Welfare Support Officer

Annual salary: up to £29,856.80 per annum, including company vehicle and fuel card or £3,500 company car allowance.

Location: Edinburgh

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

Mears provides temporary accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their claim is being assessed in three regions:
Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Mears works in partnership with central and local Government, registered providers, tenants, landlords and investors to find solutions to homelessness, provide more social and affordable housing and create specialist housing for people with care needs.

This role supports asylum seekers through their asylum application process with the Home Office. You will provide practical and emotional support, identify needs, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with Home Office audits. The position requires resilience, trustworthiness, empathy, and a people‑focused approach.

• Support service users at various stages of their asylum application process
• Address safeguarding and welfare issues appropriately, escalating concerns when necessary
• Provide practical and emotional support to service users
• Monitor wellbeing and identify support needs for individuals and families
• Ensure accurate record‑keeping for Home Office audits and compliance
• Carry out risk assessments and update support plans regularly
• Maintain professional boundaries while providing a supportive and empathetic service
• Assist service users with accessing healthcare, education, and community services
• Signpost to external agencies and support networks where appropriate
• Accompany service users to appointments or interviews where required
• Promote independence and resilience by encouraging service users to develop life skills
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, local authorities, and partner organisations
• Respond quickly and calmly to crisis situations to ensure safety and support
• Contribute to service improvements by sharing feedback and best practice
• Support equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery

• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse client groups
• Strong understanding of safeguarding practices and procedures
• Ability to identify needs and put in place appropriate support packages to promote independence
• Experience supporting people with mental health issues and/or challenging behaviour
• Effective communication skills with colleagues, service users and local authorities
• Experience with record keeping, case management, and risk assessments
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and prioritise tasks
• Resilient, supportive, trustworthy, approachable, empathetic, and a good listener
• Flexible and willing to travel as required
• Ability to remain calm and professional in difficult or emotional situations
• Good IT skills for updating case notes and maintaining accurate records
• Commitment to confidentiality and data protection
• Full UK driving licence

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual Mears Fun Day
• Volunteering leave – paid volunteering in the community
• Staff perks with Mears Rewards – discounts on groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, share save scheme, etc.
• Family‑friendly policies
• Company vehicle and fuel card
• Access to EAP counselling sessions

Driving requirement: To operate a company vehicle you must be aged over 21, have held your licence for at least 3 months and have less than 9 points.

UK work entitlement: All roles require candidates to hold the entitlement to work in the UK;
Mears does not offer visa sponsorship.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and hold a Disability Confident status. We support the Armed Forces Covenant and have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.