Purpose of the post
To assist the development, delivery and quality assurance of all of Hope Project's legal and advice services including the delivery of Legal Assessments to refused asylum seekers; and to develop and run a student placement pilot project
Location
Working from Home and Hope's Birmingham office as required
Contract:
Permanent. 6 months probationary period. 2 months' notice required.
We currently have 1 year funding and will be looking to extend the post beyond that.
Salary
£ NJC .20 .8FTE of £32597)
Hours of work
28 hours per week, Monday – Thursday
Responsible to: Head of Legal Services
Responsible for: Student placements
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services:
1. Ability to safeguard vulnerable adults
2. Help clients obtain documents required prior to initial interviews including client care letters, interview records, refusal letters and judges determinations
3. Interview clients face to face or by telephone in order to understand why they have been refused and what steps can be taken to challenge this and so access housing and support
4. Write up casenotes as required
5. Draft and finalise letter of advice
6. Carry out follow up work including referrals to help clients access help including legal advice, housing and financial support.
7. Meet face to face with clients to explain why they have been refused and what steps they can take to challenge this.
8. Work with interpreters to ensure clients able to fully understand all steps of the process
9. Accurately record data as required
10. Onward referrals including to Adult Social Care
11. Raise awareness of the service, including visiting drop ins or events when required
12. Contribute to Hopes longitudinal study, annual evaluations and periodic reviews
13. Delivering training including at annual fighting destitution conferences
14. Engage with case reviews and other processes Hope may use to ensure quality of casework
15. Contribute to Hopes ongoing development
16. Engage with training including Continuous Professional Development
17. Contribute to Hopes work to raise awareness among policy makers, sector partners and the general public
18. Work with Head of Legal to maintain IAA registration
19. Cooperate with and support Hope Project's other services
20. Engage with support and supervision
21. Engage with reflective practice
22. Be aware of and work within Hope Project's policies and procedures
23. Develop and implement plans for a student placement project alongside the Head of Legal
24. Develop partnerships with education providers
25. Recruit and supervise student placements
26. Report on placement project as required
27. Any other tasks deemed commensurate with the nature of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications
1. Qualified to give immigration and asylum advice at IAA level 2
Experience
1. Proven experience of working supportively with people under stress
2. Experience of working with groups of vulnerable / at risk people
3. Experience of giving legal advice to asylum seekers
4. Experience of working with interpreters
5. Experience of onward referrals
Ability
1. Good listener
2. Excellent organisational abilities
3. Able to work sensitively within professional boundaries
4. Excellent written and spoken English
5. Ability to use common office IT software
6. Able to record data effectively
7. Able to plan and develop small projects
8. Able to supervise volunteers
Knowledge
1. Understanding of legal issues affecting destitute asylum seekers
2. Some understanding of statutory responsibilities to people with No Recourse to Public Funds
Qualities
1. Sympathy towards destitute asylum seekers
2. Good at communicating with colleagues and managers
3. Willing to work both from home and from Hope's Birmingham office base
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £26,077.00 per year
Expected hours: 28 per week
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham B12 9LX