Esol jobs

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking an experienced and compassionate ESOL Coordinator to support our Community Hub Project. You will coordinate ESOL volunteers and resources, manage referrals and assessments to place users in classes, and administer registrations using RAK systems. Working closely with the Community Hub Manager, you will help deliver a blended ESOL programme that supports community integration, confidence and language development for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Key responsibilities 

• Coordinate ESOL referrals, assessments, attendance and class allocations. 

• Welcome service users and communicate class information and reminders. 

• Induct, support and coordinate ESOL volunteers. 

• Support lesson planning and learner engagement in ESOL and wider community opportunities. 

• Maintain accurate, confidential records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation. 

• Ensure Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and safeguarding policies are followed. 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Recognised ESOL/EFL qualification or equivalent. 

• Experience working with refugees, people seeking asylum or vulnerable adults. 

• Strong communication, organisation and digital skills. 

• Understanding of Equality and Diversity. 

• Commitment to RAK’s aims and values. 

Desirable 

• Additional community language skills 

• Lived experience of migration or ESOL systems 

Equality & inclusion 

RAK is an equal opportunities employer and actively welcomes applications from under‑represented groups. We are committed to accessible recruitment and will make reasonable adjustments where required. 

Appointments subject to right‑to‑work checks and Enhanced DBS. 

Closing date:8th May 2026 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and interviews may take place before the closing date. 

What is the main purpose of their role?

The Operations Manager sits within a team of six managers who are responsible for providing the strategic lead for all the activities of Suffolk Refugee Support. This is a senior operational role with responsibility for overseeing key programme areas including HR and facilities, volunteering, our ESOL provision and our International Women’s Group. The role will also oversee the development of SRS’s Client Partnership work, ensuring this is shaped through co-production with the clients we work with, supports strong external relationships, and is delivered through an effective, outcome-focused work plan. Working closely with staff, trustees, partners and clients, the postholder will contribute to the effective management and ongoing development of the organisation.

The role line manages a team of Officers and Coordinators responsible for specific programme areas, ensuring that the activities within their remit are effective, compliant and responsive, meeting both the charitable aims of SRS and the needs of the asylum seekers and refugees we support.

What will the job entail?

Among other responsibilties, you’ll be overseeing the function of the organisation and its strategic development by using knowledge of needs of clients, gaps in existing services and opportunities as they arise, working with the Management Team to agree funds required for services to be run and delivered, liaising with Trustees, developing and managing client focused activities, developing and managing operational areas of work and providing strategic and operational oversight to our Client Partnership work.

What you will need

• At least two years’ staff and project management experience in community, voluntary sector or social care settings; or other proven relevant management experience
• Experience of managing staff including delivery planning, performance monitoring, practising HR & disciplinary processes, and motivating positive work environments
• Experience of developing, managing and evaluating programmes to meet identified needs using imaginative ideas and making efficient use of restricted resources
• Experience of using/developing assessment tools to monitor service outputs and outcomes
• Knowledge of laws and policies applicable to Human Resources management
• Knowledge of safeguarding, data protection and equality good practice
• Strategic planning skills with the ability to work in conjunction with the Charity Manager and management team to agree plans of work for the whole organisation to maximise impact for clients
• Proficient in using all MS office applications and CRM or data management system, (experience with Charitylog or similar database platforms preferred)
• Conscientious, calm, and well-organised with the ability to keep the balance between short & long-term tasks/goals
• Proven ability to write concise and informative reports that are appropriate to the target audience, and which summarise a large amount of information
• A strong commitment to Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
• Commitment to people in the asylum system and insight into their experiences
• Confident, friendly manner and the ability to put people at their ease
• Flexible approach and willingness to occasionally work outside the office in various settings and some evenings if needed (by agreement)

For the full list of essential criteria see the recruitment pack.

 About us

Suffolk Refugee Support aims to ensure that all asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk are enabled to live integrated, fulfilled and contributing lives in their new communities. We provide a welcoming environment where clients can access help, advice, support and practical services in order to be healthy and safe and begin to rebuild their lives. We work with external agencies, community and voluntary sector organisations, health providers and others to enable our clients to access a range of support. We are based in Ipswich, but our services operate increasingly on location with refugees and asylum seekers housed in accommodation across Suffolk.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

BACKGROUND

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role

The Senior Integration Officer will provide team leadership for longer-term integration casework for refugee households—including both adults and children—resettling in Hampshire under the UK Government Resettlement Programme. This includes the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Community Sponsorship, and other eligible schemes. The role focuses on households in their second year onwards of engagement with the service (following completion of the initial resettlement period).

The Senior Integration Officer line manages two Integration Officers and holds a 50% capacity caseload (including complex integration cases), providing reflective supervision, case direction and oversight of safeguarding cases. The postholder will maintain oversight of case management standards, support planning and Outcomes Star use, data quality, and performance reporting in line with contractual requirements. 

Key Working Relationships

This position will work closely with all staff involved in the delivery of the Hampshire Resettlement and Integration Support Service. This will include the Programme Manager (Resettlement and Integration), Senior Resettlement Officer, Integration Officers, Bilingual Integration Officer, Bilingual Resettlement Officers, Refugee Employability Caseworker, ESOL Coordinator and Senior Community and Engagement Officer. 

