Esol jobs

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Children & Young People area at IRMO and be part of the Family Project. The Family Project supports Spanish and Portuguese-speaking children and young people who have recently arrived in the UK and need to enter compulsory education as soon as possible.

The Family Support Worker will offer targeted advice and support in Spanish/Portuguese to families and young people facing barriers in accessing education and other statutory services such as SEND support and Early Help.

The role involves setting up advice and casework schedules, liaising with local authorities, school admissions departments, EAL/SEN teams, and specialised organisations to ensure children are not out of education and receive the right support.

The Family Support Worker will also deliver targeted workshops for families, liaise with external speakers, and create accessible resources (digital and paper-based).

They will work closely with the Youth Project Coordinator, ESOL Teacher and Community Support Team to share information, identify needs, and connect children and families with opportunities.

This multifaceted role requires empathy, flexibility, and a sound understanding of the UK education system and legislation affecting migrants and asylum seekers.

Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese is essential and a knowledge of both is desirable, as the Family Support Worker will regularly need to communicate with members of the community who have either as a first language. 

Key duties & responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Plan and deliver advice sessions and casework on school admissions and other services (SEND, free school meals, NRPF, etc.).

• Conduct needs assessments and connect children and young people to relevant internal and external services.

• Plan and deliver quarterly workshops for families on education and SEND topics (e.g. transitions, EHCPs, autism).

• Build and maintain networks with statutory and VCS stakeholders, schools, legal organisations, parents’ groups, councillors, and Heads of Service.

• Conduct regular outreach in the community to encourage children and families to participate in workshops, campaigns, and community activities.

• Create accessible resources for internal and external use.

• Run weekly school admission drop-in sessions with newly arrived parents 

• Liaise with local councils to ensure school placements are guaranteed. 

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

• Collect and review monitoring data (registration forms, case notes, feedback forms, surveys).

• Maintain accurate case notes and manage caseloads using Excel and CRM systems.

• Produce case studies, success stories, for reports for funders and stakeholders.

Safeguarding

• Ensure the wellbeing and safeguarding of young people, following IRMO’s Safeguarding Policy and NYA guidelines.

• Attend regular safeguarding training relevant to the role.

Communication

• Support in the creation of accessible promotional materials aligned with IRMO’s communication strategy.

• Manage service users’ expectations through clear and consistent communication.

• Attend team meetings and share updates across IRMO teams.

• Represent IRMO at external forums, with partners and funders.

Other

• Train and supervise volunteers.

• Signpost and refer service users to internal and external support.

• Undertake other duties consistent with the purpose of the post as directed by the Line Manager.

Person specification

E = Essential - D = Desirable

Qualifications, Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum one years’ experience in advice and casework in the UK (Essential) 

• Experience with M&E tools and impact reporting (Essential).

• Experience liaising with schools, local authorities, VCS organisations, and statutory services (Essential).

• Knowledge of UK Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures (Essential).

• Knowledge of the UK education system, including admissions and SEND (Essential).

• Knowledge of the UK not-for-profit sector (Desirable).

• Knowledge of the legislation affecting migrants and asylum seekers in accessing education. (Essential)

• Understanding of issues affecting young Latin American migrants in the UK (Essential).

• Knowledge and awareness of SEND and experience delivering activities within educational or community learning settings or a willingness to develop in this specific area (desirable).

• Qualification in Information, Advice & Guidance (Desirable).

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail (Essential).

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish or Portuguese (Essential). 

• Ability to manage workload, meet deadlines, and work independently (Essential).

• Problem-solving, innovation, and system improvement skills (Essential).

• Empathy and respect when dealing with children, young people, and families (Essential).

• Competence in Google Workspace tools and Excel (Essential); Experience using CRM tools (Desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Professional and positive attitudes

• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently.

• Collaborative team player, open to learning from colleagues.

• Accountable and dependable, with strong follow-through on casework.

• Creative and resourceful, empowering service users to overcome barriers.

• Committed to continuous learning and adapting to systemic challenges.

• Aligned with and committed to IRMO’s mission, vision, and values.

• Non-judgemental, non-discriminatory, and supportive approach.

