Refugee support jobs

Job description

This is an exciting time to join Spires and play an integral part in delivering our new Croydon Day Centre, which we are delivering in partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) and CAYSH, with the support of MHCLG’s Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.

About us: Spires is a grassroots South London charity working with people impacted by homelessness to lead lives of greater stability. Our support workers provide non-judgemental and tailored advice and guidance to adults who are currently facing homelessness or are at risk. We support people to secure housing that is sustainable, suitable for their needs, so they leave homelessness behind for good.

Part 1:  The Role

This role sits within our Housing and Homelessness (H&H) team. The post holder’s work will centre around three days a week at the Croydon Day Centre, with two days working in the community, which will include working from our refugee drop-in delivery in partnership with Croydon Refugee Day Centre (CRDC). The post holder will also work at our H&H services in Lambeth and Wandsworth on occasion, and colleagues from those services will also support the running of the Croydon Day Centre. The post holder will work from our Stockwell Office on Wednesdays. 

Part 2: Key duties and responsibilities

Service Delivery & Support

· Welcome and engage service users in a non-judgemental, compassionate manner.

· Provide basic needs support such clothing, and access to a safe space.

· Offer advice, advocacy and signposting on housing, health services and other support agencies.

· Conduct assessments of need and develop personalised support plans.

Case Management

· Maintain accurate, confidential records of interactions and support plans.

· Liaise with housing teams, healthcare providers, social services, and other partners to coordinate support.

· Monitor individuals’ progress and update plans as required.

Centre Operations

· Assist with daily tasks such as setting up service areas, distributing supplies, and managing donations.

· Ensure safeguarding procedures and organisational policies are always followed.

Crisis Support

· Identify signs of crisis, risk, or safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately.

· Support individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health issues or substance misuse challenges.

General                                                                               

· Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance, and in identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.

· Undertaking other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff, including session cover

· Attend and participate in staff and team meetings and other meetings as required

This job description covers the current range of duties and will be reviewed from time to time. It is Spires’ aim to reach agreement on changes, but if agreement is not possible, Spires reserves the right to change this job description.

Part 3: Person specification

Essential experience

· Working with vulnerable and socially excluded people, particularly people experiencing homelessness or insecure accommodation and associated culture – drugs, alcohol, violence, mental and physical ill-health.

· Managing a caseload, needs assessment, planned support, key working, goal setting and advocacy.

· Experience of challenging appropriately and maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries

· Networking and effectively liaising with specialist service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve access to services for clients   

Desirable experience

· Working with volunteers

· Working in the charity sector and/or a day centre environment

Essential knowledge

· Sound understanding of the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people and the difficulties they experience in accessing services that are fully responsive to their needs

· Good understanding of safeguarding practices in a social care and/or day centre environment

· Good understanding of confidentiality and working with sensitive information

· Working knowledge of health and social care services

Desirable knowledge

· A relevant NVQ2/3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

Essential skills and personal qualities

· Excellent written and spoken communication skills

· Information and relationship management skills

· Ability to effectively manage time, work under pressure and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines

· IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and databases

· Non-judgemental with the ability to empathise

Part 4: Summary of terms and conditions of service

Location: The postholder will be an employee of The Spires Centre. This post is based at

Elmfield House 5 Stockwell Mews SW9 9GX. However, the post holder will be working across Spires’ drop-ins in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Croydon.

Probation: This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Notice: This post is subject to a four-week notice period.

Annual leave: The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per year pro rata, made up of eight bank and public holidays and 27 days annual leave. The 27 days annual leave is normally split between 24 ‘bookable’ days and three closure days that fall between Christmas and the New Year.

Pension: The Spires Centre will contribute 5% of annual salary for those who qualify for our group pension plan.

Other benefits: The Spires Centre will provide life and income protection insurance for those who qualify for our group plans.

Expenses: The role may require travel. Out-of-pocket expenses will be paid when incurred in accordance with our expenses policy.

Safeguarding: The postholder will adhere to The Spires Centre’s safeguarding policy for vulnerable adults. This post is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Why apply?

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected local charity at a pivotal moment in its development. You will have the opportunity to shape the organisation's future, strengthen its long-term sustainability and make a meaningful difference to the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum. 

We offer flexible working arrangements where appropriate, professional development opportunities and a supportive and committed Board of Trustees.

The role would suit someone with senior management experience who wants meaningful, flexible, part-time work;  someone looking for a stepping-stone into a more senior charity management role; and/or someone who wants a hands-on role in a small organisation where they will have autonomy and their contribution will be visible. 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.

Post outline

Location: Hybrid post. Part home-based, part at two locations in Rossendale
Salary: £35,900 pro-rata

Hours: 0.4 FTE  (flexible but must regulary include Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings). We are seeking funding to increase this to 0.5 FTE

Duration of Contract: Initially 12 months.  Likely to  be extended for at least 12 months, depending on funding.

Closing Date: 2nd September.Interview date: 9th September.

About Us

Rossendale Refugee Support Group is a small, community-based charity committed to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives in safety . We provide practical advice, advocacy, support and opportunities for social contact to individuals and families living in Rossendale.  We currently have a single employee who leads service delivery, and over 20 highly committed volunteers.

We provide two weekly Drop-in sessions for clients, one at Haslingden Link on Wednesdaymornings (offering casework and social opportunities) and one at Bacup Maden Centre on Tuesday mornings (offering casework only).

We are a small charity entering a significant stage in our development. Having established a strong reputation locally we have recently secured a Local Authority contract for delivering refugee advice services.  We are now seeking a Director who can lead the charity at a time of transformation, capitalising on our increased financial security to improve our offer, develop strategic direction, and establish the charity on a more sustainable footing.  There is more information on our website.

Key Responsibilities

· Strategic Leadership.  Work with Trustees to develop and implement future direction of the organisation.

· Partnership development. Represent RRSG and build partnerships with funders, community organisations, national bodies, and other stakeholders.

· Fundraising. Lead the development and delivery of the organisation's fundraising strategy, identifying funding sources, preparing high-quality funding applications and reports, diversifying and strengthening income streams.

· Operational management. Provide overall leadership and management of the charity's services, ensuring services are high-quality and responsive to clients’ needs.

· Line management. Responsible for the Service Delivery Lead postholder.

· Financial management. In partnership with the Treasurer and finance group, oversee financial management.

