Asylum Jobs

£41,200 (pro-rata) + 6% pension contribution

21 hours per week

Supported by our CEO, you'll be working with an ambitious and caring organisation that works hard to support refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.  As a relatively small organisation we can be creative and nimble and always strive to work collaboratively. We are looking for a dedicated and passionate individual who can embed our new People strategy, taking our HR function to the next level.

For more information, please refer to the job pack. To apply, please complete our online application form which you can find on our website.

Deadline: 9am 24th June 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 1st July 2024

An exciting opportunity to join a small team working to provide primary health and mental health services to people seeking safety in the UK. The postholder will have the opportunity to work with our medical teams to deliver psychoeducation sessions to people living in asylum accommodation across the UK and be the key connecter between the project team and the service users.

The successful candidate will have experience working with people in the asylum system and an understanding of mental health needs for people going through the asylum system. We are looking for people with fluency in at least one of the key languages: Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish Sorani, Kurdish Badani, Amharic, Tigrinya, Pashto, Daari.

Locations will be flexible and contingent on needs so the postholder will need to be open to travelling to different places across the UK to deliver services.

Job Purpose:

Note this is a joint Doctors of the World UK (DOTW) and MSF project where DOTW is the clinical operational partner and as such the successful candidate will also follow DOTW clinical and safeguarding protocol.

To Support the communication and interaction between target population (migrants and refugees) and care providers (MSF; Partners and NHS), through addressing consequences of language barriers, sociocultural differences, and discrimination.

To support in the carrying out of key activities including facilitation and support for facilitation of psychoeducation sessions to service users. There may also be some work to support the running of the mobile clinic including translation support and casework.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• At least a secondary level of education is required.
• Degree in social sciences, social communication or teaching is desirable.
• Professional course and/or training in interpretation or intercultural mediation is an asset.
• Minimum two years’ experience in a similar position, preferably in medical settings with MSF or other NGOs.
• Previous experience in PFA (psychological first aid) or mental health settings is desirable.
• Previous experience in migration/refugees’ contexts is essential.
• Fluent in Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Kurdish, Pashto, Persian or Tigrinya is an advantage
• Knowledge of migration dynamics and of the affected population.
• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite.  The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.

Right to work - Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Employment sponsorship will NOT be offered by MSF UK for this role.

MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.

How to Apply:

Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date:

2 June 2024, 11.59pm (GMT)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We are recruiting a part time Advice Worker – Asylum Support, £37,616 pro rata, hybrid working,

We are seeking an experienced Asylum Support Advice Worker to help deliver our new maternity health justice partnership targeting refugee and asylum seeking women in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.

About Maternity Action

Established in 2008, Maternity Action protects and strengthens the rights of pregnant women and new parents to employment, social security and healthcare, irrespective of migration status.

We employ specialist employment and asylum/immigration lawyers who represent women who experience maternity discrimination at work, difficulties in accessing maternity pay and benefits or are wrongly charged for their NHS maternity care. We provide second tier advice to NGOs on housing and subsistence for refugee, asylum seeking and migrant women. We support strategic litigation within our areas of expertise. Our policy and campaigning work is driven by the injustice we see from our advice services. We prioritise issues affecting low income and marginalised women, including migrant and asylum seeking women.

Maternity Action has grown over the past four years and we are now a team of 26. We are passionate about our work, but we are committed to our staff having a genuine work life balance. The majority of our employees have some form of caring responsibilities and Maternity Action is a genuinely flexible employer. 22 of our 26 staff work part time and staff are located across the UK. We have recently expanded our operations and have developed two Health Justice Partnerships with NHS Trusts.  We are funded by a variety of large charitable funders, smaller grant making organisations and unions.

About the role

We have secured funding for a 12 month pilot maternity health justice partnership targeting refugee and asylum seeking women in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.  This is the first UK maternity health justice partnership targeting this group of women.  We have an existing maternity health justice partnership in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire which advises on employment rights, maternity pay and mainstream benefits.

You will deliver advice to pregnant women and new mothers on Home Office support and healthcare entitlements and provide ongoing advice and support where needed.  You will also refer to other support services as needed, including food banks, baby banks and community groups.  You will deliver outreach and engagement sessions to maternity services and voluntary organisations, working with our Outreach and Engagement Officer.  You will also contribute to the development, monitoring and evaluation of the pilot. The role will keep up to date with asylum support and related developments.

