Advice and Support Caseworker

Welsh Refugee Council; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days leave pro rata

2 days volunteering leave

3 days carers leave

5 days study leave

5% pension

Counselling support

Healthcare cash back

Job summary

Welsh Refugee Council in Wales is seeking a Widening of Dispersal & Voluntary Returns Caseworker for a fixed-term role in Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire. The post is 35 hours per week, funded until 31 March 2027, with the possibility of extension.

You will provide in-person and remote support to Sanctuary Seekers and Refugees, advise on dispersal and voluntary return options, complete forms, liaise with local authorities, and help ensure safeguarding and wellbeing through trauma‑informed

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.
• Knowledge of good practices in communications to increase engagement.
• Aptitude to provide effective advice and support to clients.
• Ability to identify vulnerabilities early and during engagement.
• Understanding of NRPF challenges and impacts on wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-person and remote support to Sanctuary Seekers and Refugees.
• Advise on dispersal and voluntary return options and assist with forms.
• Liaise with Wales Sanctuary Service, Move On and other colleagues to meet client needs.
• Maintain accurate records on client interactions and outcomes.
• Undertake safeguarding and safeguarding-related duties as required.
• Participate in staff meetings, training and development.

Skills

Under pressure

Verbal & written

Relationship building

Communications skills

Advice & support

Vulnerability awareness

NRPF knowledge

Job description

Job title: Widening of Dispersal & Voluntary Returns Caseworker

Report to: Ukraine and Widening of Dispersal Manager

Duration: Fixed term until the 31 March 2027 (with the possibility of extension)

Hours: 1 FT Role - 35 hours per week

Location: Wrexham, Flintshire, and Denbighshire.

Annual benefits pro rata

• 27 days leave, increasing by 1 day per annum to a maximum of 30 days
• Up to 2 days paid volunteering leave
• Up to 3 days paid carers leave
• Up to 5 days paid study leave relating to role
• Access to company paid counselling support.
• Staff cash back plan for healthcare

We are the Welsh Refugee Council

You will be joining us at an exciting time in our journey, helping us and the sector to support those who are forced to seek safety.With over 36 years’ experience, we are trusted by the communities we serve and are seen as the lead organisation in Wales for sanctuary seekers and refugees.

As a key partner in delivering Wales' vision as a Nation of Sanctuary, we are committed to ensuring that people seeking sanctuary are treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We work to uphold human rights, promote inclusion, and ensure individuals are empowered to make informed decisions about their future."

Purpose of the post

With Welsh Government funding, a consortium of organisations led by the Welsh Refugee Council are working together to deliver the Wales Sanctuary Service and the Move on project which improve access to support services and advice for Sanctuary Seekers and Refugees across Wales. This role delivers in person and remote assistance to clients across Local Authorities in Wales, in partnership with local resettlement teams and other stakeholders.

This role is also part-funded by the Home Office and dovetails into our wider asylum and refugee services.

The role supports individuals to explore the full range of options available to them following a decision.

The Voluntary Returns portion of the role, aims to avoid destitution following a negative decision, once they become Appeal Rights Exhausted and there is no possibility to pursue a Fresh Claim. This part of the role is designed to help those with No Recourse to Public Funds to make informed decisions based on their personal circumstances, aspirations, and rights. Through person-centred, trauma-informed advice and support, the postholder will help ensure that clients have:

• Increased awareness of the Asylum Protection process, Asylum Support, and increased access to local and specialist support services.
• Increased awareness of the Move On process and access to mainstream services following a positive decision.
• Increased awareness of the voluntary return pathways that may be available to them.
• Increased access to trusted, informed, and non-judgemental conversations about voluntary return.

Any conversations about return will be led by the individual and grounded in principles of dignity, autonomy, understanding, and informed choice. The purpose of the VRS Project is not to encourage or promote return, but to ensure that individuals have access to accurate information and trusted support so they can make decisions that are right for them.

Any decision to pursue a return pathway must be entirely voluntary. The role will support informed decision-making free from pressure, coercion, or undue influence, recognising each person's agency, rights, and unique circumstances.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, and able to adapt priorities.
• Have excellent verbal and written skills- able to engage and ensure key points are communicated for maximum affect.
• Be able to build and maintain relationships with clients.
• Have knowledge of good practices with communications to increase engagement.
• Have the aptitude to provide effective advice and support to Welsh Refugee Council’s clients, in particular asylum-seeking women, vulnerable adults and, as appropriate, to refer them for additional support.
• Be able to identify at early and latter stages of engagement any vulnerabilities that would impact on clients
• Have a good understanding of the challenges clients with NRPF face and how these impacts on their mental health and behaviour.

Job title: Widening of Dispersal & Voluntary Returns Caseworker

Report to: Ukraine and Widening of Dispersal Manager

Salary: £24,985 FTE

Duration: Fixed term until the 31 March 2027 (with the possibility of extension)

Hours: 1 FT Role - 35 hours per week

Location: Wrexham, Flintshire, and Denbighshire.

Annual benefits pro rata

• 27 days leave, increasing by 1 day per annum to a maximum of 30 days
• Up to 2 days paid volunteering leave
• Up to 3 days paid carers leave
• Up to 5 days paid study leave relating to role
• 5% pension
• Access to company paid counselling support.
• Staff cash back plan for healthcare

We are the Welsh Refugee Council

You will be joining us at an exciting time in our journey, helping us and the sector to support those who are forced to seek safety.With over 36 years’ experience, we are trusted by the communities we serve and are seen as the lead organisation in Wales for sanctuary seekers and refugees.

