JOB DESCRIPTION

Asylum Seeker and Refugee Outreach Support Worker

JOB PROFILE

Post / Asylum Seeker and Refugee Project Worker (Outreach)
Term of post / Fixed Term Contract Until 31st March 2014 (with a view to extending)
Salary and Conditions / £17,000 per annum
Hours / Full time post (37 hours minimum per week)
37 hours per week, normally office hours but some evening and/or weekend work may be required from time to time
Line Manager / Senior Asylum Seeker and Refugee Project Worker
Job Location / Wesley Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn, Lancs
Approved by the Director of Operations / January 2013

Job purpose

Methodist Action (North West) is a charity aimed at helping people who are in need. In partnership with West Pennine Moors Methodist Circuit, we run the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Project. This project provides vital support to Asylum Seeker and Refugees within the local community.

This post is to bepart of a team providing support to people who are seeking Asylum or who are refugees. To plan, manage and administer support forpeople who are in need of social or welfare related support.

Role Descriptions
Outreach/Wellbeing Worker
Job purpose
As part of a team to plan, manage and administer support for people who are seeking asylum and refuge in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
To use outreach skills to work towards improving health and wellbeing within the Asylum seeker and refugee community who access the service at Wesley Hall Blackburn. Providing advice and guidance to enhance their lives, ensuring quality of service.
To actively support and enable asylum seeking families and individuals to make progress with related case matters, communicating with relevant agencies such as UKBA, Solicitors, NASS, Home Office, Refugee Action et al
To use a knowledge of the asylum seeking process and procedures to support families and individuals
To offer practical advice and assistance on issues such as welfare benefits, budgeting, life skills, employment, education, training, accommodation and housing related matters.
To ensure safeguarding of all who access the service
To maintain clear and accurate records
To work closely with other Methodist Action Projects and to make full use of interagency support for service users, referring through the centre manager as appropriate, including health, mental health, drug, alcohol, gambling and advocacy services.
To facilitate the empowerment of service users to gain and maintain control over all aspects of their lives, recognising and encouraging the development and use of their strengths, abilities and skills
To work within the statutory and advisory frameworks aiming for best practice at all times
To work within Health, Safety and Hygiene policies and procedures
To carry out appropriate risk assessments and participate in risk management
To apply Equal Opportunities policies and procedures for all service users, staff and visitors and ensure rights to privacy and confidentiality for all service users, maintaining professional boundaries at all times
To operate within Methodist Action’s Policies and Procedures
To participate in training and development and remain up to date with sector developments
To deal professionally with members of the public
To have a flexible approach to working hours
To undertake any other duties as directed by the manager that may reasonably fall within the scope of the post
To promote and underpin their practice with the Christian ethos

Person specification

CriteriaEssential/Desirable

Skills / Essential/
Desirable* / Evidenced by*
Excellent communication skills with service users, colleagues, managers, members of the public and faith communities / E / I / R
Be able to develop effective working relationships with colleagues and service users / E / I / R
Experience of accurate record keeping / E / A / I
Flexibility - to meet the needs of the service and service users / E / A / I
IT skills including the ability to use Microsoft Office suit: Word, Power Point, Spreadsheets, Publisher. / E / A / I
Knowledge
Knowledge of issues around Asylum seekers and refugees
 Knowledge of working with the vulnerable and insecure. / E / A / I
Knowledge of the Office of the ImmigrationService’sCommissioners Code of standards (D) or ability and willingness to learn of the sector, its issues and frameworks (E) / D / E / A / I
Experience
Experience of working in a paid or voluntary capacity within the social care sector / D / A / I
Experience, whether personal or professional, of working with / supporting young people or vulnerable adults/asylum seekers/refugees / D / A / I
Qualifications
First aid qualification (D) or be willing to work towards one (E) / D / E / A / I
Have or work towards a minimum of NVQ / NQF level 3 / E / A / I
  • Basic Food Hygiene qualification (D)or be willing to work towards one (E)
/ D / E / A / I
  • Have (D) or work towards OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) level 1 qualification to give basic immigration advice (E)
/ D / E / A / I
  • Have an understanding of safeguarding issues (E)
/ E / A / I
Special Requirements
The post holder must be able to demonstrate a good work attendance record / E / R
Supportive of the Christian ethos of the employer / E / R
The post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced CRB clearance / E

*

E = Essential

D=Desirable

I=Interview

A=Application form

R=Reference

1