Welfare Support Officer
Leeds
Salary up to £28,917 per annum
Full time – Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday
Including a company vehicle and fuel card or £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 work in partnership with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, increase social and affordable housing, and develop specialized housing for people with care needs.
About the Role:
Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Welfare Support Officer to join our team. This role focuses on supporting asylum seekers through their right to work application process with the Home Office. The ideal candidate will be resilient, trustworthy, caring, empathetic, and a good communicator. Every day presents new challenges and rewards, making this a fulfilling role.
Main duties include supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application, addressing safeguarding and welfare issues, providing practical and emotional support, monitoring wellbeing, and maintaining accurate records for Home Office audits. Maintaining professional boundaries and resilience is essential to deliver a high-quality, supportive service tailored to the needs of service users.
Role Criteria:
* Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
* Understanding of safeguarding procedures
* Ability to assess individual and family needs and identify appropriate support packages to promote independence
* Experience with mental health issues and challenging behaviors
* Effective communication skills with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
* Experience in record keeping and risk assessments
* Ability to work independently
* Resilience and professionalism
* Supportive, trustworthy, empathetic, and approachable
* Flexibility and willingness to travel
* Full UK driving license
Note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK; Mears does not sponsor visas.
Recruitment checks: DBS & BPSS checks, security clearance, and relevant identification including proof of address, references, valid passport, and proof of UK residency for the last 5 years.
Driving requirements: Must be over 21, hold a license for over 3 months, and have fewer than 9 penalty points.
Benefits:
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Annual Mears Fun Day
* Paid volunteering leave
* Discounts through Mears Rewards
* Family-friendly policies
* Company vehicle and fuel card
* Access to EAP counseling
To apply or discuss your application, contact:
Beth Dunford (beth.dunford@mearsgroup.co.uk)
We support diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and support the Armed Forces Covenant with a Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We also promote social mobility and encourage applicants to share background information voluntarily to help us improve opportunities for diverse candidates.
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