At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with individuals for voluntary return programmes and provide non-judgmental support.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on community outreach and support for vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: 22 days annual leave, bank holidays, and options to buy extra leave.
- Other info: Full driving licence needed; travel within England is essential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working flexibly across diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in outreach roles and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Flexible within England – regular travel within a region required. Please specify in your application which counties you are willing and able to travel to. This is a full time contract, initially for 9 months with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent.
Role Overview
This role is responsible for engaging with individuals who may be eligible for voluntary return programmes, providing accessible, accurate, and non‑regulated information to support informed voluntary decision‑making. The role focuses on building trust, facilitating sensitive conversations, and ensuring individuals understand their options in a non-coercive way and without providing judgement or regulated immigration advice. The role will require regular travel, mainly within the region, to work and build relationships with people from multiple cultures and backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct proactive outreach activities to identify and engage with individuals who may be eligible for voluntary return programmes.
- Hold respectful, non‑judgmental, non-coercive and confidential conversations about voluntary return options, ensuring individuals feel heard and supported.
- Provide clear, factual, and impartial information about voluntary return processes, available support, and potential outcomes.
- Ensure all information provided remains within the scope of non‑regulated advice, signposting individuals to qualified immigration advisers where appropriate.
- Support individuals to understand their rights and options, enabling them to make informed, voluntary decisions.
- Refer individuals to authorised immigration advisers or legal representatives for immigration advice.
- Build and maintain relationships with community groups, charities, and partner organisations to support outreach and referrals.
- Maintain accurate and timely case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements.
- Follow safeguarding procedures, identifying and escalating concerns where necessary.
- Attend community events, drop‑ins, and outreach sessions to raise awareness of voluntary return support.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to support.
- Working within and management of strict budgets.
- Any other duties as deemed appropriate.
Some evening or weekend work may be required to support community engagement activities. This role does not provide regulated immigration advice. The postholder must operate within organisational guidelines and refer individuals to authorised advisers for case‑specific immigration advice where required.
Requirements
Essential (these will be used to decide whether to shortlist)
Experience
- Experience working in an outreach, support, or community‑facing role, ideally within immigration, asylum, or refugee sectors.
- Experience working with vulnerable individuals, communicating with empathy and being non-judgemental with an awareness of safeguarding principles.
- Experience building partnerships across diverse communities and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across diverse communities and stakeholders.
- Ability to analyse performance data and produce clear, actionable reports.
Skills
- Sound understanding of ethical engagement when working with vulnerable individuals.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity to the needs of migrants and displaced individuals.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to explain complex information in a clear, sensitive, and accessible way.
- Understanding of the boundaries of non‑regulated advice and the importance of appropriate signposting.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills with the ability to manage caseloads effectively.
- Determined and can take control, find solutions and prioritise actions with a drive for achieving results.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Happy to both challenge and motivate others.
- Knowledge of confidentiality, data protection, and professional boundaries.
- Likes to work at pace.
Personal Attributes
- Empathetic, respectful, and non‑judgmental approach.
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to impartiality.
- Resilient and able to manage emotionally sensitive conversations.
- Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic working environment.
Education
- A‑level or equivalent level qualifications or at least 2 years of relevant experience in a similar role.
Other
- Due to the nature of the role – a full driving licence and use of a vehicle is required.
Experience
- Experience in voluntary return programmes, immigration services, or a related field.
- Experience handling projects and overseeing service delivery within a regulated or commissioned environment.
Skills
- Awareness of voluntary return programmes and associated processes.
- Basic understanding of the UK immigration and asylum context.
Education
- Degree or equivalent experience in social policy, migration studies, community development, public services, or a related field.
Benefits
- 22 days annual leave, increasing with length of service + Bank holidays + the ability to buy up to an extra 5 days a year.
You must be eligible to work in the UK and able to pass a security check, including an enhanced level DBS.
Outreach Caseworker employer: IRARA
As an Outreach Caseworker, you will join a compassionate and dynamic team dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals across England. Our organisation fosters a culture of empathy and respect, offering extensive training and development opportunities to enhance your skills in community engagement and support. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance, we ensure that our employees feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Caseworker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at IRARA.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from IRARA!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like IRARA, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at IRARA or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to IRARA:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to IRARA! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IRARA
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
