Outreach caseworker jobs in central london, greater london

At Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network we’re looking for someone to join us as our Senior Legal Aid Advisor. We will always stand by people standing up to an unjust immigration system. We provide a safe haven for people to rebuild their lives and our Senior Legal Aid Advisor role is a key part of that. Sitting in the immigration team, you will work on our Legal Aid contract alongside a team of Immigration Advisors working on a mix of grant funded projects for migrants unable to afford private representation. You will work within a supportive environment, reporting to our Immigration Manager, and be able to develop your areas of expertise. We’re a small and colaborative team so you will have the opportunity to work closely with other members of the organisation. 

Main Roles
Manage a full caseload of complex immigration matters funded by legal aid, including
asylum, human rights, and deportation cases.
Ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations (IAAS, SRA, LAA).
Complete funding applications, manage provider submissions, track time, prepare
and submit legal aid bills and ensure compliance with LAA obligations.
Provide ad hoc supervision, mentoring or training to members of the immigration
team working on related immigration matters.

Specific Duties
1.Manage a full caseload of complex immigration matters funded by legal aid,
including asylum, human rights, and deportation cases.
a.Manage a complex caseload across the field of immigration, nationality and
asylum law.
b.Prepare, draft and file appeals to the First-tier and Upper Tribunals and conduct
appeals hearings as required.
c.Own legal aid processes for each case: complete funding applications, provider
submissions, billing, time recording and compliance with funder requirements.
d.Provide expert legal advice and represent clients in hearings; instruct counsel
when necessary and manage counsel budgets.
e.Interview and advise clients regarding immigration and asylum law procedure, and
practice in a sensitive and professional manner.
f.To maintain accurate and detailed case records of clients for the purpose of
continuity of casework, information retrieval and statistical monitoring, using
Advice Pro as appropriate and as required by management.
g.Advocate on behalf of clients by telephone, letter and email with appropriate
agencies.

2. Ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations (IAAS, SRA, LAA).
a.Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in line with IAA, IAAS
registration or similar professional body, e.g. SRA
b.Keep up to date at all times with changes in the law by reading and attending
training events relating to asylum and immigration.
c.Adhere to casework procedures as outlined in LRMN’s policies, the IAA, SRA,
IAAS, SQM and AQS.
d.To maintain accurate and detailed case records of clients for the purpose of
continuity of casework, information retrieval and statistical monitoring, using
manual or/and computerised systems (Advicepro) as appropriate and as required
by management.
e.Produce reports to meet funder’s and LRMN requirements.
f.Work closely with the Immigration Manager and/or external evaluator in gathering
data and information to produce accurate monitoring and evaluation reports.
g.To assist LRMN in liaising with its funders and to provide statistical information
and updates as required.

3. Complete funding applications, manage provider submissions, track time, prepare and
submit legal aid bills and ensure compliance with LAA obligations.
a.Complete initial funding applications and any subsequent variations or
exceptional funding requests; gather and upload supporting evidence; ensure
eligibility and means assessments are correctly recorded.
b.Submit and monitor claims through the LAA portal (or other relevant portals),
respond to queries or requests for further information, and liaise with LAA
caseworkers or contract managers as required.
c.Draft detailed bills in the required format, check calculation of fees and
disbursements, obtain necessary approvals, and submit within contractual
deadlines.
d.Maintain documentary proof to satisfy LAA audit requirements (attendance
notes, advice records, evidence of means), respond to audit enquiries, and
implement remedial actions where required.

4. Provide ad hoc supervision, mentoring or training to members of the immigration team
working on related immigration matters.
a.Maintain close liaison with the Immigration Manager to ensure a unified approach
to leading and developing the team.
b.Provide occasional mentoring or supervision to individuals working on legal aid
cases.
c.Provide occasional training to individuals working on legal aid cases.

5. Other Duties
a.To participate in LRMN staff meetings, maintaining a high level of professionalism
and contributing skills and knowledge towards best practice for the organisation.
b.To attend supervision and appraisal meetings and other relevant activities.
c.To be able to perform your own administrative duties.
d.Work flexibly as agreed to meet the demands of the service – this may involve
occasional evening, weekend and outreach work.
e.Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the work of the organisation.
f.Comply with LRMN’s policies and procedures.
g.Adhere to LRMN’s vision and mission and positively promote its work.
h.Undertake any other work as may be reasonably requested.