Refugee Caseworker Jobs

ABOUT ASYLUM AID

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum. We have built an expert service, delivering vital and life-saving services in some of the most complex legal cases, with a particular speciality working with unaccompanied children, Survivors of trafficking, torture or other forms of human cruelty,  and stateless people. Our vision is that all those in need of protection from persecution and other forms of human cruelty in the UK can obtain it, and are treated fairly and with dignity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Children and Young People’s Solicitor and Senior Caseworker at Asylum Aid, you will primarily work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking child (UASC) and young people (under 25), providing end to end representation on their asylum, human rights and trafficking claims. You may also undertake age dispute challenges and other judicial review work on behalf of your clients. You will combine this work, which will account for approximately 70% of your time, with conducting other immigration matters, including adult asylum claims, family reunion applications and statelessness applications. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the wider work of the Asylum Aid team, delivering high quality legal services on the full range of protection and trafficking issues that affect migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. You will conduct asylum casework under legal aid funding, with a specialist focus on representing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people, and contribute to policy and strategic legal work to promote the rights of children and young people in the asylum system. 

 You will be a qualified solicitor or Immigration caseworker with IAAS Level 2/Senior Caseworker accreditation and have significant experience in publicly funded immigration work under a Legal Aid Agency Contract. You should have, or be able to obtain, Level 2 Children Safeguarding. 

As is the nature of this sector, the role will be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Asylum Aid Director, supervisors and the surrounding team, they should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment.

Equal Opportunities

The Foundation and Asylum Aid is an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates as we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in at every level within the organisation.  We particularly welcome applications from those with BAME backgrounds and with lived experience of the UK immigration system.

Please note you must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and an enhanced DBS check.

If appointed you will be required to give your consent to Asylum Aid to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment. 

Please submit an up to date CV and covering letter by 9am on 25 April 2024. Your application should outline your relevant skills and experience, as well as how your previous experience matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role. In setting the salary regard has been had to the NCJ payscales.

Interviews are scheduled to be held during the week commencing 6 May 2024 at our offices in central London. For any queries, please contact Monika Nollet, Director of Legal Casework at Asylum Aid. 

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage. No agencies.

About RLS 

RLS is a UK charity and a non-profit company in Greece (AMKE). 

Refugee Legal Support works in solidarity with people who migrate. We operate in the UK, France and Greece, promoting and protecting rights through legal support, casework, litigation, engagement, training and partnerships. We advocate for safe migration and oppose discriminatory immigration systems and policies.

RLS has held a legal aid contract in the UK since 2023. 

About the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (APBI)

The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative is a specialist casework project delivered by RLS with funding and pro bono assistance from 14 leading commercial law firms. It is a project delivered in partnership with SPI. 

Firm pro bono lawyers are trained and supervised by the project’s two full-time supervising lawyers so that they can then assist with legal casework.

APBI has two core components. The team delivers legal information and support to and within the Afghan community, working together with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to ensure wide access. While the project also provides high quality legal representation in a range of cases for this community. This includes family reunion, the ARAP scheme, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and others. 

APBI then aims to respond to the increased need for legal information, advice and representation of Afghan nationals and their family members forced to seek protection and reunion with family in the United Kingdom following the Taliban takeover. The project is now going into its 3rd year, and won the Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership Award at the Law Works Pro Bono Awards in 2022 as well as being nominated and commended for numerous other awards in 2022 and 2023. 

The casework of this project feeds into strategic research, policy and advocacy efforts to make existing ‘safe’ routes to protection (in particular refugee family reunion and resettlement schemes) more accessible and effective, advocate for their expansion and defend the fundamental rights of people on the move by influencing policy and decision making. 

Litigation arising out of the project is actively pursued (where eligible) under RLS’s legal aid contract to push for better decision-making, secure results for individuals and pursue improvements in the relevant law, policy and practices. 

RLS recognise that pro bono legal work is always an adjunct to, and not a substitute for, an adequate system of publicly funded legal services. 

Key responsibilities and objectives

The post holder will be a staff member of Refugee Legal Support. They will be a participant within the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative project team, which comprises two lawyers (the other being at SPI), a coordinator and a Community Engagement and Research Lead in addition to the volunteer lawyers from the individual commercial firm partners. 
 