Externally, the position will build and maintain strong working relationships with our partners, Citizens Advice Rushmoor, statutory services, commissioned providers, and voluntary and community sector partners across Hampshire. The Senior Integration Officer will represent the service at multi-agency forums, strengthening referral and escalation pathways (including for safeguarding and complex needs), and will work with partners to highlight systemic and individual barriers to independence and longer-term integration outcomes for resettled households.

This role is line managed by the Programme Manager with a dotted-line reporting relationship with the UK Safeguarding Advisor on safeguarding matters.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Support to Households (50% caseload capacity)

• Hold a 50% capacity caseload, including complex or high-need integration cases, providing direct one-to-one support and modelling best practice.

• Provide tailored strengths -based casework support to refugee households in years 2 onwards, supporting progression towards independence and reduced reliance on intensive services.

• Where applicable, provide bilingual support and where not possible work effectively with interpreters to ensure clear, accurate and culturally appropriate communication.

• Deliver and/or lead group-based integration sessions and workshops that support access to information, peer learning and opportunities related to longer-term settlement in the UK.

• Lead on partnership development and maintenance (including with Citizens Advice Rushmoor and other local partners), strengthening referral and signposting pathways and coordinating access to services and resources that enable clients to meet their short- and long-term goals.

• Support the completion and regular review of individual Support Plans using the Outcomes Star tool, with a focus on progression, goal-setting and exit planning.

• Advocate, verbally and in written form, on behalf of clients with service providers and statutory agencies, and support escalation and problem-solving where required.

Team support and quality assurance (40%)

• Line manage two Integration Officers, including setting objectives, providing regular reflective supervision, supporting wellbeing and professional development, and completing performance review processes.

• Provide case management support and oversight, including reviewing Individual Support Plans/Outcomes Star use, ensuring timely case notes, and embedding strengths-based, trauma-informed practice.

• Support team coordination and consistency, including agreeing priorities, balancing workload, supporting cover arrangements, and promoting learning and continuous improvement.

• Provide coaching/training and on-the-job support to strengthen delivery. 

Safeguarding

• Serve as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns and record all incidents promptly and confidentially in the CRM. 

• Complete initial risk assessments using the matrix and manage low/medium-risk cases in line with the IRC UK Safeguarding SOP, escalating to the Project Manager for supervision and closure. 

• Escalate high-risk concerns immediately to the UK Safeguarding Advisor and seek guidance on complex or unclear cases. 

• Oversee programme safeguarding across delivery: track actions/outcomes, participate in weekly case reviews, engage partners, and promote staff understanding of reporting procedures. 

Key administrative tasks and ways of working (10%)

• Ensure timely and accurate compliance with all reporting requirements, including oversight of database management, case noting and file maintenance, with a focus on evidencing client progress and outcomes in line with data protection and contractual requirements.

• Monitor data quality across the team, implementing checks, addressing gaps promptly and supporting the Integration Officers to maintain consistently high documentation standards.

• Coordinate and support project logistics (as needed), such as arranging venues, preparing materials for group sessions, and ensuring accessible delivery across partner sites.

• Provide flexible administrative support to meet project needs, including contributing to internal reporting and contract performance monitoring.

• Attend and contribute to multi-agency coordination meetings and service development discussions, bringing operational insight to improve longer-term integration support.

• Regularly gather and act on client and partner feedback to improve service quality, accessibility and responsiveness, and support continuous improvement across the team.

• Carry out all duties in accordance with the aims, values and policies of the International Rescue Committee, in particular in relation to safeguarding, confidentiality, impartiality and equal opportunities, relevant legislation and contractual/donor requirements. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

Essential

• Demonstrated ability to lead on longer-term integration delivery, supporting clients to move towards independence, providing operational guidance, coaching and support to staff members to ensure consistent, high-quality, outcomes-focused casework.**

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, partners and clients in English.

• Sound understanding of safeguarding principles and risk management processes, with the ability to exercise professional judgement and provide appropriate guidance in complex or sensitive situations. **

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to navigate and maintain a wide range of internal and external partnerships.

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.

• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience leading meetings or trainings via online platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

• Ability to work flexibly both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

• Ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area and, where required, to attend partner locations and multi-agency meetings.

Desirable

• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto or another relevant community language, enhancing culturally responsive engagement and reducing reliance on interpretation where appropriate.

Experience:

Essential

• Significant experience supporting refugees, asylum seekers or other vulnerable populations through structured integration pathways, including progression in employment, education, financial stability and community participation. **

• Proven line management, supervision or team leadership experience for diverse staff within a casework, social care or integration-focused environment, including responsibility for case oversight, performance support and professional development. **

• Strong working knowledge of UK statutory and voluntary sector systems and services.

• Significant experience using Client Management Relationship systems and leading data quality assurance processes. This includes implementing routine checks and controls across case records and client management systems, ensuring timely corrective action and maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.

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