· Information systems. Oversee the management of organisational records and information systems, ensuring data security, accurate collection, analysis and reporting, to support quality improvement and decision-making.

· Website. Ensure website is kept up to date and developed according to needs.

· Governance. Oversee organisational policies, procedures and risk management, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, funders’ requirements and organisational policies.

· Casework. Provide input into casework service, normally a maximum one session/week, plus cover for absence of the Service Delivery Lead.

· Attending monthly board meeting to report back on service performance.

· Support to the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its responsibilities.

About You

We are looking for someone committed to our aims,  able to work autonomously,  excited to help shape our future with proven capacity to do so.

You will have:

· Strong commitment to the wellbeing of refugees and people seeking asylum

· Significant experience in a senior leadership or management role

· Experience in all aspects of management including finance, monitoring and evaluation, data systems, and people management

· Strong strategic planning, organisational development and project management skills.

· Excellent report writing, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.

· Understanding of safeguarding and data protection requirements

· Willingness to work flexibly according to the charity’s needs

· Ablility to work on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as needed.

Desirable characteristics:

· A successful track record of securing and managing funding

· Knowledge of the refugee and asylum sector.

· Experience of working within the refugee sector.

· Experience of working with trustees and charity governance.

· Experience of leading organisational change.

· Experience of managing externally funded projects.

· Personal experience of forced migration.

· Ability to speak relevant languages other than English

Refugee Resettlement Support Worker

Help refugee families build safe, stable and hopeful futures

Location:

• Based in Bournemouth
• Regular travel across BCP and Dorset
• Hybrid working available when not attending visits, meetings or appointments

Hours:

• 37.5 hours per week
• Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm

Salary: £26,796.90 per annum

International Care Network (ICN) is a Christian charity walking alongside refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants as they rebuild their lives in the UK. Every day, we see people overcome enormous challenges, develop new skills, build connections and create brighter futures and you could be part of that journey.

We're looking for a compassionate, proactive and organised Refugee Resettlement Support Worker to join our Resettlement Team and support individuals and families arriving through Government resettlement schemes. The role is predominantly focused on families resettled from Afghanistan, although support may be provided to people arriving through other schemes as well.

What you'll be doing

You'll work directly alongside refugee families as they settle into life in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and wider Dorset, helping them navigate unfamiliar systems, access services and become active members of their new communities.

Your work will include:

• Supporting individuals and families with housing, utilities and practical day-to-day needs
• Helping people access healthcare, education, benefits and other key services
• Supporting access to ESOL classes, volunteering and employment opportunities
• Accompanying people to appointments and meetings when needed
• Helping families build confidence, independence and connections within their local communities

· Working closely with local authorities, schools, health professionals, volunteers and other partners

· Maintaining accurate records and case notes

· Assisting with the preparation of homes prior to new arrivals moving in

No two days are the same. One day you might be helping a family register with a GP, supporting a parent at a school meeting, or helping someone navigate the benefits system. The next, you could be preparing a property for a newly arrived family or working with local partners to ensure the right support is in place.

Why this role matters

Moving to a new country after experiencing conflict, persecution or displacement can be overwhelming.

This role helps people rebuild their lives with dignity, confidence and hope. You'll play a key part in helping families settle safely, access opportunities, understand their new community and begin to thrive.

From supporting a child starting school for the first time, to helping a family access healthcare or secure employment, your work will have a direct and lasting impact.

Who we're looking for

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Have experience supporting vulnerable individuals or families
• Are compassionate, practical and solution-focused
• Can build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Are confident working independently and managing your own caseload
• Have strong organisational and administrative skills
• Are able to maintain professional boundaries while working in a supportive and person-centred way
• Have excellent communication skills
• Are comfortable working collaboratively with a range of agencies and professionals
• Share our commitment to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants
• Are supportive of ICN's Christian ethos and values

Experience of working with refugees, asylum seekers, local authorities or resettlement programmes would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Essential requirements

· Full UK driving licence

· Own reliable vehicle

· Confidence driving across BCP and Dorset

· Willingness to obtain and maintain appropriate business insurance

· Eligibility to work in the UK

· Ability to obtain an Enhanced DBS check

Why join ICN?

ICN is a friendly, ambitious and values-driven charity where relationships matter and everyone's contribution is valued.

You'll be joining a passionate team committed to creating communities where refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants can belong, flourish and rebuild their lives. As our services continue to grow, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people facing significant challenges and uncertainty.

What we offer

• Salary of £26,796.90 per annum
• 25 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Mileage paid at 45p per mile for work-related travel
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Staff wellbeing support and social events
• A supportive and collaborative team environment

ICN is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming employer. As a Disability Confident Employer, we encourage applications from people with disabilities and will make reasonable adjustments where needed. We value diversity and are committed to ensuring everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

We are also deeply committed to safeguarding. All roles working with children and vulnerable adults are subject to the appropriate DBS checks.

Join us

If you're passionate about helping people rebuild their lives and want to be part of a team making a tangible difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification and complete the application form and supporting documents (all documents can be found on our website.

Application deadline: 9am on Monday 7th September 2026
Interviews: Likely to take place during the week commencing 14th September 2026 (dates can be flexible if required).

Project Coordinator – Mobile Dignity Hub, South-West England 

Job description 

This is a role based in the South-West of England, working across the region to deliver a new mobile refugee clinic. The Project Coordinator is responsible for setting up and running the pilot project: coordinating a rented van, a small cohort of trained volunteers, and a rolling programme of visits to areas where people seeking asylum have been dispersed. The primary services will be dependent on the availability of other services in the local area but are non-specialist advice and referrals, and the distribution of welcome packs, clothes and hygiene items. The Project Coordinator can be based anywhere across the South-West.

The mobile model exists because widening dispersal is moving people seeking asylum further from city-centre services, often to rural areas with little existing support infrastructure. Fixed premises are a poor fit for many people's reality – low incomes, limited transport, childcare, language barriers and poor health can make a city-centre appointment practically inaccessible. This project takes support to where people are, building trust through co-hosting with local organisations and the use of refugee peer supporters. 

The Project Coordinator will work closely with the CEO and Back Office, collaborating on volunteers, budget management, partnerships and the development of the project. This role starts part-time (3 days per week) and is expected to increase to full-time (5 days per week) from January 2027. Extension beyond the pilot period will be based on performance and funding, and decided by mutual agreement between the Project Coordinator and the CEO. 

