JOB TITLE:  Immigration, Asylum & Protection Caseworker (Asylum Aid)

LOCATION:  Asylum Aid Office (London)

RESPONSIBLE TO:  Immigration Supervisor

CONTRACT:  Permanent, full time (37.5 hours)

SALARY:  £34,000 p.a.

BENEFITS:  27 days holiday plus 4% matched pension contribution

START DATE:  April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter

ABOUT ASYLUM AID

For over thirty years, Asylum Aid has been providing legal representation to some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum. We have built an expert service, delivering vital and life-saving services in some of the most complex legal cases, with a particular speciality working with unaccompanied children, survivors of trafficking, torture or other forms of human cruelty, and stateless people. Our vision is that all those in need of protection from persecution and other forms of human cruelty in the UK can obtain it, and are treated fairly and with dignity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As an Immigration, Asylum and Protection Caseworker at Asylum Aid you will have conduct of a caseload of asylum and protection matters, including asylum claims, family reunion applications and statelessness applications. We also have a small caseload of immigration matters relating to vulnerable individuals so experience in wider immigration matters would also be of benefit to the role.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to the wider work of the Asylum Aid team, delivering high quality legal services on the full range of protection and trafficking issues that affect migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. You will conduct asylum casework under legal aid funding, and contribute to policy and strategic legal work to promote the rights of people in the asylum system.

You will be a qualified solicitor (England & Wales) or Immigration caseworker. You will have current IAAS Level 2/Senior Caseworker accreditation and have experience in publicly funded immigration work under a Legal Aid Agency Contract. You should have, or be able to obtain, Level 2 Children Safeguarding.

As is the nature of this sector, the role will be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst you will be supported by the Asylum Aid Director, supervisors and the surrounding team, you should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment.

Equal Opportunities

The Foundation and Asylum Aid is an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates as we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in at every level within the organisation.  We particularly welcome applications from those with BAME backgrounds and with lived experience of the UK immigration system.

Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Senior Caseworker (Level 2) accreditation under the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS);
• Either a qualified solicitor or barrister, or registered with the OISC at Level 3 (Asylum & Protection), or able to become registered on joining Asylum Aid
• At least 2 years’ experience of providing immigration, asylum and trafficking legal advice to people seeking protection in the UK under the immigration legal aid contract;
• Excellent working knowledge of UK immigration and asylum law and policy;
• Good understanding of LAA contract provisions, particularly in relation to controlled work in the immigration and asylum category, and exceptional case funding;
• Good awareness of the welfare and support entitlements of asylum seekers in the UK;
• An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support.
• The ability to manage a high number of cases at any given time while maintaining a high level of client care;
• The ability to work autonomously, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines;
• The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in English with people from a wide range of backgrounds;
• Experience of working with a Case Management System;
• Track record of achieving billing targets.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• If not a qualified solicitor or barrister, registration with the OISC at Level 2 or above in immigration would be an advantage
• Experience in handling appeals in the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal;
• Level 2 Child Safeguarding certificate
• Experience and understanding of representing victims of trafficking in the NRM;
• Experience of monitoring case outcomes and contributing to monitoring reports, research and policy submissions.

We value lived experience of the UK immigration and asylum system and actively encourage applications from those with such experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Casework

• Conduct triage of referrals received from our partner organisations, assessing their eligibility for legal aid and suitability for our service;
• Provide legal advice and representation to clients on asylum and immigration matters, including trafficking and statelessness matters.
• Demonstrate excellent standards of client care, taking account of the particular needs of children and young people and other vulnerable people.
• Ensure that referrals are made to attempt to find additional, non-legal support for clients, where this is deemed appropriate and clients are open to such support.
• Where appropriate, apply for LAA Case Funding and ensure that all requirements of the Legal Aid Agency contract with regard to the conduct of publicly funded work are complied with;
• Ensure that legal aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved;
• Deal with referrals and other initial advice enquiries;
• Maintain client files and records in line with file management procedures;
• Participate in file reviews with other casework staff as required.
• Instruct counsel on cases as appropriate.
• Liaise with and refer clients to other legal representatives as appropriate.                                                                                

Other duties:

• Keep abreast of relevant developments in asylum/immigration law and practice;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Asylum Aid’s strategy;
• Comply with professional standards and accreditation.
• Ensure that any reporting and monitoring requirements are met in full;
• Use the evidence base generated to help identify strategic challenges that can feed into wider policy, research and campaigning work.
• Assist, inspire and support colleagues in carrying out their duties;
• Attend and actively participate in internal and external meetings, events, and training sessions as appropriate;
• Play a full part in the development of Asylum Aid generally;
• Adhere in full to all Asylum Aid’s policies and procedures;
• Respect for client confidentiality at all times in line with Asylum Aid’s confidentiality agreements and consent forms;
• Undertake any other related activities as required, including working outside office hours when required (for which reasonable Time Off in Lieu may be given) and travelling as necessary for the post.

Please note that the successful candidate will be offered the job subject to suitable references and an enhanced DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK.

If appointed you will be required to give your consent to Asylum Aid to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment.

Please submit an up to date CV and a covering letter by 9am on Monday 14th March 2024 by outlining your relevant skills and experience, as well as how your previous experience that matches the listed responsibilities and person specification to jobs@helenbamber.org. Please state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role. In setting the salary regard has been had to average sector pay and the NCJ payscales.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at our offices in central London after the closing date. For any queries, please email Adam Milton, Immigration Supervisor, at adam.milton@asylumaid.org.uk

No agencies.

Please note we can only respond to candidates who are shortlisted for interview.