Modern Slavery Support Worker

Job Description

Name of projectBlack Country Women’s Aid

Address of projectAddress to be confirmed

Job TitleModern Slavery Support Worker

(Client group: victims of international human trafficking)

Responsible toHead of Modern Slavery Support Services

Responsible for:Initially contractors, volunteers, students

Job Purpose:To provide support to victims of international human trafficking

Working Hours37.5 excluding lunch break

Special ConditionsOccasional work/ attendance meetings at evenings and weekends

Frequent travel to Croydon and Solihull

Emergency contact

Full driving licence with willingness to use own car

Salary:£19,968

Main Duties:
  • To provide support to victims of international human trafficking in BCWA refuge accommodation (female victims and their children) and through outreach support (male and female victims and their children)
  • To be responsible for delivering an effective system of care and support to victims of international human trafficking (clients)
  • To address the complex and multiple needs of clients (and their children) with an aim to promote: confidence; independence; safety and security; and life after human trafficking.
  • To enable clients to make positive choices about their future and reduce the risks from issues including substance misuse and prostitution in a positive way.
  • To establish and promote an effective working relationship with partner agencies, both statutory and voluntary.

Principal Tasks and Responsibilities
Needs Assessment and Support Planning
  • Ensure daily/regular contact with clients to provide the necessary practical/ emotional and counseling support
  • To support clients on a one to one basis, via techniques such as key working, needs assessment and support planning
  • To assist clients with practical and emotional issues to promote independent living, with key features of safety planning, support, information, signposting and advocacy
  • Promote independence and rehabilitation, encouraging clients to develop confidence, and where necessary assisting clients with practical tasks
  • Ensure language and cultural support is provided to clients
  • Act as a representative, and where appropriate and advocate for the client with other agencies including the Home Office and UKHTC (UK Human Trafficking Centre)
  • To work within the agreed timescales for the National Referral Mechanism and immigration processes, signposting as appropriate to specialist agencies and advice providers.
  • Develop and encourage clients to become involved in communication and consultation mechanisms to ensure that future service developments are reflective of the changing needs clients accessing this service
  • Contribute to the review and development of new services to support clients
  • Assist clients to access health and other care, support and leisure services, making contact with the necessary agencies and making appointments, attending meetings alongside the client and acting as an advocate as necessary and with permission of the client
  • Enable clients to maximize their finances and access appropriate financial entitlements through welfare benefits, employment etc
  • Enable clients to make choices about re-establishing their life after trafficking, including a move back to their native country if appropriate and safe to do so
  • Coordinate the allocation and referral to suitable and safe move-on accommodation utilising risk and needs assessments processes

Housing Management
  • To be responsible for the everyday administration and health and safety of refuge accommodation for female victims of trafficking
  • Ensure the necessary pre-licence work is carried out with new residents accepted into refuge accommodation to help plan for and adjust to their stay in refuge, promoting confidence and independent living
  • Provide and explain to new residents information regarding the services of BCWA and the obligations of BCWA and the licensee, completing the necessary paperwork/ administration
  • Give advice and assistance on claiming financial support such as housing benefit and other welfare benefits to ensure full entitlements are obtained
  • Provide advice guidance and support to the resident on budgeting and general financial management to ensure residents and BCWA financial resources are maximized
  • Manage and administer the license / agreement taking the necessary action for any breach in accordance with BCWA policy and procedures
  • Deal with any conflicts that may arise as a result of living within the refuge in accordance with BCWA policies and procedures
  • Ensure the safety and security of residents and the refuge at all times adhering to BCWA Health and Safety and service policies and procedures
  • Reporting repairs and damages in accordance with BCWA policies and procedures
  • Ensure that the services and facilities provided by BCWA are at all times used appropriately and take the necessary actions in accordance with the policies and procedures of BCWA

Administration

  • Maintain accurate and up to date records of contact with clients and action taken or agreed for each referral. Provide support and guidance to other Support Workers to ensure consistency and quality of service
  • Positively and practically contribute to the work of the organization taking part in service review meetings, team meetings and other meetings monitoring the quality and consistency of service
  • Complete all necessary administration in accordance with the policies and procedures of BCWA. This includes but is not limited to: answering the telephone; taking messages and action as appropriate; photocopying; ensuring there is an adequate supply of forms etc to manage and deliver the services
  • Develop and implement ideas and suggestions that improve and develop the service
  • To ensure compliance with all funding requirements, including coordinating the collection of statistical data, case studies etc to monitor and evaluate performance and report to funders
  • Assist in the coordination of publicity outlining the needs of and services to clients. Assist in the development of publicity material and other material to promote the organization where appropriate organizing translation/ interpreting services
  • To support the organization to achieve recognized quality standards eg Investors in People, Community Legal Services
  • To assist in the induction and training of other students, interns, volunteers and other Support Workers working with victims of trafficking
  • To achieve personal and team performance targets identified on an annual basis

Information/ Knowledge

  • Maintain an adequate and comprehensive level of knowledge of relevant legislation, government policy and good practice requirements, particularly in homelessness, immigration, cultural diversity and issues around trafficking, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse
  • Ensure that good working relationships are maintained with representatives from other agencies providing services or supporting the work and clients of BCWA and take part in raising awareness with agencies to further support the work of BCWA
  • Ensuring effective communication with other members of staff across the organization
  • Identify key issues affecting victims and assist in the development and monitoring of a Trafficking strategy
  • Identify and develop new services and funding within the refuge that further support clients and inform/ educate about cultural diversity within the refuge
  • To undertake any other duties deemed necessary by the Executive Director to ensure the promotion and effectiveness of BCWA services
  • Have working knowledge on safeguarding adults and children
  • This job description will be subject to review as part of the annual appraisal and the overall financial resources of the organization. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in her development of the post and will participate full in all discussions about the nature of her work and the tasks involved.
  • The post holder must have the ability to travel across all of BCWA’s services, Full driving licence with willingness to use own car.

It is essential to the development of BCWA’s service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post. This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time.
Notes
1)This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau for details of any previous criminal convictions.
2)Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.