Role specification 

Setting up and running the mobile clinic: 

• Lead the practical set-up of the pilot: sourcing and maintaining a rented van, developing a network of partners across the South-west to coordinate operations and facilitate storage 

• Plan and deliver a rolling weekly/monthly rota of visits to different areas where people seeking asylum have been dispersed, working towards the target of 200 members served in the three-month pilot (800 in the first six months). 

• Oversee day-to-day delivery of non-specialist advice and referrals, and the distribution of welcome packs, clothes and hygiene items, ensuring services operate efficiently, safely and in line with organisational procedures. 

• Create and keep up to date a directory of local support services (health, legal, housing and other) so members can be referred accurately and quickly. 

• Identify and monitor the evolving needs of members and suggest new or improved ways of working to best serve the communities the project works with. 

• Identify and realise purchases needed to run and develop the project. Pay suppliers or ensure the Back Office knows when to pay. 

• Undertake any additional ad hoc tasks or responsibilities as directed by the CEO to support the effective running of the project. 

Member support: 

• Assess member needs and identify local service gaps to ensure relevant and suitable support is provided. 

• Support members to access and enrol with appropriate service providers through effective referral pathways. 

• Collect monitoring and evaluation data on what and how the project is delivering, including member feedback. 

Volunteers and safeguarding: 

• Recruit, welcome, train and manage a small team of volunteers, ensuring everyone is well supported and clear on how to help members within eligibility criteria. 

• Ensure all volunteers, visitors and any other relevant party understand and adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures, including photos/media. 

• Manage safeguarding, including reporting concerns, incidents and disclosures immediately. 

• Ensure a safe environment for members, volunteers and visitors, maintaining appropriate health and safety standards on the road and at any partner venues. 

Partnerships and stakeholder management: 

• Develop partnerships with local organisations across the South-West (including hosting arrangements at hubs and other venues) to build trust and extend the project's reach. 

• Maintain and nurture relationships with partners through clear, timely communication and attendance at relevant meetings. 

Budget management, reporting and accountability: 

• Manage and keep to the project budget. 

• Ensure careful management of financial resources and account for all expenditure on Xero. 

• Maintain regular communication with the CEO and Back Office, responding to queries and carrying out tasks as required, including participating in regular meetings. 

• Contribute to a full evaluation of the pilot project to inform decisions about extension or expansion to other areas. 

Essential Criteria 

• At least two years' experience (paid or voluntary) working with displaced and/or marginalised people. 

• Ability to stay calm and work under pressure in a highly emotional environment. 

• Very clear communicator, able to lead and motivate a team of volunteers and clearly enforce rules. 

• Understanding of professional boundaries. 

• Ability to stay emotionally resilient and practise self-care while remaining compassionate to the needs of others. 

• Proven ability to improve services within limited resources. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and tech literacy in general, most importantly with Excel, Teams and digital file management. 

• Eligibility to work in the UK. 

• Strong spoken and written English is essential. You must be confident working in a multilingual environment where not everyone shares the same language. 

• A full, valid UK driving licence, and confidence driving a large van. 

• Willingness to travel regularly across the South-West of England and to work outside the formal hours of 9am–5pm occasionally, as the work demands. 

• Understanding of the UK asylum system and dispersal policy. 

• Knowledge of the South-West of England, particularly Dorset and Bournemouth. 

Desirable 

• Interest and knowledge of the NGO sector and humanitarian movements in the UK and Europe. 

• Existing network of or knowledge of various services and providers across the South-West 

• Additional language skills are desirable but not required. 

• Passion, initiative and creativity to constantly improve what we do. 

• Experience starting a business/charity or of working in a start-up would be a distinct advantage 

Offered Benefits 

• Salary of £30,000 per annum (FTE). This role is part-time (3 days per week) for four months, potentially rising to full-time thereafter (5 days per week), with salary pro-rated accordingly. 

Are you passionate about creating positive opportunities for children and young people? Do you enjoy organising activities, building partnerships and helping families access the support they need?

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is seeking a dedicated and highly organised Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator to join our award-winning Bright Futures Children and Young People's Programme.

In this rewarding role, you will plan and coordinate engaging and inclusive educational, recreational and enrichment activities that help refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and feel connected to their local community.

Location: We have offices in Kingston Upon Thames, greater London.

Hours: 14 hours per week – 2 days a week* (including paid half-hour lunch break).

Salary:  £12,740 (FTE £31,850) for 2 years.

Leave: 26 days per annum Pro Rata plus bank holidays.

Starting Date October 2026.

Responsible to Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager.

*The peak activity periods for this role happen during school half-terms, which means extra hours will be required during these times. In return, we offer full flexibility with Time Off in Lieu (TOIL), allowing you to reclaim your time outside of busy half-term periods. Afterschool club is currently on Wednesdays and you will be expected to attend in person until 6pm. 

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Activities and Enrichment Coordinator will play a key role in planning, coordinating, delivering and monitoring educational, recreational and enrichment activities as part of our award-winning Bright Futures Children’s and Young People’s Programme. Working closely with the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager, Primary Teacher, external partners and volunteers, the post holder will ensure the provision of engaging, inclusive and memorable opportunities. In addition, they will support the delivery of RAK Bright Futures After School Club and Supplementary School and contribute to education-related casework for children and young people and monitoring and evaluation of all above activity.

All staff are expected to adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy of RAK at all times.

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is a well-established charity dedicated to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum from anywhere in the world who find themselves in the Royal Borough of Kingston and neighbouring boroughs. Since its foundation in 1991, RAK has been the main provider of direct services to refugees and people seeking asylum as well as promoting refugee rights.

RAK aims to support refugees through the process from their initial reception in the borough through to final integration into the local community in order to enable them to live a fulfilling life and become accepted and active participants in our local communities.  We achieve this by accomplishing a variety of outcomes for refugee and asylum-seeking families through delivering a holistic service including advice, information, counselling, education, training, and assistance to access mainstream services and employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives.

What we can offer you

· Work in a highly respected organisation punching above its weight – providing quality support to around 1300 individuals and families a year.

· A friendly and supportive environment, with an experienced team of professional teachers, counsellors, solicitors and advisers working to quality standards.

