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We are recruiting for a Visiting Caseworker to join our outstanding Visiting Caseworker Service!

About the role
Our Visiting Caseworkers focus on supporting and advocating for vulnerable or complex applicants, offering a broad range of services including advice, advocacy, support, income maximisation, mediation and partnership working. You will be supporting and advocating for applicants in challenging situations to achieve long-term sustainable solutions for Anglican clergy households. Managing a caseload of about 70 households per year, some requiring intensive or long-term support, the caseload will be varied where you will provide advice related to benefits, NHS, social care, education, local services, and accessing grant support. Some complex cases may require support with DWP appeals, education-related tribunals, and statutory complaints.

This role requires flexibility, breadth of knowledge, and strong advocacy skills to make a tangible difference for those served.

We are keen to hear from you if you have significant knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas:
1. Local authority and other statutory support, such as Social Service Assessments and services, complaints, DFG entitlements.
2. NHS services, including continuing health care for either children or adults.
3. SEN education advice, including SEN support, EHCPs and SENDIST tribunals.

Key responsibilities:

1. Receive referrals from new and existing grant applicants via the Grants & Services team, for potential casework and home visits
Assess and prioritise urgent cases on a weekly basis.
Review eligibility (income, savings, property and proof of ministry), to determine whether applicant is eligible for grant support (with help from Grants & Services team).

2. Conduct home visits (or online meetings)
Provide thorough assessment of current situation, taking into consideration time available and wellbeing of the applicant.
Conduct general income maximisation check (welfare benefits, grants check etc), where necessary.
Ensure all state benefits are applied for, giving assistance where needed, including mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and complaints.
Identify, discuss and escalate (to Designated Safeguarding Officer) any safeguarding concerns within the household (for children and adults at risk).
Gather information in order to create individualised action plans with the primary applicant and other household members.

3. Develop an action plan
Complete a brief written summary of the visit or meeting including an action plan for possible areas of help and support with allocated responsibilities and agreed timelines.
Liaise with other agencies where necessary and refer to our own partnership support services if appropriate.
Where appropriate research and identify any local support groups, organisations, charities that may help applicants engage with local community, for longer-term support if needed.
Consider and recommend most appropriate grant support through our own internal grants programme.
Advocate on behalf of the applicant with other external agencies or members of the Church where necessary.

4. Follow-up
Manage and update action plans / notes, while keeping in contact with applicant, as required.
Encourage and empower applicants to complete their actions and know when to step in, as and when necessary.
Manage expectations of household by closing action plans and to encourage future communications through the grants and services team. If new issues arise a new VC case may be opened.

Applicants must demonstrate significant experience of working within a charity / not-for-profit or grant making trust or local authority, supporting individuals and families with complex health and care needs, elderly, or vulnerable applicants, face-to-face, online and over the phone.
Experience and knowledge of the welfare benefits system, with the ability to identify and support claims is essential.

You will possess excellent problem solving and prioritisation skills and the ability to gently influence and persuade with a belief of empowering individuals together with experience and knowledge of safeguarding, with the aptitude of knowing when to escalate concerns. 

If you are a dynamic, solution-focused, empathetic, casework professional who wants to make a significant difference to Anglican clergy and their families, we look forward to hearing from you.