Welfare Advisor

As life becomes ever more difficult for migrants across London, the UK and the world, Waltham Forest Migrant Action (WFMA) are committed to fighting back in solidarity and supporting our fellow human beings who are often suffering in the most extreme of circumstances.

WFMA is the only provider of free immigration advice in the borough. Our mission is to provide support for local migrants and refugees, and to advocate and campaign for the rights of migrants and refugees in the UK. Since 2013, our weekly drop-in centre has offered visitors a warm welcome, free advice on immigration, accommodation and welfare issues, and opportunities to socialise with the local community. Last year we helped 366 people from 71 nationalities, and our numbers continue to grow. 

THE ROLE 
WFMA is looking for a compassionate Welfare Advisor with a strong interest in migrant justice to support our visitors with Welfare and Housing issues, and make a tangible difference to the lives of migrants and refugees in Waltham Forest. This is a new post at an exciting time for the charity as we seek to expand our services at the drop-in centre and provide more immigration advice and casework in-house. 

1. Supporting drop-in centre visitors with welfare and housing issues 

• Determine eligibility and advise on all Public Benefits and how to apply for them, and in some cases help them to apply
• Advise on Housing issues, solutions and consequences, and when appropriate help the visitor find and brief a housing solicitor
• Advise on and help visitors access healthcare services
• Guide, inform and support volunteers to assist visitors
• Maintain records of advice and actions taken using our case recordkeeping software, scanning and securely storing documents shared with us

2. Maintain current knowledge and understanding of public benefits and housing systems

• Keep abreast of new developments in the public welfare and housing systems
• Liaise with other agencies and organisations as and when appropriate
• Attend training courses as and when needed, and proactively seek opportunities to develop professionally

3. Work collaboratively with WFMA staff, volunteers and professional advisors

• Understand and implement WFMA policies and procedures
• Participate actively in staff and board of trustees meetings, and other meetings as may reasonably be required
• Work with the Support Centre Manager to report to the Board at bi-monthly meetings as required

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Essential

• Experience providing well-being support to adults in a community or other setting
• Working knowledge and understanding of local health and social care services
• A strong interest in migrant justice and issues relating to migration
• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• Good IT skills particularly experience using record management software

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding practices particularly in a social care or day centre environment
• Lived experience of the issues faced by migrants and the difficulties they experience in accessing services
• Understanding of GDPR and confidentiality, and experience of processing sensitive data
• Additional languages

Safeguarding
The post holder will adhere to the WFMA’s safeguarding policy. This post is also subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

You can view the job description and person specification by clicking on the below link, or on our website if you don't yet have a Charity Job account.

HOW TO APPLY
We particularly welcome applicants with lived experience of migration or borders or the UK immigration system.

To apply for the role, please click 'Apply via Website' at the top of the page to go to our application form and submit your CV and cover letter by 12pm, Friday 24th January. Interviews will take place in-person on Thursday 30th January.

Please find our contact email is at the end of the person specification in case of any questions, or for a conversation about the role.