· Flexible working.

· A committed community in South West London that supports RAK through volunteering, sharing information about our work, and donations.

· Generous annual leave.

· Paid 30 minute lunch break if working 6 or more hours per day.

Our values 

• Empathy: we put ourselves in the shoes of those we work with. 

• Enterprise: we are innovative and resourceful in our approach to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. 

• Empowerment: we strive to empower our clients, helping them achieve their aspirations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Research, plan and coordinate holiday activities, trips and workshops that promote learning, wellbeing, community engagement and social inclusion.
• Develop and maintain relationships with activity providers, venues, schools, community organisations, cultural institutions and other partners to secure and coordinate activities, trips and enrichment opportunities.
• Manage invitations and registrations. Communicate with families regarding activities, permissions, travel arrangements and other relevant information.
• Organise the provision of lunches and refreshments through partnerships with local organisations and suppliers. Ensuring compliance with relevant food hygiene standards.
• Track project expenditure, process invoices, reconcile activity-related expenses, and maintain accurate budget records.
• Maintain records of attendance and activities. Administer questionnaires to monitor outcomes and obtain feedback to support evaluation and project reporting requirements.
• Take photos and prepare short commentary for social media whilst prioritising online safety of children and young people and ensuring all necessary permissions are in place.
• Deal sensitively with children, young people and families, identifying needs and making referrals to appropriate RAK services, external organisations and community opportunities. 
• Keep up to date with local community activities and services and ensure youth activities notice boards are regularly updated.
• Promote the welfare and safety of children and young people at all times.
• Adhere to RAK’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and ensure health and safety requirements are met for activities and trips.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Support Duties

• Support the delivery of RAK’s After School Club and Supplementary School programmes.
• Provide support to the Head of Services/ Family Support and Supplementary School Manager and Primary Teacher with education-related enquiries and casework.
• Support and work alongside volunteers involved in the delivery of Bright Futures.
• Ensure client details and case records are accurate, confidential and recorded on the RAK database and other relevant platforms.

Other duties and shared responsibilities

• Attend team meetings, training and other activities required to support the successful delivery of the programme.
• Represent RAK professionally with partners, stakeholders and the wider community.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Head of Services/Family Support and Supplementary School Manager that are consistent with the nature of the role.
• Undertake other duties such as implementing cleanliness procedures, and assisting in fire practices.
• Implement Refugee Action Kingston’s Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety and other policies in all areas of work.

Please note the duties outlined in this Job Description may be reviewed and amended from time to time.

Person specification

•  Experience of organising activity and enrichment programmes and events for children and young people.
•  Experience of working with children and young people at risk of violence or exploitation.
•  Experience of managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
•  Experience of monitoring budgets and handling financial administration.
•  Experience of working with volunteers.
•  Digital proficiency – experience of working with database systems, Microsoft 365, Canva.
•  Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, families and partner organisations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly.
• Available to work during school half term holidays.
• A commitment to the aims and objectives of Refugee Action Kingston and an understanding of the challenges faced by people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK.

Desirable criteria

• Spoken competency in one or more key client language groups.
• Lived or learned experience of the challenges faced by children and young people affected by displacement, disruption to education, youth violence or exploitation.

Our workplace

We want RAK to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. Our values are clearly set out in our strategy RAK Strategy 2023-28 which is available on our website.

RAK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to recruiting staff, trustees and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve and the wider community of London where we live and work. We particularly welcome applications from people: from Black, Asian and other minority-ethnic communities; refugee and migrant backgrounds; LGBTQ+ communities; with disabilities; and neurodiverse communities.

Asking for adjustments - RAK is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making changes for neurodiverse people, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview, or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us.

RAK is obliged to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act (1996), and this requires certain documents to be presented by candidates before an offer of employment can be made. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you to bring these documents with you. For jobs which involve, for example, working with, or having access to children and/or vulnerable adults and their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and need to have information from you regarding any previous, existing, or pending convictions or cautions. This will form part of the recruitment process if you are successful after interview.

Interviews will take place w/c 21 September 2026.

If you're an experienced manager with a background in immigration advice, GARAS wants to hear from you. As a leading immigration charity in Gloucestershire, we're looking for someone to lead our Adult Advice Team, guiding staff and volunteers as they support asylum seekers and refugees across the county.

Sitting on our Senior Management Team, you'll help shape how GARAS delivers its services, making sure the advice we offer stays true to what we stand for as an organisation.

We're a medium-sized, ambitious charity, and this role would suit someone who thrives on responsibility and wants to see their leadership make a tangible difference to people's lives. You will line manage all members of the Adult Advice Team, so sound judgement, resilience and genuine warmth in your management style will be essential. 

This role is based on-site at GARAS premises and will require an Enhanced DBS check.

GARAS is recruiting a Refugee Resettlement Officer to support the significant expansion of our Refugee Programme through the UKRS and ARAP Resettlement Schemes.  This is a unique and exciting opportunity for someone interested in gaining first-hand experience working on the frontline of a fast-paced, client-facing charity.

The successful candidate will contribute to the effective and efficient operation of our Refugee Resettlement Team, which offers comprehensive advice and support to refugees from various backgrounds.

This is an immensely rewarding role, working in a dynamic charity building on an ethos of care and inclusivity.  We are looking for an exceptional individual, committed to go the extra mile and convey our passion to support and transform the lives of refugees in our care.
 

Job Summary

The purpose of the job is to assist individuals and families in their resettlement into life in Gloucestershire.  Interventions will be aimed to ensure families gain independence and feel integrated into their new communities. Clients come from a variety of traumatic backgrounds, and are often living with the effects of their experiences, which may include trauma, PTSD, and domestic abuse situations.

To support individuals and families through five stages of integration to include: Preparation, Housing, Finance, Education, Health and Employment.

To work with key partners across the geographical area to ensure refugees who arrive through the UKRS and ARAP Resettlement Schemes are referred and signposted into appropriate support services and networks.

An enhanced DBS check will be required for this post.

A full driving license is essential, as a lot of the work involves visiting clients in locations across the county. The work also may involve taking clients to appointments, and collecting/delivering large or bulky items.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To develop and deliver comprehensive support plans for families who are newly arrived and throughout their first years in the UK. This includes reviewing these at regular intervals to ensure they continue to fully meet the needs of all family members.

