Job description and person specification

Transcription

1 Job description and person specification Refugee Support Caseworker Salary band 2B Job reference number REQ MA Area / department 2.4 / Refugee Support Region / division North of England Work location Derby Reports to Service Manager Role duration Permanent Last updated May 2016 Scale and scope of role Direct reports None Indirect reports None Budgetary responsibility / accountability None Accountability for other resources Management and distribution of vouchers and bus tickets Reach and impact The Refugee Support Caseworker will support refugees and asylum seekers when facing crisis (on arrival in the UK, during the asylum process or following an asylum application decision). This time-limited support will assist asylum seekers and refugees to access local support networks and systems as part of a new project in Derby funded by Big Lottery Fund. The caseworker will provide quality casework services for refugees and asylum seekers. The majority of the work takes place in the dispersal area of Derby; however occasional work across the area may also be required. Context The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives. Within the UK, the British Red Cross operates through about 3500 staff and over 30,000 volunteers. Geographically, the UK is organised into 20 areas, which are grouped into three regions. Our work with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in Derby focuses on three key areas: > Material support provision to those in crisis Job description and person specification 1

2 > Casework to assist people to find a durable route out of crisis > Family reunion travel assistance The Red Cross has a long tradition of providing practical and emotional support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. As a leading humanitarian organisation, we often need to respond quickly and effectively to crises for example, by supporting large-scale arrivals or providing emergency provisions for those facing severe hardship. Overall purpose of the role The British Red Cross will be delivering a new project funded by the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) to support refugees and asylum seekers in Derby to survive and thrive. The project will be in partnership with Upbeat Communities and the Multi-Faith Centre. As part of the project the caseworker will: > Provide emergency supplies and casework support to refugees and asylum seekers > Improve access to services like health, welfare, accommodation and legal representation for refugees and asylum seekers by giving information, advice and advocacy to service users. > Train, support and supervise volunteers to provide advice, information, advocacy and casework support to service users so that a consistent high standard of casework is provided. > Provide complex casework support to refugees and asylum seekers, including asylum support appeals and OISC level 1 advice > Keep up to date with changes to relevant legislation and/or local service provision impacting refugees and asylum seekers. Line management support will be the Refugee Support Service Manager. This is a full time position of 35 hours per week. Core hours are Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm although due to the nature of the position, applicants must be prepared to work outside these hours when required. Job sharing may be considered. The post is based in Derby, and occasional travel to other areas as required. Main Duties and Responsibilities > To provide specialist advice and advocacy including OISC level 1 advice and asylum support appeals > To assess service-users' needs based on initial requests for advice and information and ensure appropriate support is given to them > To provide complex casework on behalf of service-users relating to their health, social, education, legal representation, support and accommodation needs. > To train, support and supervise volunteers to provide advice, information, advocacy and casework support to service-users. Job description and person specification 2

3 > To work with other agencies and professionals to ensure that their services are accessible and appropriately meet the needs of service-users. > To refer clients on to other agencies as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the service, including legal issues. > To develop excellent working relationships with partner organisations, colleagues and volunteers working with the client group. > To promote and publicise the service internally and externally and to represent BRC in meetings with partner agencies > To implement and develop effective systems to collect management information and use it to monitor casework and the project. > To run and support outreach clinics and look after the provision of emergency supplies. > To keep accurate and up to date records, files and case notes, and taking responsibility for individual cases including monitoring that these are to BRC standards > To keep up to date with developments and legislation around issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers. > To be committed to the Fundamental Principles and the Equal Opportunities policy for the British Red Cross > To undertake any other duties as requested by the Service Manager, Senior Service Manager or Operations Director. This job description is subject to ongoing and periodic review Person specification Requirements Skills > Educated to GCSE level or equivalent by experience** > OISC Level 1 accreditation or willing to undertake training to achieve this* Job description and person specification 3

4 Knowledge (including education and training) > Broad knowledge of the asylum support system, UK legislation regarding asylum seekers and issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees** > IT literate. Experience of using , word processing, spreadsheet packages and databases** Experience > Experience of delivering high quality and confidential services to the public, including vulnerable individuals** > Experience of working with refugees and asylum seekers* > Experience of supporting and supervising volunteers and delivering training* > Experience of doing casework, including interviews and needs assessments* > Experience of collecting information and using it to monitor and review casework trends and issues * Competencies > Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that include report writing and verbal skills** > Highly organised and able to manage own time and workload, responding to and prioritising a range of competing demands** > Understanding of and ability to work in line with the Fundamental Principles of the British Red Cross. Additional requirements > Understanding and empathetic with an ability to maintain professional boundaries** > Level headed and emotionally resilient** > Ability to work as part of a team and also on own initiative** > Able to work and travel as appropriate to the needs of the job, and more widely in the Area/region as required** > Able to work unsociable hours and able to respond to emergency situations, as required.* > Full and valid UK driving licence and use of a car * > Works with flexible and helpful attitude* > Ability to speak another language. > Uphold the Fundamental Principles and act with integrity, in accordance with the Society s obligations and values (inclusive, compassionate, courageous, and dynamic). > Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and promote diversity. Job description and person specification 4

5 ** Essential Minimum short-listing criteria * Desirable short-listing criteria N.B. To be invited to interview you must provide evidence of how you meet the minimum short-listing criteria (this is found on the position description s person specification list). For example, it is not enough to say "I have good communication skills". You must explain how you have good communication skills in your application. All disabled candidates who meet these criteria will be short-listed for interview in line with our commitment under the two-tick symbol scheme. This post is supported by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. Job description and person specification 5