Advice and Support Caseworker

Job title: Widening of Dispersal & Voluntary Returns Caseworker

Report to: Ukraine and Widening of Dispersal Manager

Duration: Fixed term until the 31 March 2027 (with the possibility of extension)

Hours: 1 FT Role - 35 hours per week

Location: Wrexham, Flintshire, and Denbighshire.

Annual benefits pro rata

• 27 days leave, increasing by 1 day per annum to a maximum of 30 days
• Up to 2 days paid volunteering leave
• Up to 3 days paid carers leave
• Up to 5 days paid study leave relating to role
• Access to company paid counselling support.
• Staff cash back plan for healthcare

We are the Welsh Refugee Council

You will be joining us at an exciting time in our journey, helping us and the sector to support those who are forced to seek safety.

With over 36 years’ experience, we are trusted by the communities we serve and are seen as the lead organisation in Wales for sanctuary seekers and refugees.

As a key partner in delivering Wales' vision as a Nation of Sanctuary, we are committed to ensuring that people seeking sanctuary are treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We work to uphold human rights, promote inclusion, and ensure individuals are empowered to make informed decisions about their future."

Purpose of the post

With Welsh Government funding, a consortium of organisations led by the Welsh Refugee Council are working together to deliver the Wales Sanctuary Service and the Move on project which improve access to support services and advice for Sanctuary Seekers and Refugees across Wales. This role delivers in person and remote assistance to clients across Local Authorities in Wales, in partnership with local resettlement teams and other stakeholders.

This role is also part-funded by the Home Office and dovetails into our wider asylum and refugee services.

The role supports individuals to explore the full range of options available to them following a decision.

The Voluntary Returns portion of the role, aims to avoid destitution following a negative decision, once they become Appeal Rights Exhausted and there is no possibility to pursue a Fresh Claim. This part of the role is designed to help those with No Recourse to Public Funds to make informed decisions based on their personal circumstances, aspirations, and rights. Through person-centred, trauma-informed advice and support, the postholder will help ensure that clients have:

• Increased awareness of the Asylum Protection process, Asylum Support, and increased access to local and specialist support services.
• Increased awareness of the Move On process and access to mainstream services following a positive decision.
• Increased awareness of the voluntary return pathways that may be available to them.
• Increased access to trusted, informed, and non-judgemental conversations about voluntary return.

Any conversations about return will be led by the individual and grounded in principles of dignity, autonomy, understanding, and informed choice. The purpose of the VRS Project is not to encourage or promote return, but to ensure that individuals have access to accurate information and trusted support so they can make decisions that are right for them.

Any decision to pursue a return pathway must be entirely voluntary. The role will support informed decision-making free from pressure, coercion, or undue influence, recognising each person's agency, rights, and unique circumstances.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, and able to adapt priorities.
• Have excellent verbal and written skills- able to engage and ensure key points are communicated for maximum affect.
• Be able to build and maintain relationships with clients.
• Have knowledge of good practices with communications to increase engagement.
• Have the aptitude to provide effective…