Refugee Education Coordinator Jobs in Croydon, Greater London

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. We recently launched our new strategy – you can read it hereOpens in a new window. It sets an ambitious new 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. 

The Role 

 This Casework Coordinator role is based within the Services Directorate.  In part, this directorate focuses its support on refugees who have been recognised as having protection needs and have been granted permission to stay in the UK but are now struggling to rebuild their lives in a new and unfamiliar country. Many need advice and guidance in areas such as housing, health, welfare support, education/training and employment.

The Refugee Council’s Private Renting Scheme is based in London and has been delivering specialised support to new refugees wanting to access private rented accommodation in London since 2012. Working with private landlords and other housing providers our Private Renting Scheme creates tenancy opportunities for new refugees and provides support and advice to ensure tenancies are suitable and sustainable.

The postholder will work with private landlords and other housing providers to secure tenancies for clients. The postholder will also provide casework support to clients, ensuring they are ready to secure and sustain a tenancy. This will involve providing casework support dealing with the key issues of housing and welfare benefits.

 The Casework Coordinator will work closely with others to ensure we effectively manage and support our caseload of clients and run an effective advice service. This role will take responsibility for the progression of its own caseload with the support of volunteers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Advice and Advocacy Work 

• To provide face to face advice and support to adult refugees in a sensitive, confidential and professional manner which fully understands the needs of the individual.
• To create links and work effectively with private landlords and other housing providers (such as housing associations, housing cooperatives, low needs housing providers) to create accessible, suitable and sustainable tenancy options for clients.

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 ensure volunteers act as advocates for new refugees, ensuring these are taken into account by other agencies. 

General 

• To recruit, manage, supervise and train volunteers who provide invaluable support in the day-to-day delivery of the service.
• To participate in Refugee Council working groups, management meetings and special projects as the need arise 

Closing date: 19 April 2024

Haringey Migrant Support Centre is a community-based organisation, with over a decade of experience supporting migrants in Haringey and neighbouring boroughs.  We provide free and professional advice, casework, referrals and signposting on issues relating to immigration, housing and welfare. We also have a Community wellbeing space and advocate for change through policy and campaigns work. HMSC has a staff team of 9 people. We are supported by a team of 40 volunteers.

We run a busy service which is responsive to a fast-changing environment. We are looking for an Operations Coordinator to lead on all aspects of the smooth running of the office, financial and organisational administration and premises management as well as taking a key role in our external communications.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a small, busy organisation, and must be confident taking a lead on their own work. You will be part of a committed and friendly team, with the opportunity to develop new skills, contribute to the organisation’s direction, and gain a thorough understanding of HMSC and the wider sector. This role will suit someone who is very well organised and values the importance of excellent administration and process management in underpinning the success of a people-facing community team. You will work at the heart of the organisation, and across different teams, to play a pivotal role in ensuring HMSC is able to assist hundreds of migrants approaching the service every year.

Working for HMSC: Staff terms and conditions include a supportive probationary period, contractual sick pay scheme, Pension scheme, and generous leave of absence allowances.

You can find out more about HMSC and the work we do on our website.

To apply, you will need to submit the application form by 9am on Monday 6th May. Late applications will not be accepted. Interviews will take place in the week beginning 13th May. 

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network, which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use information and resources on their website which may help in preparing your job application.

We are seeking a dedicated Youth Worker to join our team and make a positive impact on the lives of young people from refugee backgrounds in our community. In this role, you will have the opportunity to inspire, mentor, and support young individuals in their educational journey while promoting a culture of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

About Katherine Low Settlement

Katherine Low Settlement is a charity that has been serving Battersea and the wider Wandsworth community since 1924. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and enable people to challenge and find ways out of poverty and isolation.

We run a range of our own community projects to tackle poverty and isolation, and empower and support children, young people and their families, older people, women and refugee communities. We campaign for social change. We also incubate and support local charities and social businesses to thrive, so together we can meet the diverse needs of the local communities of Wandsworth. Each week we work with 28+ charities supporting more than 1,000 people. 

About KLS Love to Learn team

Since 2004, KLS Love to Learn education team of 10 part-time staff and over 100 volunteers, have supported thousands of young refugees and their families in Battersea and the London Borough of Wandsworth to thrive in their education. Through mentoring, family support, casework and homework clubs, we provide the tailored support each young person and their family/carers needs to overcome the barriers to education they face at home and school. 

Key Objectives:

Homework Clubs and Mentoring:

• Assess eligibility for Love to Learn.
• Obtain updated consent information.
• Develop session plans and source resources.
• Engage youth with interactive activities.
• Encourage participation and uphold behavior policy.
• Maintain records and safeguarding practices.
• Foster relationships with youth agencies and services.
• Assist Lead Youth Worker with post-16 club.
• Support Volunteer Coordinator in mentor matching.

