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SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity
Caseworker
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of practical, emotional, and financial support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Location
South Derbyshire Area
Is the location accessible for those with physical disabilities or limited mobility?
No
Is the location accessible by public transport?
Yes
When?
Could this role be carried out virtually or through a hybrid volunteering model?
Yes
Is a criminal record check (DBS) required for this role?
Yes, ENHANCED
Is a driving license required?
Yes, the essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home.
Are expenses covered?
Yes, TRAVEL and out of pocket expenses
What will you be doing?
Some examples of you may be doing:
• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time
• Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice
• Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing
• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
What skills are required?
• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English
• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the caseworker training course)
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients
• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
Will training be given or available?
Yes, we will provide:
• On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Most branches have regular gatherings for caseworkers to meet and share ideas
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
Additional important information
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Support people in your community with a military background
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
For more information visit SSAFA online at https://www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer.
For further information on this opportunity and more please complete this form:
Alternatively email volunteer@sdcvs.org.uk quoting the opportunity number stated below.
Category
People Centred
Volunteer Opportunity No.
VFO-23-0130
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