This role forms part of our Immigration and Asylum Advice team, which is led by our Senior Legal Officer.  The team consists of a Legal Officer, Senior Project Officer and Casework Support Officer.  The role will coordinate with the advice and outreach workers delivering our employment and benefits maternity health justice partnership in the region.

About you

We are looking for an experienced adviser with a thorough knowledge of asylum support and experience of liaising with the Home Office and Migrant Help.  You will have experience of delivering complex advice, preferably by telephone, of advocating on behalf of vulnerable client groups and working with interpreters.  You will have an excellent phone manner and the ability to deal with discussions of sensitive health issues.

We particularly welcome applications from Black and minoritised ethnic candidates and from people with lived experience of pregnancy or parenting, low income or migration.  We welcome applications from people returning from a career break.

Working arrangements

The post is 21 hours per week.  There is a core day (Thursday) and we are otherwise flexible about start/finish time and days worked, within normal business hours. 

The post can be delivered through a mix of home and office based working and will involve outreach sessions.  Office location is likely to be in Hulme, Manchester.  You must be based in the North West.

Salary is £37,616 pro rata plus 8% pension.

This is a 12 month post with the possibility of extension

How to apply

Please send us your CV and an application of no more than two sides of A4 outlining how you meet the selection criteria.

The closing date for applications is 5 June 2024.  Interviews will be held remotely on 13 June 2024.

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s Drop-In for Asylum Seeker Families was established in June 2014.

Opening one Sunday afternoon each month, we welcome families with children under the age of sixteen who are applying for asylum in the UK. We provide a warm and welcoming space for our guests and give money or vouchers, advice, clothing, food and toiletries. We invite hundreds of people into the synagogue, and the Project Co-ordinator is expected to manage the logistics of this.

Our volunteers are experienced and loyal, all having a particular interest in assisting asylum seekers and refugees. The project is interfaith, and we encourage applications from within the LJS community and beyond.

We are seeking to recruit a Project Co-ordinator. This is currently a part-time post 20-25 hours per week, with a degree of flexibility as to when these hours are worked. The hours include working one weekend per month: setting up the Drop-in on the Saturday (after the Shabbat morning service), and running the Drop-in on the Sunday. Attending Steering Group Meetings (currently on ‘Zoom’) is also a requirement on a weekday evening 4-6 times per annum.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

· Maintaining a safe and secure register of our guests and checking eligibility criteria

· Reviewing guests’ documentation

· Referring guests to other services where appropriate

· Answering emails from prospective guests and maintaining a ‘Waiting List’

· Inviting guests to the Drop-In by text/email as appropriate

· Preparing lists of guests attending; clearly showing their financial entitlements on the day

· Liaising with the three Volunteer Co-ordinators on a regular basis

· Interviewing new volunteers, and advertising the project beyond the scope of the synagogue

· Responding to enquiries (via telephone /email) relating to the Drop-In from various parties

· Checking that Security Guard/s are hired appropriately

· Ensuring cash is obtained in a timely fashion from the LJS office to distribute on the Sunday

· Monitoring volunteer expenses

· Reviewing accounts in conjunction with the Steering Group

· Coordinating grant applications and keeping key stakeholders up to date

About Us

The Harbour Project has supported people seeking asylum and people with Refugee status for more than 20 years, giving us a huge depth of knowledge and insight to draw upon. We are the only organisation in Swindon and Wiltshire providing face-to-face support specifically for this community. By providing advice, support, activities, and friendship, our mission is to be a family for every individual who seeks asylum or is granted Refugee status in Swindon, and to help them rebuild their lives. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from those with Lived Experience of the UK asylum system.

Job Purpose

The Advice Centre at The Harbour Project is the heart of the charity. Seeing 30 to 40 people a day, our team of Advisors provide key help and support to Harbour Visitors (our beneficiaries), responding to a variety of questions and issues. For those seeking asylum, this includes: health-related matters, access to education, accessing asylum support, contacting immigration solicitors, Migrant Help, and the Home Office. For those with Refugee status, questions often revolve around: applying for mainstream benefits, accessing housing, and finding employment opportunities. 

This is a new position, following restructuring of other roles within the team. The role gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society, providing important and necessary support to those who might otherwise be excluded.

Please find the Specific Responsibilities, Essential and Desirable Criteria listed on the Job Description.