Trips and Activities:

• Collaborate on annual activity programme.
• Plan and execute holiday and term-time activities.
• Assist with summer programme organisation.

Teamwork and Reporting:

• Coordinate with team members and external agencies.
• Contribute to reports and meetings with funders.
• Communicate effectively within KLS teams.

Other Duties:

• Engage in regular supervision and appraisals.
• Practice anti-discriminatory and empowering principles.
• Adhere to confidentiality, safeguarding, and equal opportunities policies.
• Conduct professional duties in line with KLS values.

If you are passionate about making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of young individuals, shaping their futures, and empowering them to reach their full potential, then join us. Together, let's inspire, mentor, and support the next generation, building a brighter tomorrow for our community.

Dates

Closing Date for Applications: 9.00 am on 26th April 2024

Interview Date: 3rd May 2024

BACKGROUND

Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

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, a programme that is rapidly growing.

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

Job Description

The IRC UK’s Finance Team seeks to achieve excellence in financial management by providing accurate and timely financial information to IRC management and programs and by adhering to established financial practices and accounting principles. We do this by supporting the UK office; by implementing and monitoring IRC and donor policies and procedures; leading financial forecasting and planning, proactive risk management; consolidating financial results; and ensuring reliable financial reporting (internal and external).

The Finance Assistant – Operations assists the UK Finance team in delivering its objectives and providing effective support to IRC UK. This position works closely with the UK Finance and Operations department, wider UK office and suppliers. Furthermore, the incumbent plays a key role in ensuring that Finance remains a critical organizational business partner delivering accurate, insightful, and timely financial management information.

The role is part of the UK Finance Team and reports to the Finance Manager – Operations.

Major Responsibilities

•  Maintain accurate files for supplier invoices, staff expenses claims, petty cash and credit card expenses

•  Assist in maintaining an up to date – London Finance mailbox, ensuring mails are dealt with in a timely manner.

•Check and prepare invoice journals for all direct debits and ensure supporting invoices and approval are filed.

•  Assist with NATWEST bank income and payment journals and the bank reconciliation.

•  Post invoices and credit notes in Integra (Dynamics 365), ensuring authorization, budget codes and supporting documents have been provided in a timely manner for payment runs.

•  Reconcile supplier statements to creditor accounts in Integra and follow up any queries to ensure they are dealt with in a timely fashion

•  Arrange travel advances for staff, check all staff expense claims for compliance with IRC-UK Travel Policy and reconcile against advances in Integra.

•Reconciliation of credit card expenses in Integra.

•Prepare correction journals and post on Integra

•Prepare the weekly payment run as directed and ensure bank sign off staff are allocated well ahead of the run.

•Participate in the development and delivery of plans, goals, objectives, and priorities for the UK Finance Team and undertake other duties as assigned.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

•Knowledge of accounting demonstrated by an accounting qualification such as AAT or part Qualified Accountant. We would consider an AAT trainee/apprentice for the role as well.

•Excellent written / verbal communication skills, and follow-up skills.

•Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving skills

•Advanced MS Excel skills

•Excellent attention to detail; data driven

•Able to work with diverse teams in diverse locations, engaging their input and dedication to success.

Bonny Downs Community Association has been working together to change lives and transform our community since 1998. Over the past 25 years our team has grown to provide a wide array of services that benefit Newham residents from all walks of life. 

This role is specifically funded through the Youth Endowment fund as a pilot project ‘Thriving Communities’. You will be required to work alongside Thriving Communities commissioners, as well as the project’s Youth Justice Worker’s, Educational Psychologist, and/or professionals assigned to individual young people’s cases- such as teachers, social workers and mentors. The Thriving Communities project is a small part of a wider collaborative project, EMPOWER YOUTH, delivered by two partner charities so, although this position is based at BDCA, you will be working closely with a second East Ham Youth Partnership Project lead and team of Sessional Assistants based at nearby charity The Renewal Programme (TRP). Staff from each organisation will work together to deliver the programme and cross-refer young people to activities led by both teams. You will also be required to work with BDCA’s own Children & Families team during the summer scheme and liaise with our marketing team all year round. External partner agencies that you will work directly with include Thriving Communities panel, Newham Youth Empowerment Service, Newham Community Engagement Team, local sports clubs and schools.

LMK (Let Me Know) Youth Leader (Freelance Educator / Youth Worker) 

• Across London boroughs 

• £200 per 2hour workshop 

• Sessional 

• Available for a minimum of one delivery per month, pending workshop demands

About LMK

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK is a registered education charity on a mission to change that. We run workshops educating young people about healthy and unhealthy behaviours, so that they can avoid abuse and thrive in relationships. 