2. To be responsible for managing the full support needs of caseload families including helping them to apply for benefits and learn to manage their finances; organising and ensuring attendance at ESOL classes; facilitating access to medical services including initial health assessments and follow ups; applying for schools and ensuring children are supported to settle in; encouraging attendance at community groups and with other practical arrangements as needed on a bespoke basis.

3. To support individuals and families with complex physical and psychological vulnerabilities in order that they are able to link with the help that they need to overcome these as fully as possible.

4. To record, monitor and evaluate casework practice and maintain confidential records for each family using in-house data recording systems.

5. To manage the transition of allocated families from intensive support to independence by empowering families to understand the systems and develop the skills required to live well in the UK.

6. To provide support and advice in a manner which understands the core elements of the refugee journey, the impact of trauma and principles for effective recovery.

7. To support and assist families to seek and secure meaningful and gainful employment to mitigate benefit cap restrictions; to include the development of CV’s and skills audits.

8. To build and maintain collaborative relationship with partner agencies and community services to provide effective support for families. This will include Benefits, Housing, English Learning, Healthcare and Social Care providers as well as others as needed.

9. To help other agencies understand the needs of the families of this programme and to help to avoid misunderstandings between parties due to cultural and language differences.

10. To connect families with meaningful engagement opportunities to enable them to build community connections and networks, develop confidence and learn new skills to improve their well-being.

11. To manage workload effectively using flexibility and adaptability, to ensure a good balance between competing priorities such as urgent client issues, pro-active casework support, medium to long term plans and other project work. This will include providing regular updates on all areas of work to the UKRS/ARAP Resettlement Team Leaders.

Professional Development

1. Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training particularly with migration.

2. Undertake cultural awareness training where appropriate and understanding of UK processes in order to assist the new families as they settle.

Administration

1. Use IT, maintain accurate records and GARAS diary.

2. Prepare for and attend supervision sessions, team meetings, staff meetings and meetings with external partners.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

1. To demonstrate commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the UKRS/ARAP projects.

2. Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.

3. To abide by GARAS’ confidentiality requirements.

4. To maintain relevant professional boundaries.

5. To undertake any other duties and tasks as may lie within the scope of this post.

Person Specification

Candidates will be shortlisted on the following specifications and need to address each of them in their application.

All relevant experience whether paid or voluntary, in the UK or overseas may be included.  GARAS values different and creative ways of working.

Essential

• Experience of providing advice and support to vulnerable people.

• A strong understanding of services available and the needs of refugees moving to the UK.

• A willingness to learn quickly and develop new skills to support your client group.

• A good understanding/experience of the processes in relation to the following systems: Benefit, Education, Employment, Health and Social Care, Housing, and Financial Management.

• The ability to prioritise tasks, to identify and work to deadlines and to manage time effectively under your own initiative.

• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients, and to manage difficult situations.

• An understanding for the need of confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach to service delivery.

• Ability to work as part of a team and to work collaboratively and professionally with external agencies, community representatives, colleagues and volunteers.

• Ability to use IT.

• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service. This includes occasional evening and weekend emergency calls.

• To have and hold a full clean driver’s license and have access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Experience of working directly with refugees. Knowledge of the core components of the refugee journey; the impact of trauma and principles to support effective recovery.

• Experience of managing a caseload with particular regard to Benefits, Employment, Housing and Debts.

• Experience of working with interpreters.

• An ability to speak additional languages would be a significant advantage in this position.

Application deadline: 9am, Monday 17 August 2026
Interview Date: week commencing 24 August 2026

About Hope for the Young

Hope for the Young removes the obstacles to young refugees and asylum-seekers’ education and wellbeing through mentoring, advocacy, and financial support.

The Mentoring Programme supports young refugees and asylum-seekers aged 16-25 by matching them with trained volunteer mentors who provide weekly one-to-one support tailored to the young people's needs. Mentors can help with teaching English, enrolment advice, study skills, confidence and trust building, and can provide emotional and practical support that will help the young people access new services, adapt and settle into their communities.

The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people who, due to their immigration status, have no access to student finance or other financial support to enable them to go to college or university. We provide small grants to pay for tuition fees, living allowances and travel expenses, alongside tailored advocacy support to enable young refugees and asylum-seekers to access education in the UK.

About this role

We are recruiting both a full-time and part-time Mentoring Programme Coordinator to manage our high-quality Mentoring Programme that supports young people seeking safety in the UK to achieve goals tailored to their needs. The programme aims to help them access education, improve their English, increase independence skills, build confidence, access appropriate services, reduce isolation, and adapt to life in the UK.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who is passionate about supporting young people seeking sanctuary to adapt to life in the UK and reach their full potential. You will have volunteer management experience and be enthusiastic about the impact they can have on those in need. You will also have a background in, or strong knowledge of, the needs and common challenges of young refugees and asylum seekers.

You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong partnerships with refugee support organisations, colleges and social services to maintain steady referrals to the programme. You will be required to assess young people’s needs and carefully match them with mentors with the relevant skills and experience. You will simultaneously recruit, train and support volunteers to provide weekly one-to-one support to their mentees and carefully monitor the progress of each relationship. Further to this, you will be responsible for responding to safeguarding concerns and providing casework support for young people when issues arise that are beyond the remit or capacity of the mentor. You will also need to maintain strong professional boundaries.

You will also be required to evaluate and monitor the progress of your mentoring relationships, keeping databases up to date and maintaining accurate reporting. Due to the nature of the programme, flexibility will be key to success and you will be required to travel across London and attend meetings in the early evenings (you can take this time back according to our Time Off In Lieu Policy). We offer a flexible and hybrid working environment, however you will be expected to come to our office in Brixton for a minimum of 1 day per week (on a Wednesday, which is our office team day).

You will also be part of an out-of-hours safeguarding rota, approximately once every six weeks, with time given back in lieu.

You will be one of 8 members of staff working alongside a team of dedicated volunteers. Being part of a small team, you will get the opportunity to contribute ideas and help to shape Hope for the Young as we grow and support more young people than ever before.

Main duties and responsibilities

Volunteer Management and Support

1. To co-ordinate a team of volunteer mentors who will provide targeted practical, educational and emotional support to young refugees and asylum seekers on a weekly basis.

2. To ensure the volunteer mentors support young people to access services and develop skills which lead to increased levels of education and employment and support them in making choices which will help them improve their physical, psychological and social well-being.

