Routes Home immigration Advisor

Job Title: Immigration Advisor (OISC-level 2)

Responsible to: Praxis – Advice Manager

Location: London Multiple Locations (main office Bethnal Green)

Hours: 30 hours with possibility of extending to 35

Status: 12 months with possibility of extension

Grade: pro rata FTE 35 hours - SCP Scale Pt 31

£31,764 (£27,226 pro rata for 30 hours) inclusive of London Weighting

Date: Monday 3rd December 2018 (midday)

Interviews: Friday 7th December

If you are interested in this post please complete the attached application form and use the personal statement space to tell us how you meet the person specification requirements

Job descriptionPurpose of the job

To provide immigration advice and casework to asylum seekers and migrants who are rough sleeping in London, including initial asylum applications, fresh claims and leave to remain applications.

To apply for replacement papers for rough sleeping individuals unable to access housing entitlements because of their lack of immigration status proof.

To assist migrants to access specialist accommodation such as asylum support or social services support under the Care Act

To advise on access to other services such as healthcare or private rented accommodation

To work closely with the project team and management to contribute towards the aims of the project and Praxis objectives

To develop the project’s legal training resources and its links with immigration advisers and law centres.

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Main Responsibilities

To manage a caseload of clients referred by St Mungo’s staff.

To interview clients to establish their immigration history and status.

To provide immigration/asylum advice and casework to clients in relation to their status.

To obtain the legal documents relevant to the client’s case from previous solicitors and the Home Office.

To make applications for asylum or leave to remain as appropriate and to refer the client to new legal representatives and/or sign post them to other services or agencies as appropriate.

To make applications for renewal of documents where clients have Leave to Remain but are unable to prove it.

To actively develop professional relationships and referral links with law centres and solicitors’ firms, and other organisations assisting migrants.

To assist clients to access specialist accommodation when appropriate.

To advise on access to services.

Record and input key data to support project monitoring and evaluation and wider agency initiatives or needs (e.g. for campaigning, financial monitoring, research, policy and advocacy purposes) and write client case studies and reports.

To work collaboratively with central teams including IT, Communications and Fundraising and Finance, to develop and refine policies and procedures for the project.

Carry out administrative tasks (e.g. word-processing, recording information onto database, filing etc.) in support of own work and the team as necessary

Positively engage and contribute to project reviews and evaluations, and to client follow up activities relevant to the service.

To work remotely in cooperation with the project’s partners and other staff members for the development of the project, particularly providing the immigration perspective to new developments.

To develop resources and on occasion work with St Mungo’s Project Manager to deliver training to frontline workers on correctly identifying and recording immigration status.

Represent Praxis at external meetings as required

Participate fully in individual supervision, training and appraisal.

Participate fully in regular team meetings, and other Praxis staff meetings, planning and review sessions, conferences and working groups as required

Assist in promoting and publicising the work of Praxis through work including: identifying case studies, and promotional events.

Take on other duties consistent with the nature of the post and that may arise as the service develops and reviews its services, as required.

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Person Specification

Please use your application form to demonstrate your capabilities in relation to each of the points. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competences have helped you to achieve positive results. This will give you the best possible chance to be shortlisted.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Accreditation at OISC Level 2 (Asylum & Immigration) or LSC Level 1

Experience, skills, understanding and knowledge

At least one year experience of providing advice and knowledge of asylum and immigration legislation and case law.

Excellent written communication skills and research skills

Experience of exploring sensitive and personal information and contentious issues during interviews with clients in a calm and appropriate manner.

Ability to work constructively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with other legal professionals, law centres and the voluntary sector.

Insight into the needs, experiences and hopes of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

Experience of working and communicating effectively with people from a range of different cultures and backgrounds.

In addition to the above candidates will be interviewed on the following if they are short-listed. Candidates need not write about these points in the application form.

Good understanding of general immigration issues affecting asylum seekers and migrants and of the key statutory bodies in the UK involved in the asylum determination process

Excellent online research and analytical skills in order to research case law and country of origin information.

Ability to analyse complex written information and communicate it effectively

Ability to train, support and supervise volunteer team members and work in partnership with interpreters.

A flexible and creative approach to developing legal advice provision for hard to reach groups.

Ability to plan and manage your own workload

Knowledge of the legal aid framework for onward referrals and project development purposes

Ability to work across teams, often in different locations to your colleagues, and uphold the values and aims of Praxis Community Projects in every aspect of your work.

Understanding of and commitment to the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, non-directive advice, and equality of opportunity

Ability to use MS-Office and Databases.

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