As a Casework Volunteer, you will support the Case Work Coordinators to deliver our advice service to clients. You will be part of a small and friendly team of paid staff and volunteers with a strong commitment to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants. 
Our approach emphasises empowerment and supports clients towards independence but this is a graduated path and your tasks may include:

Supporting clients to understand and complete immigration application forms, under the supervision of OISC-accredited staff
Supporting clients to complete Universal Credit and other benefit applications and to manage their Universal Credit accounts
Supporting clients to manage their Manchester Move accounts
Completing client referrals to hostels and night shelters
Supporting clients with school admission applications 
Supporting clients to manage their utility payments
Supporting clients to apply for replacement ID cards online
Writing letters for clients, for example, to show that they are accessing the service at Revive
Carrying out online research, providing information to clients and assisting with other tasks as required.

You would also be required to:

Complete case notes of all work undertaken with clients
Keep up-to-date records of client information.
Liaise with external service providers as required
Attend training on topics relevant to your role. With proof of commitment, there may be opportunities to work towards qualifications such as OISC Level 1, a Level 3 NVQ Certificate In Advice & Guidance (QCF), or an OCNLR Level 1 Award in Information, Advice & Guidance

In this role, you will:

Gain experience of advice work and of the voluntary sector
Develop skills and knowledge in a range of disciplines, including the immigration system, benefits, health and housing provision

The successful candidate will have:

A good level of both spoken and written English
Competence in ICT – specifically, the ability to use the internet, fill in forms online and use Microsoft Office
The ability to learn quickly, take responsibility and work on their own initiative
Experience of dealing with complex legislation or the willingness and ability to do so
Empathy for and an understanding of the needs of refugees, asylum-seekers and other migrants
An interest in developing advice and advocacy skills
An approach to work which is empowering, professional, non-judgemental and supportive of individuals from a range of different backgrounds

It would be desirable for the successful candidate to have some prior knowledge of the UK benefits, housing and/or immigration systems but this is not compulsory and training will be provided in these areas if the competencies above are met.
Additional Information

The successful candidate must be prepared to commit to working one day per week for a period of six months (our Immigration drop-in is on a Tuesday in Beswick and our Social Support drop-in is on a Wednesday in Salford so we ideally need people who can support at one of these sessions)
The successful candidate may be required to undergo a DBS check
 We reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses
Lunch is provided at drop-in sessions