3. To facilitate a shared culture of co-operation and joint learning.

4. To increase retention of volunteers by ensuring all mentors feel welcome, valued and part of Hope for the Young.

5. To ensure safeguarding and child protection processes are in place and adhered to at all times, as well as maintaining professional boundaries.

6. To keep mentors and mentees updated regularly with relevant events and opportunities to support their learning and personal development.

Recruitment, Training and Matching

7. To develop relationships with potential sources of volunteer mentors and post role descriptions on various platforms to expand the volunteer base.

8. To recruit a diverse range of volunteer mentors, including those with lived experience. This will include reviewing applications; interviewing candidates; taking up references; processing DBS checks; and inducting and training volunteer mentors into their role.

9. To deliver further training to volunteer mentors, with the support of external organisations, which will support them to deliver effective mentoring sessions to their mentees.

Outreach and Partnerships

10.  To work with refugee community organisations and statutory agencies to create referral and access pathways into and out of the mentoring programme, and to promote the programme as widely as possible.

11.  To ensure that partners are kept up to date with information about the mentoring programme and are supported to make referrals on an ongoing basis.

12.  To report back to referral organisations to highlight progress achieved within the mentoring relationships, as well as any challenges.

13.  To represent Hope for the Young at external networking meetings.

Youth Assessments and Support

14.  To carry out thorough assessments of vulnerable young people referred to Hope for the Young, to understand their support needs in order to provide appropriate support.

15.  To build a relationship of trust with the young people so that they can inform you of any problems arising within their mentoring sessions, and so that you can effectively track their progress.

16.  To provide ad-hoc casework support to young people when issues arise that are beyond the remit or capacity of their mentor; signposting and referring on to other organisations for additional support when necessary.

17.  To keep in contact with young people throughout their mentoring to ensure they are being supported effectively and are happy with their mentoring sessions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

18.  To ensure Salesforce records are up to date and have accurate information, including updating case notes and safeguarding concerns in a timely manner.

19.  To ensure mentors complete session reports after every meeting, and to carry out 3-week, 3-month and 6-month reviews with mentors and mentees.

20.  To monitor and evaluate the service, including gathering and uploading data from evaluation forms and surveys.

21.  To attend regular supervisory sessions with your line manager and produce verbal/written reports on the programme as appropriate.

Other Duties

22.  To help organise and facilitate Hope for the Young’s annual party and quarterly social events to celebrate young people’s achievements and create a sense of community within Hope for the Young.

23.  To process all expenses, invoices and receipts in line with financial management systems and adhere to budgets in line with funding requirements.

24.  To act at all times in compliance with all policies and procedures of HftY, and ensure filing and storage systems are managed in line with GDPR.

25.  To undertake training relevant to the job in order to keep up to date with issues relevant to providing a good service for refugee and asylum-seeking young people.

26.  To undertake any other appropriate duties relevant to the post.

This job description will be reviewed on a regular basis to respond to any changing needs of the post.

Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave (pro rata), excluding bank holidays, plus additional time off over the Christmas period

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential counselling/support helpline

• Regular development opportunities to support professional development

• Quarterly wellbeing afternoons – group outings or activities to relax and unwind

Further Information

• You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this job.

• You must adhere to Hope for the Young’s Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.

• Your employment at Hope for the Young is subject to two satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

• There is a 3-month probation period for this role

To Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of forced migration. If you think you have the skills and experience to be our new Mentoring Programme Coordinator, we would love to hear from you.

We understand that AI can be a helpful tool when writing job applications. However, our advice is to not over-rely on AI and ensure your application is a true reflection of you and your voice. We can often tell when AI has been over-relied on and, in many cases, this is not giving applicants the best chance of success.

Here are all the details to apply:

• In the application form, please demonstrate how you meet the person specification for this post and explain why you would like to work for Hope for the Young.

• Please also complete our equal opportunities form which will appear once you have submitted your application.

• The deadline to apply is 8am on Tuesday 25th August

• Interviews will be held on 2nd, 3rd and 4th September

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Once a student is selected for participation and offered a university place, this postholder becomes their core anchor and primary REUK point of contact. This role oversees the entire student journey—from pre-departure preparation and arrival orientation to ongoing academic support, psychosocial wellbeing, community building on campus and monitoring of student outcomes.

The postholder will work alongside the newly created Education Pathways Universities Lead. While the Universities Lead focuses on institutional partnerships, you will focus on the student support side of the pathway: equipping university welcome groups to develop integration plans, pairing scholars with academic mentors (with support from REUK’s educational mentoring team), building a vibrant national student network, and providing hands-on casework escalation when complex issues arise.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be a versatile practitioner - equally skilled at designing cohort orientation programmes and delivering student workshops as you are at managing administrative workflows, tracking student outcomes, and delivering compassionate, individual casework support.

Role outcomes

1. Refugee Education Pathway students transition smoothly into UK higher education through comprehensive pre-departure guidance, arrival orientation, and holistic onboarding. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Serving as REUK’s primary point of contact for scholars in the months immediately preceding travel, delivering pre-departure briefings and managing expectation-setting.

• Supporting the Education Pathways Lead to recruit, select and match eligible students.

• Coordinating arrival logistics and initial orientation in close collaboration with partner universities and campus welcome groups.

• Establishing clear, trauma-informed onboarding protocols to help students adapt quickly to the academic and cultural environment of UK universities.

• Designing and delivering (in collaboration with young refugees who participated in the pilot pathway) high-quality orientation resources, toolkits, and interactive induction sessions tailored to the unique practical and psychosocial needs of newly arrived refugee students.

• Working alongside the Universities Lead to conduct campus visits to ensure scholars are safely settled and Welcome Groups are offering appropriate integration support

2. Scholars thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through tailored REUK-added support structures, mentorship, and peer networks. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the Universities Lead in training campus welcome groups (staff, student unions, and peer volunteers) and maintaining ongoing liaison to ensure high-quality local support.

• Overseeing REUK’s added-value support framework, including:

  • Sourcing, matching, and managing academic mentors for students on the programme;

  • Facilitating a vibrant, national network for education pathway students, organising regular in-person and online meet-ups and peer connections, as well as referrals to REUK’s refugee student leadership programme;

  • Providing occasional direct, high-level casework support and conflict resolution when complex student welfare, academic, or integration issues are escalated from universities to REUK.

