Volunteer Caseworker
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (S.S.A.F.A - the Armed Forces Charity)
| Name: | Volunteer Caseworker |
| Organisation: | The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (S.S.A.F.A - the Armed Forces Charity) |
| Location: | Eagle House, 21-23 Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1QX |
| Type: |
Part Time
This role is flexible as volunteers can contact (phone or visit) clients at mutually convenient times (visits are restricted during COVID). Depending on their own existing commitments, the volunteer can agree to have one or more clients at any one time; while some cases take up more time than others there will be guidance and support available from the local Casework Manager. It is always agreed in advance, between the volunteer caseworker and Casework manager, which case(s) are allocated to the volunteer. While it is best to conduct casework regularly, as this ensures the volunteer keeps up to date with relevant knowledge, it is always possible to give more or less time or take breaks as needed. Volunteers do not work with the same client long-term, the role is shorter-term to assess the needs of the client and address them accordingly.
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Description
Caseworking would normally involve meeting people (often at their home) to assess their needs and help them to access the right support; during COVID arrangements have been made to enable remote caseworking. Assistance to clients can include obtaining funds on their behalf from military charities or accessing other support such as help with disabilities, transport or sourcing benefits advice. Rather than working long term with the same client you will carry out an assessment of their financial, domestic and health situation and work towards meeting those needs by applying for funds for the goods and services they require and sign-posting on to relevant organisations for specialist help or longer-term support. This is a varied role as you could be supporting an older veteran who may need adaptions to remain living at home or a younger person with more recent military service who needs support to furnish a flat, manage rent arrears or apply for a course.
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Organisation Description
SSAFA provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving (this is rarely the case in North Somerset) or those who have served in any of the Armed Forces (Veterans) and their families. We work with veterans of all ages, offering a range of tailored services to help them navigate life in and beyond the military.
There are a number of informative short videos about SSAFA on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/SSAFAForcesHelp/videos
When
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
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Cause / Interests
- Disability
- Elderly
- Homeless and Housing
- Mental Health
- Poverty and Debt
- Prisoners and Ex-Offenders
Types of Activity
- Administration
- Advice, Information and Support
- Business, Management and Research
- Computers, Technology and Website Design
Skills and Qualifications
Requirements
• Happy to visit people at home and put them at their ease (mostly by ‘phone during COVID)
• Able to complete forms and write short reports in a good standard of English
• Able to drive or travel to meet clients by public transport in the North Somerset area (only by exception during COVID)
• Experience of using a computer e.g. able to write and send emails, do research on-line, print and scan documents, complete on-line forms etc.
• Able to stick to the boundaries of your role as a caseworker (you will receive support and guidance from Casework Manager and other team members)
• Willingness to keep information about clients safe and confidential
• Happy to take on a role that involves working one-to-one with clients (you will be taught how to keep your personal details secure so that your clients enjoy your support but cannot infringe on your personal life)
• Training will be given so it is not necessary to have any case-working or military experience
Benefits
• An opportunity to meet and support people who have had military experience – from WW2 veterans to those who have served in recent conflicts; from across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Royal Marines.
• Great experience for anyone interested in career in involving working with people such as support work, customer services, social work, occupational therapy etc
• A real sense of satisfaction when you are able to provide funds for a client. This could be for rent arrears, home adaptions, white goods, training, a mobility scooter. Every case is different and your support can have a massive impact on people’s lives.
• Access to training that is valuable in all walks of life
• An opportunity to be part of the wider SSAFA charity, the oldest national, tri-Service military charity
• An opportunity to use existing skills, dust off old ones or develop skills in a new direction
Additional/Specific Suitabilities
| Minimum Age: | 18 | |
| Maximum Age: | NA | |
| Disabled Access: | Yes | |
| Wheelchair Access: | No | |
| Expenses: | Travel and other out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed | |
| Restrictions: | An enhanced DBS certificate is required as volunteers work on a one-to-one basis with clients | |
| Induction: | Yes | |
| Insurance Cover: | Yes | |
| Special Needs: | Considered on a case by case basis | |
| Offer: | Yes, weekly meeting for volunteers to support each other | |
| Training: | A mixture of on-line and residential training (reduced residential training during COVID). | |
| Other: | NA |
Recruitment Method
Application form, Informal discussion, References, Trial Period, DBS Check