Outreach Caseworker in London

The purpose of this role is to provide 1-1 support to an outreach caseload: ensuring survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation understand their rights and that these are met, coaching survivors to identify their personal goals, supporting survivors to access the appropriate services/treatment providers and ultimately supporting them into independence.

We are looking for a passionate individual who has experience of working with women who have experienced trafficking, exploitation, and/or modern slavery, who is aligned with the vision and mission of Ella’s and who can develop strong partnerships with other community organisations and groups, both locally within London boroughs and London wide.

• You will be asked to provide an enhanced DBS check.
• Due to the nature of this work, this role is for women only.
• The postholder is expected to take part in the out of hours on-call service.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly, and at other Ella’s locations.

Casework provision

• Provide high-quality casework support to service users on the outreach caseload (including children and families in some cases).
• Support survivor empowerment to speak out and self-advocate.
• Carry out regular risk assessment with survivors and respond to any safeguarding concerns as per Ella’s safeguarding procedures.
• Create tailored support plans in collaboration with service users.
• Provide day-to-day support and build trusting relationships with the service users.
• Be sensitive to the rapidly changing emotional and physical needs of the service users and respond accordingly.
• Manage all paperwork, processing any personal data in accordance with Ella’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure casenote records are recorded within 24 hours of each service user contact using Ella’s case management system.
• Assist service users with administrative tasks as required: reaching out to supporting agencies, booking appointments, form-filling, and attending appointments.
• Assume an advocacy role during external appointments, if required.
• Assist in writing covering letters and support letters to compliment service users’ application forms, advocate for the service user in specific needs, or to keep other organisations updated as required.
• Research the requirements for benefit applications and assisting service users to complete (as required). E.g. S95 asylum subsistence claims, HC2 certificate applications, and state benefits claims.
• Assist with maintaining frequent communication with the Home Office, law enforcement and solicitors to progress survivor legal cases.
• Liaise effectively with other agencies involved in the care or support of service users to ensure their needs are sufficiently met.

Safeguarding & health and safety

• Ensure all major incidents, accidents, safeguarding concerns or potential hazards are managed, reported and recorded following Ella’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain a safe and secure working environment, ensuring all safety and security procedures are followed to keep self and others safe.
• Participate in the identification and assessment of risks and implement agreed working procedures to minimise their impact; writing risk assessments as required.
• Promote awareness of health and safety amongst service users, including those who use emergency/on call systems, fire prevention and control systems as necessary.
• Ensure the location confidentiality of Ella’s premises to protect survivors and safeguard staff and volunteers.
• Participate in any relevant safeguarding training and keep up to date with any changes to Ella’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

Other/general duties

• Develop strategic partnerships with local agencies working within the VAWG sector and other local organisations or businesses that could enrich the work of Ella’s.
• Take part in the out of hours on-call service.
• Attend any training required for the role, keeping up to date with any developments and changes within the sector.
• Represent the work at Ella’s with integrity at all times.
• Adhere to all of Ella's policies and procedures at all times.
• Be an active member of the organisation, attending any team meetings that are required and contribute to Ella's strategic goals and input into its direction of growth.
• Attend monthly supervision with the Service Manager and keep in regular contact.
• Handle emergency situations calmly and professionally.
• Complete any other duties as directed by the Service Manager which are within the scope of the role.
• Attend bi-weekly team meetings.

Benefits

• Part of a small and committed team, a dynamic organisation changing women’s lives, supporting and empowering them to build their futures.
• Access to a professional supervisor.
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Mental health days.
• Regular social wellbeing initiatives.
• Health benefits programme for all staff.

To apply for this role, please submit the following to CharityJob: Up-to-date CV, Application questions, CharityJob monitoring and evaluation form. The information on this form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application. This form is submitted online and does not need to be emailed with your application documents. Candidates will be invited to interview by email - please check your spam folder. If you have queries about any aspect of this role or the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then please send us a message. Please also note that an appointment to this role will be subject to a DBS check.

More about Ella’s

Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. Here is a summary of our main activities: We run seven safe houses. This supported accommodation is crucial for survivors, until they are ready and able to live independently. We provide regular support for women and families in neighbourhoods across London, and many more further afield when they need us. We speak out on issues affecting the women we work with. We care deeply about survivors of trafficking and exploitation and want to see a world where these crimes are not tolerated. Ella’s is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, as we believe having a diverse team adds value and positively impacts our service. We actively encourage applicants from BAME backgrounds, LGBTQ applicants and those with disabilities. We are committed to equality and diversity within our organisation.