• Fostering an empowering community environment that prioritises student agency, mental health, and long-term wellbeing throughout their studies.

3. Student support operations, cross-team coordination, safeguarding and administrative processes are managed efficiently and self-sufficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Managing all student-facing administrative processes, communication channels, and record-keeping systems independently without junior administrative support. 

• Working in close alignment with the Universities Lead to ensure institutional arrangements and campus support delivery are fully synchronized.

• Maintaining robust safeguarding and data protection protocols across all student casework, communications, and interactions. 

• Liaising with external specialist organizations (e.g., legal advisors, healthcare providers, mental health services) when complex casework exceeds standard university support.

4. Student progress and outcomes are robustly evaluated and clearly communicated, contributing to programme learning and REUK’s wider mission. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead and Chief Executive on cohort wellbeing, retention rates, academic progress, and key student outcomes.

• Designing and implementing (with the support of REUK’s Research Manager) student feedback mechanisms, regular check-ins, and longitudinal evaluation frameworks to track scholar progression.

• Supporting grant reporting and contributing qualitative impact stories and student reflections for funders, communications and organisational learning.

• Working alongside the Youth Advocacy Manager to provide Education Pathways students opportunities to engage with our Refugee Changemakers team

• Feeding student-led insights and operational learning into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change work to improve refugee education nationwide.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Student support and safeguarding: Proven track record of delivering direct support, pastoral care and complex casework for displaced young people or international/refugee students in higher education and supporting others to do the same.

• Training and resources: Experience designing and delivering transition, orientation, or onboarding programmes that support cross-cultural adaptation and academic readiness.

• Volunteering management: Strong experience in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers and volunteer groups (e.g., akin to academic mentors or campus welcome groups).

• Network and community building: Skills in facilitating student-led networks, organizing cohort events/meet-ups, and building inclusive peer-to-peer support spaces.

• Operational self-sufficiency and willingness to travel: High level of personal organization, ability to manage admin independently without junior support, and willingness to travel regularly across the UK.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education and the needs of resettled refugees more broadly: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and internationally in first countries of asylum, as well as the support needed on resettlement to a third country.

• Student participation: Deep understanding of the principles of youth or student leadership and co-production, with the ability to embed these meaningfully across the education pathway 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to a variety of audiences.

About The Refugee Council

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute.

We have offices across the UK where our Services teams provide support to refugees at the local level.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Our Values

Our values underpin everything we do: 

• Inclusive: We are inclusive. We work with – not for – refugees and people seeking asylum so they have an equal voice, co-producing projects and ensuring their expertise and experiences are at the heart of what we do.
• Collaborative: We are collaborative. Working with others is a priority in order to have the collective impact that is vital to achieve policy and practice reform. 
• Courageous: We speak out when we see injustice, cruelty and unfairness. We always stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do to transform the experiences of those seeking protection in our country. 
• Respectful: We are respectful of all those we interact with. We treat everyone – our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners and people we disagree with – with the same respect, professionalism and understanding.

About the Role

As a Psychological Therapist for Refugee Council, you will deliver specialist, culturally responsive psychological therapy and psychosocial interventions that improve the mental health, wellbeing, and resilience of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people across East Sussex. The role provides assessment, therapeutic intervention, risk management, and professional guidance, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure vulnerable young people receive safe, effective, and holistic support that enables positive outcomes and recovery.

Hours: 14 hours per week over 2 days (0.4 FTE).

Contract: Fixed term, ending March 2027.

Location: Hybrid, with occasional travel to East Sussex required for meetings and partnership work.

Staff Benefits

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including:

• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Work/Life Balance Policies
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering
• And more.

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK – apply on our website today.

Closing date: 1 September 2026.

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Higher education provides a transformative pathway for refugee youth, but establishing sustainable institutional access routes requires systemic collaboration. This role will lead the growth, formalisation, and management of university partnerships required to make an education pathway to the UK grow and flourish. You will oversee the complete partnership lifecycle: from university outreach and onboarding (including negotiating formal agreements at senior level), to enabling the formation of campus welcome groups, leading on initial and ongoing university and welcome group training and support, and monitoring and improving all university-facing processes within the pathway.

The postholder will work alongside a newly created Students Lead role, enabling you to focus on the institution-facing workstreams, while student-facing onboarding, welfare, and direct casework are handled by your counterpart.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be an allrounder - as comfortable presenting to university executive boards and Vice-Chancellors as you are drafting MoUs, establishing Terms of Reference, organising and facilitating institutional training, and handling complex partnership operations independently.

Role outcomes

1. UK universities actively partner with REUK to create, expand, and sustain dedicated safe and legal education pathways for displaced students. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and executing a national university engagement strategy to identify, pitch to, and secure new partner universities across the UK higher education sector.

• Engaging directly with key university representatives - including Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Admissions, Sanctuary staff and key academics - to build institutional buy-in and secure long-term commitment to refugee education pathways.

• Negotiating university support packages, including as appropriate fee waivers, scholarship or bursary structures, and accommodation commitments.

• Nurturing and strategically managing existing university partnerships to ensure institutional sustainability, high-level engagement, and year-on-year growth in pathway placements.

• Representing REUK where appropriate in sector-wide higher education networks and working groups on displaced student pathways.

2. Partner universities establish institutional frameworks, well-trained staff networks and campus welcome groups to receive refugee education pathway learners. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Guiding universities in establishing and structuring sustainable on-campus welcome groups (bringing together university staff and students) to support the welcome and integration of education pathway students.

• Designing and delivering high quality training sessions for on-campus welcome groups and other key staff members.

• Developing practical toolkits, guides, and frameworks for university staff to accompany above training.

• Collaborating with the Students Lead to ensure campus welcome structures integrate with REUK's student support mechanisms.

• Advocating within partner institutions for structural policy improvements (e.g. contextual admissions and flexible documentation policies).

3. University partnership governance, agreements, and operational systems run effectively and efficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Drafting, negotiating, and finalizing formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and operational service agreements with partner universities. 

• Managing all administrative and governance aspects of university partnerships independently, including contract tracking, partnership reviews, and operational timelines without junior admin support.

• Coordinating institutional admissions frameworks and placement quotas with university registry and admissions departments.