Barnardo's are excited to be recruiting to a new post – a Wellbeing Practitioner who will be embedded within the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and Young People (UASC) team within Nottinghamshire County Council.  This new opportunity will be part of the larger Time 2 Talk team based within Nottinghamshire County Council's Leaving Care team.   

We are recruiting to one fixed term post of one year at 37 hours per week.  This post will be employed by Barnardo's and will primarily be based in Arnold.  However the post will involve travel across the County and potentially further afield depending on where UASC young people are located.Nottinghamshire County Council's UASC team works across children in care and leaving care services, and works with young people from the age of approx. 14 to 25.

We are looking to recruit 1 full time (37 hours) Wellbeing Practitioner for one year with the following qualifications/skills/experience:

• A professional qualification (Minimum Diploma level), with evidence of continuing professional development in a field relevant to child and young person mental health
• Registered with a Professional Body such as BACP, HCPC, UKCP, NMC
• Experience in supporting children and young people in one or more ways detailed below:

Person Centred Therapy

Integrative

Behavioural (DBT, CBT)

Counselling

EMDR

• An understanding of the challenges UASC young people face.
• An understanding of legislation and policies in relation to Safeguarding young people.
• A commitment to and understanding of the need to work with UASC young people in a trauma informed way.
• A commitment to working in partnership and collaborating with the Leaving Care team and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust particularly the Transitions team, the Children in Care CAMHS team and Adult Mental Health services.
• Experience offering mental health support, consultation and interventions to young people and professionals working with them; ensuring the young person actively participates in planning their own support.

Previous applicants need not apply. 

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out 1st April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a key pillar of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to grow and develop in their career at Barnardo's as it will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues to progress through the pay band of their role.

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay progression steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced youth worker to join our Brent team. You will bring energy, compassion, and resilience to make a real change to the life chances of young people in the UK asylum system.

You will be responsible for supporting young people aged 14-25 years, enabling them to access a range of social, emotional, and practical support as they navigate the complex and challenging processes of the UK asylum system.You will help us run activities for young people at our advice hub on Wednesday evenings in Brent and run our youth group on Thursday evenings in Brent n as well as our sporting activities and trips.

You will work closely with our Brent Youth Development Coordinator. You will need to be able to work under pressure, acting as a consistent and stable point of contact for young people, ensuring that their safety and well-being are paramount.

About you

We would like to hear from you if you have the following:

· Demonstrable experience in supporting vulnerable young people in a similar role, particularly through youth activities in 1;1 and/or group settings, or befriending/mentoring 

· Good knowledge of the UK asylum system and the related challenges facing young refugees and asylum-seekers in contingency accommodation

· Strong ability to problem-solve, research information and solutions, and to take initiative

· Working knowledge of child protection issues and safeguarding processes 

· Ability to empathise, communicate and engage effectively with young people in distress 

· Ability to handle complex, sensitive and confidential information appropriately

· You are available to work on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

How to Apply

To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please see the link below.

To apply, please submit your CV alongside a brief covering letter which should articulate why you want this role.

Young Roots offers a competitive package, with a generous 28-day annual leave entitlement, flexible working and 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution)

Founded in 2004, Young Roots works with young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25, in London, to improve their wellbeing and fulfil their potential. We provide direct services for young people, including youth and sporting activities, one-to-one intensive Casework support, 

access to therapeutic and legal support, English-language learning and youth leadership. We run parallel services in Croydon, Kings Cross and Brent supporting hundreds of young refugees and asylum seekers each year, from 40+ countries, many of whom are unaccompanied.

We have an ambitious strategic plan, framed by our values, which includes our aim to draw on our deep understanding of the challenges young refugees and asylum seekers face to advocate for better systems and policies, both locally and nationally, with and for the young people we support and the wider community of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

Young Roots is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.

Young Roots is an equal-opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

No agencies please.

£36,307 + 6% pension contribution

35  hours per week

Working closely with our Housing and Welfare Benefits Manager you will supervise advisors and volunteers, ensuring asylum seekers, refugees and migrants receive high quality housing and benefit advice. You will manage your own caseload, support the team to develop and contribute to our campaign work.

For more information, please refer to the job pack. To apply, please submit your CV and answer the application questions on Charity Job.

