Cultural Specialist Immigration Advisor (IDVA)

Changing Pathways; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated support organization is seeking a full-time professional to provide immigration advice and support for individuals from Global Majority groups experiencing domestic abuse. This role involves risk assessments, advocating for survivors, and promoting awareness within communities. The position is mainly remote with some office attendance required.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Equipment provided for remote work

Tailored training and development

Responsibilities

• Provide OISC Level 1 advice for immigration applications.
• Identify and report safeguarding issues for adults at risk and children.
• Assess children’s needs as victims in line with the Domestic Abuse Act.
• Support individuals from Global Majority groups who have experienced domestic abuse.
• Risk assess referrals using the Save Lives DASH tool.
• Provide agile safety planning recognizing the dynamics of domestic abuse.
• Formulate holistic support plans and advocate for clients.
• Deliver training to professionals and raise awareness of domestic abuse.
• Manage a case load ensuring responsive services to survivors.
• Support high risk survivors at court hearings.
• Deliver safeguarding measures for service users and children.

Job description

Job Details

• This is a full time position. On a permanent term contact.
• Salary – £30,000 per annum paid monthly
• Reports to – Senior IDVA and Operations Manager
• Hours 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
• Location Watergardens, Harlow – mainly remote with a requirement to attend the office once per month.
• Leave 25 days per year plus bank holidays.
• Benefits Include Contributory Pension Scheme. Equipment to undertake your role (hybrid). Training and developed tailored to your level of experience.
• Expenses You will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses which are incurred by you in the proper performance of your duties.

Responsibilities

1. Provide OISC Level 1 advice for immigration applications that fall within the published Immigration Rules, such as applications for visitors, spouses, fiancés, and some Points-Based System and EUSS applications.
2. Identify any safeguarding issues within the services for adults at risk and/or children and follow organisational safeguarding procedures to ensure the swift reporting of concerns to social services and taking any internal actions necessary.
3. In line with the new Domestic Abuse Act, assess children’s needs as victims in their own right, making referrals to Children’s Services for specialist interventions where necessary.
4. Provide services to support individuals from Global Majority groups who have experienced domestic abuse including ‘so called’ honourbased violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation and/or insecure immigration status.
5. Risk assess new referrals for the service using the Save Lives DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-Based Violence) tool and make referrals for high risk individuals as per the local MARAC arrangements.
6. Provide agile safety planning for each referral which recognises the dynamic nature of risk within domestic abuse situations.
7. Formulate client-led, holistic support plans and advocate for clients in a range of areas including housing, health, social services, legal and civil orders and children.
8. Advocate for the specialist cultural needs of Global Majority women and children referred to refuge within the partnership portfolio.
9. Deliver awareness raising of domestic abuse within local Global Majority community groups and support services.
10. Deliver training to statutory and voluntary sector professionals.
11. Identify Global Majority groups and relevant contacts within these communities and seek to understand the difficulties which prevent them from receiving support from domestic abuse providers.
12. Ensure the timely input of data into the online case management tool for effective reporting of outputs and outcomes.
13. Support the attainment and maintenance of quality standards including Women’s Aid National Quality Standards.
14. Act in a professional manner at all times, communicating effectively, building and sustaining effective and appropriate relationships at all times with survivors, colleagues and partners.
15. Manage a case load ensuring each survivor receives a responsive and appropriate service individual to their needs.
16. Support the empowerment of the survivors and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation, and help them regain control of their lives.
17. Support high risk survivors at court hearings relating to the domestic abuse they have experienced.
18. Ensure that all safeguarding measures are delivered in respect of the service-users and their children and that at all times you adhere strictly to policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
19. Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising, providing training and institutional advocacy.
20. Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the service works in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
21. Remain up to date and compliant with all organisational procedures, policies, and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.
22. Participate as required in the delivery of contingency plans outside of the normal shift pattern.
23. Participate in Health and Safety procedures to ensure a safety-first workplace culture is maintained.
24. Regularly update knowledge around domestic abuse, interpersonal violence and the wider VAWG context.
25. Maintain strict confidentiality, professional boundaries and security procedures.
26. Participate in Health and Safety procedures to ensure a safety-first workplace culture is maintained.
27. Regularly update knowledge around domestic abuse, interpersonal violence and the wider VAWG context.
28. Maintain strict confidentiality, professional boundaries and security procedures.