• Serving as the primary point of contact for senior university leads when strategic, structural, or other partnership challenges arise

• Maintaining robust data systems and records relating to university commitments, funding allocations, and institutional agreements.

4. REUK’s Education Pathways university partnerships work is robustly evaluated, financially sustainable, and aligned with REUK’s broader strategy. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead  on partnership growth, institutional engagement metrics, and strategic pathway goals.

• Working in close alignment with the Students Lead to ensure institutional frameworks effectively support cohort needs and programme delivery.

• Collecting sector data, university feedback, and institutional metrics to demonstrate impact to funders, university boards, REUK’s board of trustees, and government stakeholders.

• Supporting grant reporting and budget management related to university pathway expansion and partner development.

• Feeding operational insights from university partnerships into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change initiatives.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Higher Education sector expertise: Deep understanding of UK university governance, executive structures, admissions procedures, international frameworks, and sanctuary initiatives.

• Senior stakeholder engagement and negotiation: Proven track record of engaging and influencing senior decision-makers within universities.
   

• Partnership governance: Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and executing formal and operational agreements, including MoUs and ToRs.
   

• Facilitation and training: Strong training and facilitation skills, with a track record of designing and delivering workshops and guidance, ideally within the higher education or refugee education sectors

• Operational self-sufficiency: Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to manage high-level administration, systems setup, and contract management independently without administrative support.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and in first countries of asylum. 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to high level audiences.

AFRIL is recruiting for our next Casework Manager, following the advancement of the current post holder into another role within the organisation. We are looking for a hard working and dynamic person who can balance the operational demands of casework and managing frontline services, with excellent HR skills and a keen interest in policy and developing partnerships. This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team at AFRIL, which would be ideal for a highly experienced caseworker or solicitor seeking to gain leadership experience in a community led organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 3 Caseworkers (as well as a team of volunteers) in the delivery of AQS casework in the areas of housing, asylum support, welfare benefits and community care, and the provision of Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 advice. The post holder will also hold key funder and partner relationships, oversee compliance, safeguarding and support the Executive Director with AFRIL's external policy work. 

Post: Support Team Leader 

Department:Supported housing 

Reports to:Support Service Manager 

Working Hours:37.5 hours per week 

Salary: £35,295 per annum 

Location:Coventry 

About ACH: 

ACH (Ashley Community Housing) is an award-winning social enterprise specialising in the economic, social and civic integration of refugees via accommodation and community-based training support.

Our vision  

For all refugees coming to the UK to be successfully integrated into society with access to adequate accommodation, employment and education.

Purpose of job 

The postholder will lead, develop and motivate a team of support practitioners to ensure that immediate pastoral resettlement support packages are developed and delivered to meet the specific individual needs of each tenant, which ultimately facilitates their moving towards living with a greater independence. 

To take overall responsibility for the successful running of the support service as agreed. In line with the requirements of our regulatory bodies and company policies and procedures. To promote and ensure high standards of support and involvement opportunities for our tenants. 

Key Responsibilities 
 

• Provide support, guidance and training to support team to ensure they are equipped with the tools and skills to deliver high quality support and involvement programmes in their area. This includes ensuring that ACH’s internal quality framework for Involvement best practice, and relevant policies and procedures are followed.Train support team in Support Processes to ensure that Support Plans, Risk Assessments, Reviews, Exit Interviews are carried out within the required time frames.
   

• Carry out monthly one to one’s with staff and coordinate weekly or bi weekly staff meetings. 
   

• To line manage staff team and act as the first point of contact and to effectively manage, supervise and develop the support staff and any apprentices or volunteers. 
   

• Support the Housing Team in receiving new referrals and these being processed to ensure empty rooms are let. Work with the Housing Team to ensure that residents are aware of their responsibilities regarding rent payments and licence agreements. 
   

• Work with other ACH teams to maintain effective internal referral procedures for residents to engage with wider ACH services such as Training and Employability Support 

• To maintain an excellent standard of safeguarding practice and awareness throughout the service and staff team and to support staff on safeguarding issues. Working in line with ACH’s Safeguarding Policy to follow up any safeguarding related issues and ensure they are dealt with effectively with appropriate referrals to safeguarding boards, local authorities social services and where necessary the Police. 
   

• To provide and seek training, support and guidance for staff and to implement staff training programmes. Ensuring all staff have completed any mandatory training and any training specific to service delivery.

• Ensure that staff maintain Continuing Professional Development logs that record trainings undertaken. 
   

• Monitor support service ensuring that support plans and risk assessments are reviewed, evaluated and updated regularly. To ensure all paperwork is completed to a high standard and clear and concise records are maintained.
   

• Regular monitoring of CRM, making use of data reports to ensure that support outcomes are being reached.

• Carrying out quality audits of support service and report findings to management and make recommendations for service improvements. To ensure best practice through internal auditing and self-monitoring. 
   

• Provide regular information and reports for Committee and other stakeholders to demonstrate the impact of activities and outcomes achieved by the support team.

• Complete monthly Support Service KPI Reports in line with ACH reporting procedure.
   

• Recruit, induct, manage and motivate employees within the team, ensuring they are trained in the performance of their duties and appraised of their performance; organise, supervise and monitor their performance, thereby ensuring the provision of efficient, effective and high quality services. Dealing with all personnel issues in conjunction with the HR Manager as necessary.Maintain personal records on the HR database, manage holiday requests. 
   

• Represent ACH professionally to external stakeholders. 
   

• To work with the Support Service Manager and Head of Support and Housing to ensure effective administrative systems and procedures relating to the effective running of the support service are in place.
   

• Where needed to cover support delivery for a small, designated caseload of residents. 
   
   

• If department is IAA registered maintain high-quality case management system in line with IAA Code of Standards. 

We’re looking for two Youth Workers (one Lead Youth Worker, and one Support Youth Worker) to plan, deliver and facilitate educational and social activities for separated children (up to 21 years old) in the context of an interactive youth club to be held weekly in partnership with Corner House Youth Project in Stockton-on Tees.

Although the Lead Youth Worker will prepare and deliver the materials, supported by the Support Youth Worker, they will also have the back-up of a Support Worker from Corner House and a social worker or personal advisor from Stockton-on-Tees Council.

Club Class is a long-standing project for The Separated Child Foundation, and Club Class in Stockton-on-Tees is a new location for us, launching as a 1-year pilot in October 2026.