At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide person-centred casework support to disabled individuals and vulnerable adults.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on empowering those in need.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and a fixed-term contract until September 2027.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of supporting vulnerable communities and advocating for their rights.
- Qualifications: Good education, experience in advice/support roles, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32427 - 39633 £ per year.
Under the direction of the Service Manager and Team Leader, to provide an effective and efficient person-centred casework support service to disabled people, vulnerable adults and people with mental ill health.
The postholder will be required to be compliant with and adhere to DRC's contractual arrangements in place for the delivery of IAG Physical Disabilities/Neurological Conditions Service
- 16 Hours per week
- Fixed Term Contract until September 2027
- Salary (16 Hours) £12,999.08 per annum
- Key Tasks
- To provide an effective information and advice service, comprising telephone and online enquires received via email and the website, for disabled people- vulnerable adults and people with mental ill health, working to agreed organisational&Contractual standards and ensuring that all targets and outcomes are met.
- To deliver effective information and advice support by telephone, email, virtually, face to face, home visits and via outreach.
- To work effectively with the service commissioner and/or the lead provider and with DRC to provide high quality, impartial information and advice to clients that comply with Matrix and other organisational standards - supporting and empowering them to address presenting issues relating to housing, welfare benefits, debt, personal budgets, health, employment, access to statutory services, discrimination, and social exclusion.
- To provide IAG casework to clients accessing the service.
- To ensure that the information and advice service stays current, and up to date with disability related legislation and policy guidance.
- To establish and maintain strong contacts with other partners to maintain an effective information and resource bank to support clients.
- To develop DRC’s on-line information resources and ensure these are kept up to date and continue to meet clients’ needs.
- To provide person-centred support across a range of presenting issues relating to housing, welfare, income maximisation and welfare benefits, debt, personal budgets, grant applications, Personal Independent Payments, social care and health, safeguarding, employment, advocacy, access to statutory services, energy efficiency, discrimination and social exclusion.
- To support the establishment and maintenance of external referral procedures with relevant statutory and specialist Third Sector providers to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
- To establish and maintain internal referral and joint working with other DRC teams and services where this is appropriate to meet client need and achieve effective outcomes.
- To maintain accurate and up to date client records and statistics through DRC’s CRM system, including details of advice, casework, attendance, monitoring of progress against client action plan and SMART targets, supporting the provision of service reports and key performance indicators information to DRC’s Executive Team, Board of Directors and funders.
- Personal Specification
- Good standard of education including English & Maths - Essential
- NVQ 3 in Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) or willingness to complete a qualification within first 12 months of employment - Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification - Desirable
- A minimum of 12 months’ experience working in an advice/support/legal setting with disabled people or other social excluded groups. - Essential
- Proven track record of advocating on behalf of excluded groups, supporting them to achieve positive outcomes in relation to housing, welfare, debt, personal budgets, health, employment, access to statutory services - Essential
- Experience of caseload management, including developing and maintaining client case files - Essential
- Experience of working in a multi-faceted role within a small organisation - Essential
- Proven track record of meeting targets and working to deadlines - Essential
- Proven track record of networking and undertaking outreach work - Essential
- Proven track record of working with disabled people - Desirable
- Excellent ICT skills and the confidence to use ICT Packages to coordinate events and communications and record beneficiary data. - Essential
- Awareness and understanding of equal opportunities - Essential
- A clear understanding of the issues affecting disabled people and/or their families and carers - Essential
- A good knowledge and understanding of housing, welfare benefits, personal budgets, education, health and social care legislation and its impact on the rights and entitlements of disabled people - Essential
- A good knowledge and understanding of the support services available to the client group and referral processes to the statutory and non-statutory agencies - Essential
- A good understanding of safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults - Essential
- Communicates clearly and is able to effectively remove barriers to communication - Essential - Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Essential
- The ability to produce correspondence, reports and written documentation using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook - Essential
- An understanding of the purpose of outcomes monitoring and project evaluation and the ability and willingness to capture outcomes data - Essential
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise workload and effectively multi-task - Essential
- Understanding of the Social Model of Disability - Desirable
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
IAG Caseworker employer: BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE
Birmingham Disability Resource Centre is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and community impact, employees benefit from a supportive work culture, opportunities for continuous learning, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Located in Birmingham, this role not only offers meaningful work but also a collaborative environment where your contributions are valued.
Contact Details:
BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IAG Caseworker
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace IAG Caseworker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary IAG Caseworker role at BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