Deadline: 9am 24th June 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 1st July 2024

Could you be our new Duty Scheme Legal Advisor? You will play a pivotal role in supporting ASAP’s duty scheme at the First Tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) which offers vital, free legal representation for people seeking asylum who need access to justice after being wrongly refused Home Office housing or financial support. 

The Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP) is a small national charity which was set up in 2003 to reduce the destitution of people seeking asylum by protecting their legal rights to food and shelter. ASAP delivers three strands of work:

• We offer free, high-quality legal representation at the Asylum Support Tribunal (AST) to people appealing against Home Office decisions to refuse or discontinue their support

• We provide asylum support advice and training to hundreds of frontline organisations, advice agencies and legal practitioners working with people seeking asylum each year. We operate an advice line and online forum (Asylum Support Advice Network -ASAN) for over 1000 members

• We use our strong evidence base to improve policies and procedures on asylum support through closely linked policy work and strategic litigation

Alongside this, we run a women’s project, to ensure we offer a gender sensitive service to destitute women seeking asylum, to train women’s organisations in asylum support law, and to progress policy work for women seeking asylum, currently focused on access to support for those experiencing domestic abuse

We are looking for someone who is committed to access to justice for people refused housing and financial support from the Home Office. You will assist with the day to day running of the duty scheme, ensuring it offers a quality service to appellants and referrers. You will support our volunteer advocates (volunteer solicitors and barristers) to provide high quality legal representation and advice. You will be legally-minded with a strong interest in asylum support and have the ability, after induction and with ongoing supervision from our Head of Legal, to provide advice and legal representation to appellants at the asylum support Tribunal (AST) and answer calls on our advice line. You will feed in to our wider work on asylum support policy and strategic litigation, working collaboratively with colleagues in the policy team to ensure they are kept up to date with issues arising out of appeals.

This is a new, full-time position. Our offices are in East London, near the AST. Under our hybrid working policy, full-time staff work from our offices for a minimum of 2 days per week.

Micro Rainbow is a leading UK organisation working with LGBTQI people seeking asylum and LGBTQI refugees to enable them to live in safety, with dignity and to rebuild their lives. Our operational teams are based across the UK providing specialist support to LGBTQI people on: safe housing; navigating the complex asylum system; addressing homelessness and poverty; tackling social isolation and accessing health care, education, and employment.

Micro Rainbow has ambitions not only to meet fully the demand for safe housing of LGBTQI asylum seekers by increasing the number of its safe houses but also to improve the experience of LGBTQI people seeking asylum and LGBTQI refugees across the UK by providing specialist LGBTQI services.

Micro Rainbow is looking for an Individual Giving Manager to create an individual giving and fundraising strategy for the organisation. In this newly created position, you will play a crucial role in nurturing relationships with individual supporters to make a difference to the lives of LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. As Individual Giving Manager you will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies to attract, retain, and upgrade Micro Rainbow’s allies (individual donors), ensuring a steady and growing stream of funding and contributing to the sustainability of Micro Rainbow.

This role requires a candidate with a strong background in building relationships and identifying and developing new prospects. They will need experience in the development of strategic and creative giving programmes and to be excited at the prospect of pursuing new opportunities for the organisation by engaging with individual and major donors, and high net worth individuals.

Rainbow Migration, the longest-running charity in Europe dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system, is recruiting a Legal Officer to advise and help improve the representation of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum, and help change the asylum and immigration system to one that treats everyone with compassion, dignity and respect.

We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister with valid practising certificate, or already accredited to Level 3 OISC, with two years’ experience in providing advice and representation in asylum including working in legal aid.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the legal advice service. Under the guidance of our Legal Service Manager, you will also build capacity amongst legal representatives by designing and delivering training, giving second tier advice and developing and coordinating a network of practitioners working in this area. You will use the knowledge you gain in this role to help deliver Rainbow Migration’s policy work, such as inputting into policy papers and meeting with partner organisations when required.

We will also consider applications from people who do not want to do the policy elements of the job, but to instead focus on first and second tier advice. Please mention in your covering letter if you are applying for this option.

This is a unique opportunity to build on your experience as a lawyer to improve representation across the sector and create change in government policy and practice. You will be supported to develop as a specialist lawyer and in your policy skills.

