Senior Caseworker (Asylum Clinic & Legal Aid)

Refugee Legal Support is recruiting a Senior Caseworker to join our UK legal team in London. The role combines managing our asylum pro bono project, working with law firm partners, with a caseload of asylum and immigration work under our legal aid contract, including appeals and judicial review. The candidate will be expected to take a leadership role in our two strategic objectives of supporting people who have been displaced by climate change and those who have been criminalised on arrival in the UK.

Purpose of the role 

The Senior Caseworker manages our asylum pro bono project so that clients receive high-quality representation and partner firms are well supported. We run this project with eight commercial law firms, supervising and training their lawyers to assist asylum seekers. The clinic has two specific focuses: climate displacement protection claims and supporting cases of people who have been prosecuted on arrival in the UK. 

For the other half of the role, the postholder manages a caseload of asylum and immigration matters under RLS's legal aid  contract, from initial claims through to appeals and judicial review. 

At RLS, community work underpins all our legal work. The Senior caseworker will be expected to participate in legal outreach sessions with the community outreach team at asylum accommodation centres and partner locations. 

Key responsibilities 

1. Asylum pro bono project 

• Manage RLS's asylum pro bono project day to day and act as the main point of contact for partner firms' pro bono teams. 

• Assess and register referrals, carry out conflict checks, allocate cases to partner firms, and monitor progress, key dates and deadlines. 

• Give pro bono lawyers technical guidance and case support on asylum law, procedure and evidence.  

• Review refusals, advise clients on challenges and reapplications, and take on appeals where appropriate. 

• Design and deliver training for pro bono lawyers. 

• Maintain project systems, record project data accurately and provide project updates for funder and partner reports. 

2. Casework and representation  

• Manage a varied caseload of asylum, protection and human rights matters, progressing cases efficiently, strategically and in the client's best interests. 

• Prepare appeals to the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal 

• Prepare judicial review work, including pre-action correspondence, evidence and claim documents, working with the UK Casework Lead and counsel. 

• Instruct counsel and experts where appropriate, using RLS's approved provider list, and consult clients on their selection. 

• Give clear, accurate and accessible advice, including to clients who need interpreters, have complex needs or have experienced trauma. 

3. Legal aid, compliance and quality 

• Open, progress, close and bill files in line with LAA contract requirements (controlled and licensed work), the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) and the RLS Legal Aid Manual. 

• Apply merits, means and evidence requirements correctly, and make funding applications, including Exceptional Case Funding, where needed. 

• Work towards agreed billing targets. 

• Keep accurate, up-to-date records on RLS's case management system, including key dates. 

4. Team and wider contribution 

• Share legal updates and case learning with the legal team, and support colleagues through case discussion. 

• Run trainings for the wider sector, on a needs basis  

• Identify policy issues arising from casework and the project, and contribute to evidence gathering and strategic work where appropriate. 

• Participate in community legal sessions six times in the year/at least once per quarter. 

5. General responsibilities 

• Carry out the role in line with RLS's policies, including equality and diversity, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety. 

• Take part in supervision, file reviews, legal team meetings and appraisals. 

• Maintain your practising certificate and/or IAAS accreditation, and complete at least 6 hours of training each year, including at least 3 hours in immigration law. 

• Undertake other duties reasonably required and in keeping with the nature and seniority of the post. 

Person specification 

• IAAS Level 2 Senior Caseworker accreditation or solicitor with a current practising certificate  

• Experience of managing an asylum and human rights caseload, experience of working within an LAA contract, including matter starts, merits and means tests, and billing  

• Ability to manage a project alongside a caseload, including referrals, case allocation and monitoring 

• Experience of coordinating pro bono projects or working with commercial law firms; experience of supporting, mentoring or supervising other lawyers (desirable)  

• Strong knowledge of UK asylum, immigration and human rights law, Tribunal procedure 

• Excellent drafting, legal research and case preparation skills; ability to instruct counsel and experts effectively 

• Ability to deliver clear, practical training to lawyers 

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage deadlines and keep accurate records; excellent written and verbal communication in English; strong relationship management skills; good IT skills, including case management systems 

• Experience of working sensitively with vulnerable and traumatised clients 

• Commitment to RLS's mission, to the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum, and to equality and diversity

• Right to work in the UK; willingness to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (RLS covers the cost)