Welfare Support Officer

Mears Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Mears Group is seeking a Welfare Support Officer in Leeds to support asylum seekers through their right to work application process. This fulfilling role requires resilience, empathy, and excellent communication skills, addressing welfare issues and maintaining professional boundaries while providing essential support.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual Mears Fun Day

Paid volunteering leave

Discounts through Mears Rewards

Family-friendly policies

Company vehicle and fuel card

Access to EAP counseling

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• Effective communication skills with colleagues and service users.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Trustworthiness

Flexibility

Resilience

Education

Full UK driving license

Job description

Welfare Support Officer

Leeds

Salary up to £28,917 per annum

Full time – Permanent, 40hrs per week, Monday to Friday

Including a company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 company car allowance

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

About the Role:

Due to contract expansion, we are seeking a Welfare Support Officer to join our team. This role focuses on supporting asylum seekers through their right to work application process with the Home Office. The ideal candidate will be resilient, trustworthy, caring, empathetic, and a good communicator. Every day presents new challenges and rewards, making this a fulfilling role.

Main duties include supporting service users at various stages of their asylum application, addressing safeguarding and welfare issues, providing practical and emotional support, monitoring wellbeing, and maintaining accurate records for Home Office audits. Maintaining professional boundaries and resilience is essential to deliver a high-quality, supportive service tailored to the needs of service users.

Role Criteria:

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Ability to assess individual and family needs and identify appropriate support packages to promote independence
• Experience with mental health issues and challenging behaviors
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, local authorities, and service users
• Experience in record keeping and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently
• Resilience and professionalism
• Supportive, trustworthy, empathetic, and approachable
• Flexibility and willingness to travel
• Full UK driving license

Note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK; Mears does not sponsor visas.

Recruitment checks: DBS & BPSS checks, security clearance, and relevant identification including proof of address, references, valid passport, and proof of UK residency for the last 5 years.

Driving requirements: Must be over 21, hold a license for over 3 months, and have fewer than 9 penalty points.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
• Paid volunteering leave
• Discounts through Mears Rewards
• Family-friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counseling

To apply or discuss your application, contact:

Beth Dunford ([e-mail])

We support diversity and inclusion, are a Disability Confident employer, and support the Armed Forces Covenant with a Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We also promote social mobility and encourage applicants to share background information voluntarily to help us improve opportunities for diverse candidates.