Responsibilities will include:

· Deliver one-off advice to adult LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and work with colleagues to refer them to quality legal aid and pro bono lawyers

· Provide casework assistance e.g. helping to prepare witness statements, making referrals to other specialist organisations and taking other urgent steps (whilst not representing service users or maintaining a caseload)

· Provide occasional advice (within competence) on other issues affecting asylum and partnership service users such as asylum support, legal aid, trafficking, family reunion or community care

· Deliver second tier advice to the legal representatives of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and other charities and professionals

· Work with the Legal Service Manager to design and deliver training to lawyers, NGOs and other professionals

· Write blogs and articles on asylum and immigration policy and legislation as they apply to LGBTQI+ people

· Contribute to policy and briefing papers

· Assist with preparing guidelines and briefings for legal services and pro bono lawyers

The Legal Officer will not be providing direct legal representation of service users. However, the role includes substantive advice and casework within the scope of legal support and referrals for our service users, as well as merits testing and second tier advice.

Rainbow Migration’s vision is that LGBTQI+ people can settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives. Our values are: 

· Safety: We believe everyone should be safe from persecution and safe to be themselves. We strive to create a safe workplace culture, and we place importance on the wellbeing of everyone involved with Rainbow Migration. 

· Integrity: We are thorough and honest in everything we do, and we take responsibility for our actions. We want to be accountable to our communities and those who support us. 

· Belonging: We welcome and include all LGBTQI+ people, and we celebrate and value their range of experience in terms of gender, religion, race, age, disability status and class. We try to remove obstacles to participation, champion equality and promote a sense of family or home through our services. 

· Respect: We believe that every person is equal and deserves the same level of courtesy, care, and attention. We respect the rights, wishes and feelings of our service users, and campaign for their rights to be respected as they go through the asylum and immigration system. 

At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We consider all qualified applicants, consistent with any legal requirements. 

We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of going through the UK asylum or immigration system or who have been subject to immigration control. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they meet the necessary criteria in the person specification.

Owing to the nature of the work, the successful applicant will be required at the point of conditional job offer to disclose all spent and unspent criminal records and subsequently to undergo an enhanced DBS check. See our website for more information.

Contract Type: Permanent.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week). Working part-time or job-sharing will be considered. Occasional work in the evenings and at weekends may be required but with plenty of notice. Rainbow Migration encourages staff to maintain a good work life balance and has a TOIL system in place.

Salary: Starting at £40,175, with potential annual step increases up to £44,868 (pro-rata for part-time employees), plus statutory employer’s pension contribution. In addition to an annual step increase, the trustees consider giving a separate inflationary increase every April. 

Location: Remote or from Rainbow Migration’s offices in central London. Hybrid working will also be considered. The successful candidate could work from anywhere in the UK but would be expected to occasionally travel to London and other parts of the country for meetings and events. At the time of posting this advert, none of our staff are going into the office every day. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Annual Leave: 25 days per year rising after 24 months by 1 day after each year of service to maximum of 28 days per year (pro rata if working part-time).

Wellbeing: We offer up to two days of wellbeing leave to be taken at short notice in each calendar year. One-to-one clinical supervision is also available for this role.

How to apply

Closing date: 10am on 31 May 2024

Interview dates: 12 June and 13 June 2024

Please read the job description and person specification. If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, then you can contact the line manager via the email address you will find in the Job Description.

Please send:

1. Your CV

2. A written statement (max 1,000 words). Instead of a written statement you may submit your statement by video or audio recording (max 8 minutes)

to the email address in the Job Description

3. Optional: please use the link you will find in the Job Description to complete a monitoring form

In your statement, please:

1. Give examples of how you meet the person specification. In addition to what is on your CV, we want to hear about any relevant skills and experience that demonstrate how you meet the necessary criteria for the role, and if you meet any of the advantageous criteria. Skills and experience could be from training, volunteering, interests or life experience

2. Confirm if you wish to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme for anyone considered as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 (physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ effect on your ability to do normal daily activities)

3. State how many hours a week you wish to work and if you have a preferred pattern, or if you are applying as part of a job-share

4. If you do not want to do the policy elements of the job and instead focus on first and second tier advice, please mention this.

By submitting an application, you:

1. Confirm that you have the right to work in the UK and will produce the necessary documentation if you are offered this post.

2. Declare that to the best of your knowledge and belief, the information provided with your application is true and correct and that you understand that any false information or statement given will justify the dismissal from Rainbow Migration if appointed.