As a key partner in delivering Wales' vision as a Nation of Sanctuary, we are committed to ensuring that people seeking sanctuary are treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We work to uphold human rights, promote inclusion, and ensure individuals are empowered to make informed decisions about their future."

Purpose of the post

With Welsh Government funding, a consortium of organisations led by the Welsh Refugee Council are working together to deliver the Wales Sanctuary Service and the Move on project which improve access to support services and advice for Sanctuary Seekers and Refugees across Wales. This role delivers in person and remote assistance to clients across Local Authorities in Wales, in partnership with local resettlement teams and other stakeholders.

This role is also part-funded by the Home Office and dovetails into our wider asylum and refugee services.

The role supports individuals to explore the full range of options available to them following a decision.

The Voluntary Returns portion of the role, aims to avoid destitution following a negative decision, once they become Appeal Rights Exhausted and there is no possibility to pursue a Fresh Claim. This part of the role is designed to help those with No Recourse to Public Funds to make informed decisions based on their personal circumstances, aspirations, and rights. Through person-centred, trauma-informed advice and support, the postholder will help ensure that clients have:

• Increased awareness of the Asylum Protection process, Asylum Support, and increased access to local and specialist support services.
• Increased awareness of the Move On process and access to mainstream services following a positive decision.
• Increased awareness of the voluntary return pathways that may be available to them.
• Increased access to trusted, informed, and non-judgemental conversations about voluntary return.

Any conversations about return will be led by the individual and grounded in principles of dignity, autonomy, understanding, and informed choice. The purpose of the VRS Project is not to encourage or promote return, but to ensure that individuals have access to accurate information and trusted support so they can make decisions that are right for them.

Any decision to pursue a return pathway must be entirely voluntary. The role will support informed decision-making free from pressure, coercion, or undue influence, recognising each person's agency, rights, and unique circumstances.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, and able to adapt priorities.
• Have excellent verbal and written skills- able to engage and ensure key points are communicated for maximum affect.
• Be able to build and maintain relationships with clients.
• Have knowledge of good practices with communications to increase engagement.
• Have the aptitude to provide effective advice and support to Welsh Refugee Council’s clients, in particular asylum-seeking women, vulnerable adults and, as appropriate, to refer them for additional support.
• Be able to identify at early and latter stages of engagement any vulnerabilities that would impact on clients
• Have a good understanding of the challenges clients with NRPF face and how these impacts on their mental health and behaviour.

Major duties and responsibilities

Advice and support:

• To provide in-person and remote, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed support, recognising the impact of displacement, uncertainty and previous experiences on wellbeing and decision-making.
• To ensure that, at all times, clients are aware of what options are available to them and that they are empowered to pursue their chosen options and provided, during their asylum journey, with access to the support available. To ensure clients are aware of their options post-decision and guide them towards appropriate support following both positive and negative decisions. To provide access to destitution support for NRPF clients, and where it might mitigate harm, provide them with the necessary assistance to submit a VRS application.
• To provide advice and assistance with completion of forms and sign posting to Local Authorities and other local organisations where necessary.
• To work in partnership with Wales Sanctuary Service, Move On and Single Advice Service colleagues to provide a holistic approach to meet clients’ needs around housing, financial support and wellbeing.
• To undertake administrative tasks in relation to the above ensuring the capture of all client information and statistics.
• To facilitate interpretation as necessary (either directly or by arranging interpretation through others who are competent, registered with WRC and able to meet agreed standards).

Working with Stakeholders:

• To negotiate with agencies, government departments, local authorities, immigration services, solicitors, and other bodies to secure clients’ entitlements and/or access to services.
• To advocate and make representations to mainstream service providers on behalf of clients.

Governance and reporting:

• To record all activities on our client database in a timely manner.
• To produce qualitative and quantitative reports as requested.
• To attend staff and other meetings and briefings as required.
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the principles of WRC confidentiality policy
• To actively seek and amplify the voices of people with lived experience, ensuring their feedback and perspectives inform service design, evaluation and continuous improvement

Safeguarding:

• To raise any safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Lead/Officers by following the safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with other caseworkers, community organisations, local authorities and stakeholders to ensure clients can access wider support that promotes wellbeing, social inclusion and dignity.

Development:

• To keep up to date with legislation and policy relevant to the post to ensure effectiveness and competence in delivering a high-quality service.
• To participate in staff meetings, training and development, supervisions and appraisal

General:

• To carry out all duties in accordance with the principles of the WRC’s Confidentiality Policy and within agreed norms of impartiality and boundaries
• To carry out the job in accordance with the aims, core values and appropriate procedures of WRC
• To abide by and to work to WRC’s Equal Opportunities Policy always.

Flexibility:

• In order to meet the requirements of the grant application and grant agreement a level of flexibility is required and may require you to take on other duties in line with your job title that are not listed above.

Application deadline: 2 October 2026, 9:00.Applications received after this date, will not be accepted.

Invites for interviews will be sent by email. Interviews will likely be held on 14 October 2026 - online via Microsoft Teams.