DUTIES OF ADVICE WORKER(S)
OBJECTIVES:
To provide high quality advisory services to Armenians and those connected to them in London
Enabling disadvantaged sections of the Armenian community in London such as refugees, unemployed, homeless, older people, carers, women, young people and low-income families to
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce inequalities
- Reduce deprivation
- Increase access to statutory services and rights
- Become empowered in life choices
GUIDELINES:
Undertake casework on welfare benefits, housing, immigration at a minimum LSCQuality Mark at Casework Level 1/OISC Level 1, in accordance to CAIA ‘s case management/referral procedures.
Observe the CAIA guidelines on client care, case management, confidentiality and all relevant other policies/quality standards.
ACTIVITIES:
PROVIDE FACE TO FACE, TELEPHONE & EMAIL ADVICE & INFORMATION
· Dealing with appointments/language needs
· Interview client in accordance to CAIA’s Advisory procedures.
· Diagnose clients’ problems/circumstances.
· Providing advice for clients face to face, by phone/email
· Undertake Casework, advocacy on client behalf
· Signpost/Make referral and follow up case until conclusion of enquiry.
· Maintain accurate records of clients files for monitoring purpose
· Provide regular work progress reports to line manager, Management Committee and funders
· Undertake annual service evaluation
MEETINGS: Attend any internal or external meetings as agreed with line manager in advance and provides reports
SERVICE PROMOTION: Promote CAIA’s advisory and other services as widely as possible.
LEGISLATION/POLICIES: Keeping up with all changes affecting advisory services users
TRAINING FOR CLIENTS & SELF DEVELOPMENT: Attend any training for self- development in consultation with line manager and help organise training events for advisory clients.
ADMIN: The adviser will effectively administer CAIA’s advisory workload. Maintain accurate records and database on Computer/filling cabinet.
OTHER RESPONSABILITIES:
A degree of flexibility is needed as the adviser may be required to perform from time to time to perform other duties not specifically detailed above.
Such duties will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Experience
· At least two year’s (full time or its part time equivalent), welfare benefits/housing/immigration advice work experience. Immigration casework at a minimum of LSC General Help with Casework level and with OISC Level 1 accreditation.
· This experience must also include some element of in-depth casework on all aspects of Welfare benefit/Housing/immigration
2. Knowledge
· Demonstrable knowledge of current legislation /policies relating to Welfare Benefits/Housing & immigration
3. Skills
· Undertake and manage a multiple welfare benefit /Housing & Immigration caseload
· Plan, provide and monitor an appropriate efficient and effective welfare benefits/Housing/immigration advice service for the Armenians and those connected to them in UK.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English language with particular emphasis on negotiation and representation skills and preparing reviews, reports and correspondence.
· Ability to work to standards and methods required by the Legal Services Commission for Welfare benefits/Housing/Immigration.
· Committed, motivated and responsible individual capable of working without close supervision, prioritise and manage own caseload
· Work effectively as part of a small team with minimum supervision
· Deal with competing demands on your time and meet deadlines.
· Excellent inter-personal skills, including team working and empathy with clients who come from different countries in an impartial and courteous manner.
· Carry out and take responsibility for your own administration including Case-management, filing, word-processing, etc.
· Excellent computer skills
· Numeracy to the levels required in the tasks.
· Provide annual service monitoring and evaluation report
· Work occasionally late as required (TOIL will be given).
4.0 Desirable
Ability to speak Armenian and/or Russian