3. Accept that, if successful, you will be required to disclose all spent and unspent criminal records at the point of conditional job and subsequently to undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (see JD for web address), which aims to create a charitable sector that is led by people with lived experience of the asylum and immigration system. As part of this network, we challenge the one-size-fits-all approach in our employment practices, and respect personal circumstances and needs of people with lived experience. Please feel free to use information and resources at the web address in the JD which may help in preparing your job application.

Privacy notice

If you apply for this role, the information you provide will be processed according to Rainbow Migration's privacy policy (web address is in the JD). Rainbow Migration will not share your information with any third parties unless part of the recruitment process or are legally required to do so. By applying, you are permitting Rainbow Migration to access and use the information for recruitment purposes. Rainbow Migration will store your data for 12 months after the conclusion of the recruitment campaign. Monitoring information is kept separately and is pseudonymised to avoid identification of applicants. It is amalgamated for statistical purposes and the original data is then deleted after six months.

About us: 

The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) is one of the largest immigration and asylum advice charities in the UK, supporting refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to access justice. An OISC level 3 accredited organisation, we represent clients at all stages of the immigration and asylum process, up to and including the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

We also actively campaign for a fairer and more humane immigration system. RAMFEL caseworkers therefore have the opportunity to work on systemic and strategic challenges and support broader advocacy work.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the impact of UK immigration policy and/or of rough sleeping.

Purpose of the role: 

The purpose of the role is to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. There will be particular focus on working with people who are facing a crisis, providing legal representation and support that will take them out of destitution.

This is a vacant position being filled as a replacement. The role gives an opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The focus of the role is on supporting people who otherwise have no access to legal advice and support. 

We will primarily consider applications with relevant legal experience. Qualifications needed are OISC level 2/3 or Solicitor with IAAS accreditation.

Relationships: This post will report to the Rough Sleeping Casework Manager

Contract duration: Fixed term until 31 March 2025

Hours of work: The role is primarily a full-time position, requiring 37.5 hours per week. However, for the right candidate, we may consider accommodating part-time working hours. Given the nature of RAMFEL’s work, there may be instances where the Supervisor will need to exceed the standard hours. In such cases, compensatory time off can be arranged with the line manager

Specific Responsibilities

Case management 

1. Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
2. Adhere to standards set out by OISC/SRA and AQS to deliver high-quality advice
3. Provide representation and advice up to OISC level 2/3.
4. Engage with the Line Manager to create and follow a training plan to ensure compliance with OISC CPD, keeping up to date with changes in law, policy and guidance to ensure clients receive accurate and high-quality advice
5. Liaise directly with the UKVI and related governmental agencies
6. Complete forms, letters and immigration applications
7. Liaise with and refer clients to Legal Aid Solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
8. Manage clients’ expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing 
9. Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries/drop in as and when required 
10. Progress cases in a timely manner in line with regulatory requirements.
11. Implement organisational priorities into day-to-day casework.

Person Specification 

Education/qualifications

• Ideally candidates must be Solicitors with IAAS Level 2 with at least 1-year immigration experience or OISC level 2/3 qualified
• If OISC level 1, the candidate will be expected to initially work under supervision completing level 2 work and qualifying at level 2 within 6 months. (Training is provided and study leave is accommodated.) Upon obtaining a higher level of accreditation, the candidate’s salary will increase in line with RAMFEL pay scales.
• IAAS level 2 caseworkers (non-solicitor) will be considered but if appointed must be prepared to work under supervision and qualify at level 1 within 6 months. (Training is provided and study leave is accommodated) Upon obtaining a higher level of accreditation, the candidate’s salary will increase in line with RAMFEL pay scales.

Experience/knowledge

•  Experience in providing high-quality advice and representation to clients
•  A good understanding of law and policy as it relates to immigration and asylum 
• Experience in professional, independent, and impartial service delivery to the public 
• Experience in maintaining a caseload of cases in line with OISC requirements in relation to the conduct of cases, file management and supervision
• Knowledge of and empathy with the backgrounds and experiences of asylum seekers, rough sleepers and vulnerable migrants
• Experience in using client databases
• Experience working with interpreters supporting clients with complex matters

About us

Room to Heal is a human rights charity and therapeutic community based in London. We support people who have survived torture and organised violence to rebuild their lives in exile, through an integrated programme of therapeutic and casework assistance. We offer a range of activities including: therapeutic support groups, gardening, individual therapy and casework, cooking and social gatherings, and therapeutic retreats.

