Welfare Support Officer

Medirest Signature; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the welfare sector is seeking a Welfare Support Officer in Aberdeen. This full-time position requires supporting asylum seekers through their application process, providing emotional and practical support while addressing safeguarding issues. The role offers a company vehicle, competitive salary, and various employee benefits, making it an excellent opportunity for compassionate individuals committed to helping others.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Volunteering Leave

Staff discounts via Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Access to EAP Counselling

Qualifications

• Experience with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
• Understanding of safeguarding.
• Experience with mental health and challenging behavior.

Responsibilities

• Support service users at various stages of the asylum application.
• Address safeguarding and welfare issues.
• Maintain accurate records for Home Office audits.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Resilient

Empathetic

Trustworthy

Ability to work independently

Education

Full UK driving license

Job description

Welfare Support Officer

Location: Aberdeen

Salary: £28,917 per annum

Full-time, Permanent Role - 40 hours per week

Includes Company vehicle and fuel card - on call duty required!

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers while their claims are being assessed across three regions: Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. As of May 2021, Mears served over 19,000 service users. We collaborate with central and local government, registered providers, tenants, landlords, and investors to address homelessness, increase social and affordable housing, and develop specialized housing for individuals with care needs.

About the Role:

Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Welfare Support Officer to join our team. This position involves supporting asylum seekers through their right to work and asylum application process with the Home Office. The ideal candidate will be resilient, trustworthy, caring, empathetic, and a people person. Every day presents new challenges and rewards.

As a Welfare Support Officer, your main duties will include supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application, addressing safeguarding and welfare issues, providing practical and emotional support, monitoring wellbeing and support needs, and maintaining accurate records for Home Office audits. Maintaining boundaries and resilience is essential to provide professional and effective support tailored to service users' needs.

Role Criteria:

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
• Understanding of safeguarding
• Ability to identify individual and family support needs and develop appropriate support packages
• Experience with mental health and challenging behavior
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, authorities, and service users
• Experience in record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently
• Resilient and supportive nature
• Trustworthy, approachable, and empathetic
• Flexible and willing to travel
• Full UK driving license

All roles require entitlement to work in the UK; Mears does not sponsor visas.

Additional Requirements: DBS & BPSS checks, Security Clearance, valid ID, proof of address, references, passport, and proof of UK residence for the last 5 years. To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be over 21, have held your license for over 3 months, and have less than 9 points.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
• Volunteering Leave
• Staff discounts via Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP Counselling

To apply or for further discussion, contact: Beth Dunford ([e-mail])

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and support the Armed Forces Covenant. We also promote social mobility through voluntary background sharing during application to improve opportunities for all.