialist provider of advocacy and children’s rights services for children and young people in and on the edge of care. We support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in society, giving voice to the voiceless and reaching out to those who have missed out on the support they need. Join us as we work to transform the lives of children and young people by supporting them to uphold their rights of to actively participate in shaping their lives.

Coram Voice was established in 1975 and in 2013 joined the Coram group of charities which develops, delivers and promotes best practice in the support of children and young people. Coram’s vision is that every child has the best possible chance in life.

We have around 60 employed staff, 100 self-employed advocates and independent persons, and 70 volunteers deliver services to children and agencies throughout the country. Together they provide Coram Voice with a high degree of specialist expertise in the fields of advocacy, children’s rights, mental health, complaints, secure accommodation and experience of working with children in care, in custody, in need and those who have recently left care.

Every day we make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people in and on the edge of care across the UK. Our advocacy teams are based Nationwide and are made of up of experienced community advocates who work alongside our specialist advocates (who focus on direct work, supporting and developing good practice with young people who are homeless, 16+, or have a disability).

About the Role

You will work directly with children and young people providing advocacy and other children’s rights support which will empower and support them to navigate the care system. You will provide advocacy support for looked after children, children on Child Protection plans and care leavers involved with Shropshire Council.

You will be a capable ambassador for Coram Voice with the ability to engage effectively with professionals, foster carers, commissioners, other stakeholders and most importantly children and young people.

If you have the necessary experience and skills and a commitment to promoting the rights of young people, we would like to hear from you.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: 28th June 2021, 9am

Interview date: 7th July 2021

Coram (entity) is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applicants from Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds to join our teams. Whilst we have a diverse team we recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and families we help.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Do you have an understanding of drugs and alcohol and health related issues, the Recovery Agenda and experience of working with adults or young people in an addictions or social care setting? Would you like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with? Welcome to Aquarius as a Senior Practitioner.

Aquarius is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. We know that recovery can look and feel very different to each and every one of us. But we also know that if we provide the right support, at the right time, we can inspire recovery nationwide and that recovery is possible for everyone.

The Solihull SIAS service (Solihull Integrated Addiction Services), is a partnership between the lead partner Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT), Welcome, Changes UK and Aquarius. The service provides Drug and Alcohol substance misuse treatment and recovery support for adults and young people across Solihull, as well as homeless outreach, and floating support to clients who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed. SIAS have a good track record of service delivery with the addiction service being recommissioned in 2018 and the vulnerable housing service being re commissioned in 2020. Within SIAS, Aquarius lead on Brief interventions, Family support, training and homelessness.

Right now, one of our partners, Aquarius Action Projects, is looking for a Senior Practitioner to join their team in Solihull. Aquarius helps people overcome the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling working closely with individuals, family and friends. But it’s only possible with the help of people like you.

This is an exciting post funded to develop and deliver a proactive engagement service to people at risk off offending and in order to prevent involvement in crime. The Team will be focused on delivering targeted support to women, 18-25 year olds, and offenders in order to encourage them into training, education and diversionary activities.

Your challenge? To undertake a portfolio of cases, generally incorporating the more complex situations, and deputise for Service Managers as and when required. Supervising the work of Practitioners and Support Workers will be important too, as will prioritising activities and monitoring service delivery, outputs and outcomes and providing guidance, training and clinical supervision. And, all the while, we’ll expect you to work in a way that recognises and values diversity and make the most of your understanding of the functional model of alcohol, the model of change and CBT.

To succeed, you’ll need a professional qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g. NVQ Level 4 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies).  Alternatively, we’ll consider candidates with experience of working in the substance misuse field with a commitment to complete NVQ4 Health and Social Care or equivalent. In addition, you will have experience of managing caseloads around safeguarding children as well as an awareness of safeguarding processes. Knowledge of the functional model of alcohol use is also required, together with knowledge of primary, secondary and other outreach settings. As comfortable engaging with clients as you are supervising staff, delivering training or liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies, you have a flexible approach, a commitment to the principles of confidentiality and excellent office IT skills (Microsoft Office).

There are two posts available, both are full-time roles requiring the post-holder to work 37 hours per week.

Both roles are fixed-term for 12 months.

The salary for this role is £24,184.00 - £29,211.00 per annum (under review).

Closing Date for applications is 5th August 2021. (We reserve the right to close vacancies before the specified closing date, should a large number of applications be received).

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.  

So, are you ready to take on this rewarding role that comes with some really great benefits? Apply now via our website.

Purpose of the Job:

• To provide professional and effective OISC regulated casework as well as advice, guidance and support to a broad range of RMC’s service users.
• To assist/support the team and the management to meet the needs of the beneficiaries and achieve targets.
• To support and supervise colleagues on a lower level of OISC regulation and designated volunteers.
• To deliver presentations and represent RMC at meetings/events when required by management.
• To take responsibility of projects related to the job

Principal Tasks

Working within the team

• To ensure the requirements of OISC are respected and met during the delivery of immigration-related advice and casework.
• To assist the senior colleagues and managers in order to drive efficiency, quality, systems improvement and target achievement.
• To supervise and/or manage colleagues on a lower level of OISC-regulation and designated volunteers.

 Casework and advice

• To offer advice & casework to service users with various aspects related to their immigration case.
• To deliver the appropriate level of casework either independently or under supervision, depending on the level of OISC registration.
• To provide appropriate support and mentoring to any caseworkers and/or advisors that are under this role’s supervision.
• To maintain confidentiality in all dealings with service users and ensure their needs are met in a satisfactory and sensitive manner.

Other

• To be responsible for the day to day delivery of specific projects if requested by the Senior Management Team–this is flexible and could change depending on the nature of funding.

• To represent RMC at external meetings and events when required by senior colleagues. 
• To maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Flexibility

• In order to deliver the stated aims of this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties will fall within the scope of the job within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed

___________________________________________________________________

Job spec

• OISC Level 1. Essential.
• Commitment to working towards OISC Level 2. Essential.
• Experience of advice work dealing with asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants. Highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to distressed clients. Essential.
• A proven high standard of communication skills, including written, oral, presentational and inter-personal skills. Essential.
• Ability to produce high quality written work to deadline, organisational skills and the ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload. Essential.
• Commitment to equality and diversity. Essential.
• An ability to self-motivate and work independently. Highly desirable.
• Experience of working in a multicultural environment and sensitivity towards other cultures. Highly desirable.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent. Desirable.
• A proven record of team work and flexibility. Desirable.
• Excellent listening skills and ability to empathise as well as establish boundaries to avoid emotional over involvement. Desirable.

Fluent in a community language. Desirable