Using film and guided discussions, our workshop leaders support children and young people in honest conversations about relationships and leave them better equipped to spot the early warning signs of abuse and inspire them to enjoy healthy, fulfilling relationships.  We explore the 10 signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and include practical lessons young people want to learn about (like consent) and practice scenarios in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment. 

LMK is a learning organisation and prides itself in supporting leaders to develop their skills. We offer training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, as well as peer-to-peer learning and reflective practice sessions.

Job Description 

LMK is looking for passionate and organised educators (LMK Leaders) to run community workshops, aimed at young people aged between 11 and 24. Through engaging, relatable, workshops you will help young people identify signs of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours, provide strategies for them to recognise the early warning signs of abuse and give them tools to keep themselves and their friends safe. 

The minimum hours required per workshop is 3 hrs. This includes arriving 30 minutes before delivery, 1.5 to 2 hrs delivery and then remaining back 10 minutes and being accessible to young people who would like further information or a one-to-one conversation, surrounding the subject of relationships.

There is also 30 minutes admin, which is usually completed off-site, such as inputting student surveys and a Leader survey.

Responsibilities 

• Always adhere to LMK and partner safeguarding practices and procedures.

• Respond to comms (emails/WhatsApp) sent out by LMK core team members, in a timely manner, to support planning and organising of sessions.

• Meet with co-facilitators to carry out pre-session planning, minimum two working days before delivery.

• Plan and deliver interactive LMK workshops in educational, sports and community settings in line with LMK delivery style and ethos.

• Use your experience and knowledge of the issues affecting young people to tailor the workshops accordingly. 

• Ensure all youth participants and the adults in school/community organisations who attend a LMK workshop complete the post session feedback surveys.

• Complete reflective post session Leader surveys to support practice and programme development, after each workshop.

• Debrief with LMK’s Programme Manager and provide ongoing feedback about your sessions, through LMK’s reflective practice processes.

• Undertake relevant training associated with LMK’s work including but not restricted to child protection, safeguarding, violence against women and girls (VAWG).

• Continue to learn about and develop your skills on the issues affecting young people’s relationships including domestic violence, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, trauma informed practice, gang culture and grooming, mental health, sexual exploitation, consent, sharing of nudes /sexting, bullying in person and online, tech and online safety, pornography.

• Provide feedback and co-design training and educational resources on issues affecting young people and their relationships, including opportunities to share your knowledge and expertise at peer-to-peer learning sessions.

• Attend termly virtual Leader huddles to remain connected to peers and organisational values, mission, and purpose.

• Contribute towards and keep up to date with LMK internal/external communications platforms, such as LMK Newsletters and social media.

• Engage with LMK’s Youth Advisory Board Members, if and when invited to do so.

• Lead by example and promote healthy relationship behaviours in your own lives/communities and within LMK (team player; acknowledging and working with diversity; being receptive to new ideas and developmental feedback, etc)

• Use your own networks to recruit new schools and youth groups into the programme.

• Drive forward our evaluation programme - collecting data, as well as providing on-going feedback to LMK.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience of teaching or working with young people (9 to 24 yrs old) in an educational, sports or community setting.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience co-designing, delivering and evaluating group sessions, consisting of minimum, of 12 and maximum of 30 participants.

• Experience or co-designing session plans and co-facilitating with others; able to collaborate equally with others.

• A strong commitment to young people and knowledge and understanding of issues affecting their relationships.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows young people to speak freely about their relationships and experience.

• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to deliver sensitive information whilst treating young people’s concerns with respect.

• Capable of maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries with young people, peers, and professionals.

• Able to adapt and be flexible in workshops to get the best engagement from a range of participants. 

• Skilled at facilitating virtual workshops and working with a selection of online portals. 

Requirements 

• Entitled to work in the UK.

• Hold a DBS certificate or be willing to let us undertake a check on your behalf. 

• Have a recent safeguarding qualification from a recognised provider or be willing to undertake additional training in this area.

• Flexibility to work non-traditional, after-school and occasional weekend / holiday hours.

• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality, data protection and reporting concerns to an appropriate person.

LMK strives to create a fair and healthy environment where all our colleagues feel valued and able to be their authentic selves at work. We understand that our people have commitments and personal interests outside of work and so we create a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.

LMK values the differences that a diverse workforce brings and is committed to inclusivity. We welcome all applicants from any race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, sexuality, or any other protected characteristic.

We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. Please let us know, by contacting us separately if you need any adjustments or changes to be made during the recruitment process because of a disability or long-term health condition.

You can learn more about how we handle your personal data and your rights by reviewing our privacy notice LMK Privacy Policy