Key responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload and provide high quality legal advice and representation to clients;

• Supervise the work of volunteer pro bono commercial lawyers on cases;

• Deliver training to pro bono commercial lawyers;

• Ensure that all legal work is promptly and accurate recorded on RLS’s case management system and keep relevant time recording; 

• Develop and disseminate relevant information on legal developments in this area for relevant stakeholders, including both the Afghan Community and building the capacity of other practitioners;

• Work in close collaboration with the other project Lawyer/s to develop and share experiences and best practice in relation to all aspects of casework (legal, evidential and procedural) and relevant internal processes;

• Work in close collaboration with the Legal Director, Programmes Manager and Coordinator to ensure that appropriate steps to achieve the aims and objectives of the project are taken, including ensuring that relevant data is obtained and assisting with the timely completion of the project Operational Plan/s;

• Work in close collaboration with the APBI Coordinator and Programmes Manager to contribute to the production of materials such as project periodic reports, information on emerging and strategic issues in relation to ‘safe’ routes for use in advocacy, content for newsletters, social media posts and articles to raise awareness of the project and its aims and outputs;

• Participate in, and contribute to, RLS’s monitoring, evaluation and learning framework;

• Be an active member of the RLS team participating in team meetings at both the UK and International level: engaging in a collegiate and collaborative environment that includes participating in the development of a new and exciting legal organisation; 

• Be an active and collaborative member of the APBI Project team together with the other Lawyer/s, Coordinator and Community Engagement and Research Lead;

• Work in close collaboration with the Community Engagement and Research Lead to contribute to the production of information sheets and other materials to disseminate to the Afghan community/ies;

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR;

• Adhere to RLS safeguarding policies and procedures at all times. 

Person Specification

Essential

• Be either a member of the Bar, a solicitor and accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, accredited to IAAS Senior caseworker level, or OISC accredited to Level 3;

• Experience of asylum casework;

• Experience of refugee family reunion procedures and applications, including applications outside of the Immigration Rules reliant on Article 8 ECHR and other human rights provisions;

• Experience of online immigration applications; 

• Demonstrable knowledge of legal aid provision and ECF applications; 

• Demonstrable supervision experience; 

• Experience of and commitment to working in a collaborative way on legal cases;

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English;

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines;

• Strong attention to detail, responsiveness, reliability and dependability;

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills and an ability to deal professionally and collaboratively with both legal and not-for-profit stakeholders;

• Computer literacy;

• Right to reside and work in the UK;

• Enjoy working with a small team in a flexible and fast-paced environment, as well as being an independent self-starter able to work with a high degree of autonomy;

• Have a strong commitment to upholding the human rights of asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees; 

• Commitment to the aims of the project and the values of RLS.

• The successful candidate will be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (we cover the cost). However, a criminal record is not a barrier to the role. 

Desirable

• Those with lived experience of navigating immigration systems are strongly encouraged to apply and will be favourable considered;

• Experience of legal aid casework; 

• Experience of conducting immigration appeals and/or public law litigation; 

• Experience of supervising commercial lawyers in a pro bono project setting;

• Experience of preparing and delivering training;

• Interest in collaborating with non-legal colleagues to bring about systemic change;

• Working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto.

Founded in 1951, the Refugee Council exists to support people who come to the UK in need of safety and speak out for compassion, fairness, and kindness.

We achieve this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of refugee community organisations, and working with allies across society to change government policy. Our vision for refugees to be welcome to live safe and fulfilling lives contributing to the UK has never been more urgent and needed. Today 27 million refugees and 84 million displaced people around the world need of safety, dignity and welcome. We are determined to secure public and government support for safe routes for all people seeking safety, and a fair, effective, and compassionate refugee protection system. Now is an excellent time to join the Refugee Council.

Our strategy – which you can read via our website, sets an ambitious direction which will see us defend refugee protection in the UK against the Government’s corrosive plans with refugees and like-minded allies, united in our desire to create a just, fair, and humane refugee protection system. It will also see us delivering direct services that improve people’s refugee protection journey through targeted advice and casework and strengthening and connecting Refugee Community Organisations with other service providers and advocates.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Service Development and Management 

• To work with the Head of Integration & Employment (I & E), Business Development and Fundraising departments to create opportunities for the Integration Service to grow in line with our Integration Service Model.
• To ensure services are well planned, managed and delivered to a very high standard in accordance with organisational and funder agreements.

Staff & Volunteer Management 

• To support the recruitment of all new staff required within Refugee Council working on the Integration projects.
• To line manage a wide range of service delivery roles in accordance with the Refugee Council’s policies and procedures including carrying out supervision and appraisal and staff development.

Specialist Advice, Advocacy and Influencing 

• To support caseworkers to provide specialist advice and support to adult refugees in a sensitive, confidential, and professional manner which fully understands the needs of the individual.
• To continually develop an in-depth understanding of the issues affecting newly recognised refugees with a view to becoming and retaining specialist knowledge of refugees and the barriers that can prevent them from integrating effectively.

