Educational Placement Volunteer (Refugee Support Casework Assistant - Leeds)

Our educational placement students will gain insight into the daily internal workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. They will have access to relevant training and development opportunities and will be responsible for achieving specific agreed objectives in a set length of time within one of our various departments. The expected start date for the placement is 29 July 2026 and the placement will run for 3 months, preferably across Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The placement location will be the British Red Cross office in Leeds (LS12 2NB).

We hope to provide our placement students with an insight into the daily internal workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The student will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities during their placement. There also may be ad-hoc opportunities to get involved in other areas of work where appropriate. You will be responsible for achieving specific work objectives, agreed with you, in a set length of time within one of the various departments across the UK. As you are recruited to support or complete particular objectives, you will have a real responsibility and place in the department, bringing some of your skills and experience to the role; you will also have the chance to develop workplace skills.

Typical Tasks

• Providing one to one support to beneficiaries.
• Undertaking sensitive and comprehensive interviews with beneficiaries to assess their needs.
• Supporting the beneficiary to access other services, for example NHS, legal representatives and Social Services.
• Offering onward referral to relevant bodies as appropriate.
• Maintaining effective client records using our data capture system including communicating effectively with Home Office Departments.
• Identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding and protection issues with vulnerable clients, including children and vulnerable adults.
• Working effectively with interpreters.

Through our service in Leeds we provide practical and emotional support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. Helping beneficiaries to access emergency support, get advice, adjust to a new life in Leeds and meet others. We provide short-term emergency provisions: food vouchers, food parcels, toiletries and clothing when available. We provide advice, advocacy and casework including on asylum support and access to healthcare. We can signpost or refer to relevant organisations for further support and we can help to access legal advice, wherever possible.

Qualifications / Attributes

• Understanding of face-to-face client work and/or casework.
• A good communicator and empathetic about the situation and needs of refugees.
• Aware of conflict and migration issues and sensitive to cultural issues, including those relating to gender.
• Personally resilient as you may need to deal with difficult or challenging situations.
• Able to speak good English; knowledge of a foreign language would be useful (particularly one used in the current refugee population).
• Able to use emotional support skills in a calm and responsible manner.
• Willing to adhere to BRC Casework Good Practice Standards.
• Willing to uphold the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and adhere to the Society’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Diversity is something we celebrate. We want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. We want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness. As part of creating an inclusive space we have an expenses policy that prioritises volunteers not being out of pocket for expenses linked to your role. If upfront costs are difficult, you can speak to your volunteering manager about this to find alternatives. We welcome refugees, asylum seekers and others currently in the UK to volunteer with us. We want volunteering to be accessible to everyone.

Health and Safety Statement

We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment and will also have a conversation with you to discuss and identify any adjustments you may need. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications from 15 – 17-year-olds for this role. Please get in touch and we can support you to find another role in your area.

Volunteer role Educational Placement Volunteer

Volunteer manager Volunteer Manager

Where you will be based Hybrid

Why we want you We need educational placement volunteers to help us support people in crisis.

What you will be doing

• Admin tasks
• Supporting your line manager with service-based tasks
• See advert for specific tasks

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Reliable and organised
• See advert description for further skills requirements

What's in it for you

A full induction, with ongoing support and supervision throughout your placement. A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and to gain new ones. Being a volunteer for the British Red Cross means that you can proudly say you are part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, and one of our 13 million volunteers across the world.

Unit 2, Humanity House, Armley Court, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2NB, United Kingdom