JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Welfare and Housing Caseworker

Working hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

Reporting to: Lead, Medico-Legal Services

Location: Central London

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Background of Charity

The Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) is a human rights charity based in London which was founded in 2005. Our specialist team of therapists, doctors and legal experts have an international reputation for providing therapeutic care, medical consultation, legal protection and practical support to survivors of human rights violations.

HBF grew from the recognition that people who have suffered prolonged inter-personal violence - whether from human trafficking; war; community, domestic or gender-based violence - present with similar physical and psychological symptoms to torture survivors and experience the same complex and enduring responses to their trauma. The Helen Bamber Foundation’s Model of Integrated Care includes:

  • Specialist programmes of therapeutic care for individuals, families and groups;
  • Detailed medical assessments & co-ordination of external healthcare services;
  • Provision of expert Medico-legal Reports;
  • A Creative Arts, Skills and Activities Programme; and
  • Referral to specialist lawyers and organisations for legal, welfare & housing advice.

Purpose of Role

We are a small organisation with a big vision.The purpose of this role is to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team. The Casework Officer will manage a varied caseload of vulnerable clients who have experienced extreme human cruelty. The key task is to support and assist clients in accessing available asylum, welfare and housing services and support as part of our Model of Integrated Care.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

  • To make appropriate client referrals, advise and advocate on behalf of clients to ensure the prevention of social deprivation.
  • To liaise closely with HBF’s experts to assess clients’ needs and assist them access mainstream services; Welfare Benefits, Housing, Asylum Support, Social Services, Education, etc.
  • To liaise closely with external statutory bodies such as NASS (the National Asylum Support Service), the Home Office, Social Service Departments, Education Departments, The National Health Service, and voluntary agencies like the Refugee Council and the Red Cross; advice agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureaux; and solicitors, etc., to ensure client needs are met.
  • To increase the knowledge of services that complement HBF’s work and ensure this information is disseminated throughout the Foundation.
  • Ensure accurate and timely record keeping for follow up work, quality control, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Work collaboratively alongside other HBF’s staff and volunteers to ensure best and improved services are provided at all times.
  • Respect client confidentiality at all times in line with HBF’s confidentiality agreements and consent forms.
  • Be responsible for supervising and supporting volunteers involved with casework.
  • Promote the aims, principles, policies and interests and wellbeing of the Foundation and to protect its integrity and reputation at all times.
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the responsibilities of the post as requested.
  • Support the organisation at special events and initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Up-to-date knowledge of Asylum Support and Welfare Benefits Systems, including current reforms, Housing & Homelessness legislation, the Children’s Act, etc.
  • At least two years’ experience of working with vulnerable clients, including casework or equivalent across different areas of client needs.
  • Knowledge of the challenges facing vulnerable clients including asylum seekers and refugees, and demonstrable empathy for this client group.
  • Ability to deal with issues of a confidential and sensitive nature.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of Community Care, and Destitution services.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced and pressured environment with flexibility and ability to manage change.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy, and the ability to build relationships internally and with external contacts.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Organisational skills, including experience of maintaining accurate client records.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, including inter-disciplinary teams.
  • Experience of working with interpreters and communicating across different cultures.
  • Experience of working with, supervising and/or managing volunteers.
  • Computer literate and be able to use Microsoft packages such as word and Excel.
  • Understanding and commitment to the objectives of the HBF.
  • Understanding and commitment to Equality and Diversity in the workplace and in relation to working with vulnerable clients.
  • Demonstrate a positive and can do attitude, willingness to assist where and when needed.
  • Willingness to travel occasionally if required.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Knowledge of vulnerable adults and child protection policies
  • Experience of working with survivors of trauma including domestic violence and human trafficking.
  • Experience of working in a holistic way with clients.

A successful candidate will be subject to a DBS (CRB) check and suitable references.

Please apply by sending a covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience, as well as your previous experience that matches the listed responsibilities in the Job Description, and the Person Specification criteria and your CV to .

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who are shortlisted for interview. No agencies please.