Job Description

About the Role

The Refugee and Migrant Centre is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker to join our Resettlement Department. As part of our mission to assist refugees and migrants in overcoming barriers to integration, this role will play a key part in helping newly arrived refugees settle into their new communities with confidence and independence.

RMC is a well-established charity with over 25 years of experience working with vulnerable refugees and migrants. We provide a range of services, including immigration advice, housing support, welfare assistance, and employment guidance. Our work ensures that refugees and migrants receive the necessary support to become equal citizens in the UK.

Purpose of the Role

The Family Support Worker will support newly arrived refugees and their families, enabling them to navigate the complex challenges of settling into the UK. Working closely with our multi-skilled resettlement team, you will deliver holistic support to refugees across a range of services, including welfare benefits, housing, health, education, and employment. You will also play a key role in empowering families to build their confidence, independence, and long-term integration into the community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Client Support & Case Management:

• Manage a caseload of newly arrived refugee families, providing tailored support to meet their specific needs.
• Conduct home visits and orientation sessions to welcome clients to their new community and complete holistic needs assessments.
• Develop Personal Integration Plans for each household on a quarterly basis, helping them set goals for long-term independence.
• Coordinate support with external agencies and specialists to address clients’ needs, ensuring seamless service delivery.
• Support families with housing, welfare benefits, education, healthcare, and employment.
• Assist with registration for healthcare services (GPs, dentists, opticians) and support with medical assessments.
• Facilitate access to education for children and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adults.
• Provide guidance on immigration matters and ensure the correct paperwork is in place, including registering for Biometric Residence Cards and supporting welfare benefit applications.
• Ensure clients are financially supported by applying for relevant welfare benefits and assisting with mandatory reconsiderations as required.

Integration & Independence:

• Help clients develop the skills and knowledge to achieve independence, focusing on self-sufficiency and integration into the local community.
• Support families in securing suitable accommodation, liaising with landlords, housing providers, and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing orientation on UK systems, including financial rights and responsibilities, social services, and community resources.
• Encourage social integration by organising outings and community events to foster connections with local services and other refugees.

Partnership Working & Community Engagement:

• Work closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that refugees have access to the services and support they need.
• Act as the lead contact for other agencies involved in supporting your clients, ensuring a collaborative approach to case management.
• Promote the long-term integration of refugees by identifying and facilitating opportunities for engagement with mainstream services.

Administrative & Reporting Duties:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions and case progress, ensuring compliance with organisational policies.
• Provide written reports and case updates as required by the Resettlement Coordinator and Manager.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of services based on monitoring and evaluation feedback.

General Responsibilities:

• Uphold RMC’s values, principles, and policies, including those related to equal opportunity, confidentiality, and impartiality.
• Attend team meetings, training sessions, and contribute to service development initiatives.
• Provide feedback and suggestions for service improvements to ensure the best outcomes for refugees and migrants.
• Carry out other duties consistent with the nature of the role and in support of the Resettlement Department’s objectives.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience working with vulnerable individuals, particularly refugees or migrants.
• Strong understanding of the challenge’s refugees faces during resettlement and integration.
• Proven ability to manage a caseload and create detailed support plans.
• Experience in working with external agencies and coordinating services for clients.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage effectively with refugees, stakeholders, and service providers.
• Ability to manage sensitive and complex cases with a person-centred approach.
• Knowledge of UK welfare benefits, housing rights, and immigration services.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use IT systems to document casework.
• Cultural competence and a commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
• Ability to work flexibly and independently, including delivering outreach services.
• Fluent in Farsi/Pashto and English.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team, supporting volunteers to achieve client outcomes.
• Knowledge of community languages (particularly relevant to refugee populations) would be advantageous.
• Experience in delivering outreach support to families in their homes and community settings.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car.

Flexibility

To achieve the objectives of this role, a degree of flexibility is essential. The post holder may be required to undertake duties not specifically listed above, provided they fall within the scope of the role and are appropriate to the pay grade. Accordingly, this job description will be reviewed periodically in consultation with the post holder to ensure it continues to reflect the responsibilities and duties of the position accurately.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their commitment to achieving positive outcomes. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Closing date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025, by 5:00 pm.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

Please note that if you require employer sponsorship to extend your right to work in the UK, the Refugee and Migrant Centre is not able to support visa sponsorship.