Equalities and Diversity 

• To provide services with due regard for equalities and for meeting the needs of all potential and actual service users. Ensuring advice services are delivered in ways which are fully accessible and in a language that they can understand.
• To work with respect and tolerance for all colleagues, refugees, and contacts, and to value diversity and difference.

General 

• To participate in Refugee Council working groups, management meetings and special projects as the need arises.
• To carry out any other duties appropriate to grade and role.

For more information on the role and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button.

Candidates must address ALL of the points from the person specification as part of their application.

Closing date: Monday 6th May 2024.

Domestic Abuse Worker (Refuge)

Salford

Temporary - ongoing

Full time hours

To start as soon as possible

Morgan Hunt is working with a leading, national domestic abuse charity to recruit a Domestic Abuse Worker for their services in Salford. This is a full time, temporary role whilst permanent recruitment takes place and will involve working across two refuges supporting those fleeing domestic violence.

As a Domestic Abuse Worker, you will be responsible for;

• Managing an allocated caseload of women and children fleeing domestic abuse.
• Completing safety plans and risk assessments for those living within the refugee.
• Completing support plans personalised to the needs of those living within the refuge.
• Providing advice and guidance to those fleeing domestic abuse, whilst signposting to appropriate external organisations where necessary.
• Ensuring accurate, up to date case notes for each resident.
• Liaising with external agencies and professionals around the needs of each resident within the refuge.
• Ensuring the refuge is a clean, safe environment for those living within the refuge.
• Supporting residents with benefit applications and housing applications for long term accommodation.

The candidate - Domestic Abuse Worker

• Experience of supporting those fleeing domestic abuse.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and or other vulnerabilities i.e. severe and enduring mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse.
• The ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• An understanding of safeguarding and how to respond to safeguarding concerns appropriately.

As the role involves covering two refuges, the candidate will be required to driver. A current Enhanced DBS is also essential for this role.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment Business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to temporary vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer, job suitability are assessed on merit in accordance with their skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.

BACKGROUND 

The Helen Bamber Foundation is a human rights organisation with an international reputation for providing medical consultation, therapeutic care, legal protection, and practical support to survivors of trafficking and torture.  We are a team of therapists, doctors, lawyers, caseworkers and administrators who help men, women and children recover from the emotional and physical damage they have suffered because of torture, human trafficking, or other forms of cruelty.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE 

As  Psychotherapist within the Helen Bamber Foundation, you will work alongside our current Senior Psychotherapist and be responsible for supporting the Head of Therapies and the Team Manager in providing a comprehensive range of therapeutic interventions to clients of the Helen Bamber Foundation.

In addition to providing psychotherapy, stabilization, psychoeducation, and trauma focused therapy, this role will include delivery of psychological assessments for both medico-legal and clinical purposes, as well as delivery of clinical supervision to staff from non-clinical backgrounds who nonetheless have significant client contact, and supervision of assistant psychologists. As you develop in the role you will also have opportunities to contribute to the on-going development of the service and at times, the role may include input into policy, research and fundraising and delivery of consultancy and training. 

We are looking for someone who is committed to working therapeutically with individuals who have experienced human rights abuses and who have developed trauma spectrum disorders as a result. The successful applicant will ideally have proven experience in working therapeutically with this client group, have a passion for human rights work beyond the individual client work, and a desire to contribute to effecting change at a policy level.  This role requires the ability to be with the complex and sometimes harrowing details of a client’s experience, and to react and respond creatively and appropriately to their needs.Additionally, you will be knowledgeable and experienced in consultation and assessment including risk management, and have competence, or a commitment to receiving training, in at least one model of trauma therapy such as NET or EMDR.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid is an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates as we strive to ensure that our staff, trustees, volunteers, and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in at every level of the organisation. We actively welcome applications from people of colour, applicants with disabilities, applicants with lived experience of the asylum system, and from other minority groups.

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and a DBS check. This role will require disclosure of both the adult and child barring lists. If appointed, you will be required to give your consent to HBF to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment. 

Please submit an up-to-date CV and a covering letter by midnight on Friday 3rd May, outlining your relevant skills and experience, as well as how your previous experience matches the listed responsibilities and person specification.  Please state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role. Interviews are scheduled to be held the week commencing Monday 20th May.

For any queries, please call our numbers and ask to speak to Dr Kemi Komolafe or Dr Christina Curry

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage. No agencies.