Welfare Support Officer
Location: Bradford
Salary: up to £28,917 per annum
Type: Full-time, Permanent, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Benefits include a company vehicle and fuel card or a £3,500 company car allowance.
Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers while their claims are being assessed in three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. As of May 2021, Mears supported over 19,000 service users across these regions. We collaborate with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, expand social and affordable housing, and develop specialized housing for individuals with care needs.
About the Role:
Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Welfare Support Officer to join our team. This role is dedicated to supporting asylum seekers throughout their right to work and asylum application process with the Home Office. The ideal candidate will be resilient, trustworthy, caring, empathetic, and a people person. Every day presents new challenges and rewards, making this a fulfilling position.
Main Responsibilities:
* Support service users at various stages of their asylum application, including safeguarding and welfare issues.
* Provide practical and emotional support to service users.
* Monitor wellbeing and support needs, ensuring all records are accurate for Home Office audits.
* Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate resilience to meet service users' needs effectively.
Role Criteria:
* Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
* Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
* Ability to identify individual and family support needs and develop appropriate support plans.
* Experience with mental health and challenging behaviors.
* Effective communication skills with colleagues, authorities, and service users.
* Experience in record keeping and risk assessments.
* Ability to work independently.
* Resilience and flexibility.
* Supportive, trustworthy, approachable, and empathetic nature.
* Willingness to travel.
* Full UK driving license.
Note: All roles require the entitlement to work in the UK. We do not sponsor visas.
As part of the recruitment process, a DBS & BPSS check and Security Clearance will be conducted. Applicants must provide proof of ID, address, references, a valid passport, and evidence of UK residence for the past 5 years.
To operate a Mears vehicle, applicants must be over 21, have held a license for over 3 months, and have fewer than 9 points.
Benefits:
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Annual Mears Fun Day
* Volunteering Leave
* Staff discounts through Mears Rewards
* Family-friendly policies
* Company vehicle and fuel card
* Access to EAP counselling services
To apply or discuss your application, contact Beth Dunford at beth.dunford@mearsgroup.co.uk.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and support the Armed Forces Covenant and social mobility initiatives.
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