Refugee Resettlement Support Worker

Refugee Resettlement Support Worker

Contracted Weekly Hours:  37.5

Contract type:  Permanent

Salary:  £22,425 per year

Annual Leave:  25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays per year

Location:  Based in Bournemouth, for regular travel across BCP with some travel across Dorset likely. Hybrid working when not on visits.

International Care Network is a Christian charity whose aim is to help to rebuild the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. We are looking for an experienced support worker to support individuals and families under all relevant Government resettlement schemes (predominantly Ukrainian and Afghan, but not limited to), who have been resettled in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset.

Responsibilities:

• Take on refugee families or individuals and their support, under the guidance and support of the ICN Resettlement Manager. This includes arranging and/or liaising with
  • ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
  • Health (GP, hospital appointments and consultant referrals, including referrals to mental health services where appropriate)
  • Utilities
  • Support with accessing the welfare system (Job Centre)
  • Budgeting assistance
  • Access to education (Schooling/Nursery)
  • Introduction to local area and community integration (including support navigating local transport)
  • Support into volunteering and employment opportunities as well as giving general advice and support suited to each of the family’s needs.
• Arrange and attend meetings/appointments with various public services and/or stakeholders. This could be anything from hospital/doctor’s appointments to school parent’s evenings.
• Liaise with the local volunteers who support the resettled families.
• Liaise with the local authority leads for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) when and where appropriate, under the guidance and support of the Resettlement Manager.
• Book interpreters for meetings/appointments where appropriate.
• Liaise with the families regularly (via interpreters if needed) regarding their schedules, needs, appointments etc.
• Visit the families in their homes regularly for support work.
• Complete various application forms for and/or with the families (this could be welfare forms, school admission forms etc).
• Keep up-to-date and accurate records for each family.
• Record simple data for quarterly statistic reports.
• Attend the occasional evening/weekend event (this is very infrequent and will always be discussed in advance).
• Adhere to all ICN policies and procedures including lone working, code of conduct, safeguarding and Confidentiality.
• To represent ICN in all aspects of the role and to be supportive of ICN’s ethos.
• To play an active and supportive role in the organisation and to undertake additional tasks as requested where appropriate.

Person Specification:

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• To be an experienced, effective and efficient support worker, particularly of vulnerable people/families. To be able to take initiative to coordinate the work needed to support the families.
• Experience of relating to or working with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants (Desirable).
• Understanding of the Government’s resettlement schemes (Desirable). (e.g. The Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy, Homes for Ukraine).
• Understanding of reasons why people are having to flee, and the challenges refugees may face when resettling here.
• Confident to use initiative.
• To maintain clear appropriate boundaries in all beneficiary, stakeholder, public and staff relationships.
• To provide care and compassion without discrimination.
• To identify the appropriate relationship between compassion and organisational constraints in responding to client cases.
• Able to relate to people of other cultures and faiths, or none.
• To be able to complete records and paperwork quickly and effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good administration skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of working with local authority and other stake holders, and to be able to relate and communicate professionally with them.
• Good time management, particularly being able to manage your own workload which will involve supporting various families at once.
• To be able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Transparent, actively open, positive and accountable in all matters.
• To be supportive of ICN’s ethos.
• Members of staff are required to be sympathetic to the Christian values and ethos of the organisation. Please see the ‘Our Story’ section of our website for more information (https://www.icn.org.uk/about-us/our-story/). Stephen Foster (COO) warmly welcomes any questions or discussion about this or any aspect of the JD. He can be contacted on 01202 589395.

Additional Requirements:

• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
• There will be a substantial driving requirement for this role across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. You will need a valid UK driving licence and your own reliable vehicle and to be a confident driver. Work related mileage will be paid to you monthly alongside your salary at 45p per mile. You will be required to visit families and support them with local appointments. This sometimes means having the families in your car with you and so business insurance will be required.

Please note: This job description and person specification are intended as a general guide to the duties and responsibilities of the role and should not be regarded as exhaustive. ICN is an equal opportunity employer, and individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Accountability:

To the Resettlement Manager

Benefits:

Company pension scheme

Staff welfare opportunities including socials.

Training opportunities relevant to role.

To apply for this position, please send your C.V. (including two people we can contact for a reference) and a covering letter outlining why you are suitable for this position to Nataliya Kravchuk (Resettlement Manager) by end of play Thursday 18th January 2024. Applications can be sent by email to: [email protected]. Interviews likely to take place week commencing 22nd January 2024.