At the heart of our work lies the cultivation of community, through which our members can restore meaningful relationships, overcome the legacy of their traumatic experiences and integrate into the UK. Our community is currently made up of over 100 members from over 30 countries: including former political prisoners; people who have been persecuted on account of their sexuality or religious belief; and those who have escaped trafficking.

Room to Heal is staffed by a team of committed individuals, who work hard but also recognise that a friendly, nurturing environment is crucial for all of our well-being. By joining Room to Heal you would also become a part of a small, close-knit, multi-cultural and inspiring community and be able to see first-hand the positive changes that your work enables in the lives of torture survivors.

About the role

Provide casework support to members of our community who need help with accessing housing, education, training and employment, benefits or asylum support, destitution and financial support, and support with accessing good immigration and asylum legal support. You will work closely with two other caseworkers, and a team of therapists. This role also includes supporting community activities during the week.

Hours: 3.5 days per week; Fridays essential
Contract: Fixed term until March 2027
Start-date: Immediate

Deadline: 15th June 2024

Interviews: w/c 24th June 2024

We are looking for an Advice Service Manager to join our passionate and hardworking team. The successful candidate must have an in depth understanding of refugee and asylum seeker support needs. Key elements of the role include:

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management Team:

• As part of the Management Team to oversee the function of the organisation and its strategic development, especially in relation to SRS’s advice service

Service Development

• Be responsible for developing the advice service according to organisational needs and strategy

 Team Management:

• To line manage and develop a team of Advice Workers and Reception/Admin Officer, to ensure they are suitably trained and supported to deliver a high-quality advice service across the county
• To line manage the Employment and Training Coordinator to ensure the employment and training team delivers an effective and cohesive service, which complements the work of the advice team

 Management of Advice Service and Direct Service Provision:

• To ensure that the advice service promotes equality of access to all asylum seekers and refugees (clients) seeking advice and that they feel welcome and effectively supported
• To manage the advice team across the following areas:

1. To assess clients’ needs and propose actions to address these needs (e.g. writing letters or emails and/or making telephone calls) in a professional manner
2. To ensure that clients have access to advice about all aspects of living in the UK and to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities under UK law
3. To work to achieve agreed outcomes which will bring about positive changes in our clients’ lives
4. To promote independence on the part of the clients and actively empower them to help themselves according to their individual abilities
5. To direct clients to other services provided by Suffolk Refugee Support and / or external agencies (making appointments where appropriate)
6. To respond to telephone requests for information from clients, statutory, voluntary, and private sector organisations and the general public

The Advice Service Manager will:

• Guide the advice service team on complex casework, where needed
• Building on the advice team’s expertise, and with the support of the HR and Training Officer, ensure that their team is up to date on the latest legislation and procedures that impact the asylum seekers and refugees we work with
• Be responsible for decision making and for ensuring that direct funding and grants to clients are in line with policy

Newly arrived asylum seeker support

• To keep abreast of numbers of new arrivals of asylum seekers into Suffolk
• To facilitate clothing donations to those in most need, ensuring that stocks are maintained
• To ensure that clients in asylum accommodation across Suffolk can access our services
• To develop and oversee positive activities for asylum seekers, such as sports and music groups (in liaison with SRS's Operations Manager)

Immigration support lead

• To develop good relationships with immigration legal services and solicitors to ensure that clients can access the information they require and that clients understand the processes they are going through

 Vulnerable Client & Safeguarding Lead

• To be the support lead for very vulnerable clients or where there are cases with safeguarding concerns

Client representation

• To promote the views and experiences of SRS’s clients at external meetings and advisory boards, by participation in face to face and virtual meetings and in giving occasional presentations, using on-the-ground knowledge

Partnership working

• To develop and maintain good working relationships with external service providers and agencies, and to oversee joint working and services development

Monitoring, Evaluation and Donor Reporting

• To ensure services given and outcomes achieved are recorded on internal monitoring systems and that data protection regulations are adhered to
• To provide monthly summary reports for the Charity Manager and board of trustees
• To compile reports in reference to our funders’ outcomes and targets
• To help with the development & administration of written information produced by SRS for our clients’ benefit
• To contribute to development of new services and funding applications