Welfare Officer

Salary: From £21,000 (FTE £39,375)
Hours: 20 hours per week

This is a part-time post, with considerable flexibility.

Background

GesherEU is a charity working to support individuals who leave Charedi (Ultra-Orthodox) communities in the UK.

We do this by:

● Creating a community which those who leave their community of birth can join to find understanding and mutual support
● Running activities that help our members integrate into and find out about the wider British community from which they were isolated during their formative years (and sometimes long after).
● Providing one to one support and group support to those who are struggling to integrate within mainstream society.
● Getting to know our members, listen to their questions and help them consider their options and make informed choices.
● Being available to provide a listening ear as well as practical advice to our members as they navigate their way along their journey into mainstream society.
● Providing support so members have someone they can talk to about the dilemmas they have around their identity, relationships and anxieties.

Help transform lives by joining our community

As a support/welfare worker, you will have the opportunity to really make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Role Description

We need you to be resilient, supportive and sensitive towards the needs of people who have left a highly controlled religious community. This takes bravery, patience and commitment.

You will share our values and are willing to make a difference to the lives of people who are in the process of leaving or have left their community of birth.

Where you will be working: This role is home based with most members living in and activities taking place in North West London. However you must be willing to meet members in various locations around London and occasionally the Manchester area.

When you will be working: Working hours are flexible. You will however be expected to be available to attend the majority of the evening meetups (twice a month) and weekend meetups (approx. once a month). Also to attend our bi-annual residential weekends at a location within the UK.

Main Duties include

● Assist to develop and maintain a responsive support service to members
● Attend some group meetings and social events, building relationships with members
● Ensure that support is provided in an effective, efficient and sustainable way
resulting in outcomes in line with individuals’ needs.
● Provide one to one support and group support to those who are struggling to integrate within mainstream society.
● Getting to know our members, listen to their questions and help them consider their options.
● Being available to reassure and to provide practical advice; provide a listening ear. To become someone our members can talk to about their often bewildering and daunting new journey.
● Facilitate effective working relationships with other agencies who are involved
in the lives of the people we support.
● Ensure the development and regular review of person-centred support
planning, including assessment of personal risk.
● Advocate for or support individual members to help them navigate bureaucratic organisations including the family court, local authority, benefits agencies etc
● Ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of people we support is maintained at
all times.
● Act as a liaison to ensure members receive support from other specialist organisations
● Allocation of members to counselling. Tracking and monitoring members receipt of counselling and post counselling follow up.
● Responsibility for safeguarding within GesherEU.

Skills

● An interest in people and a commitment to helping others
● The ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with vulnerable people and their families
● Experience of working with people who have complex emotional needs
● Good listening skills
● An empathetic approach to members
● The ability to gain the trust of members and their families
● Good problem solving abilities
● An organised, efficient and flexible approach to the job
● The ability to work independently and as part of a team
● A knowledge of and commitment to learn about issues and challenges surrounding those who leave highly controlled communities
● A sound knowledge of resources inside and outside of the Jewish community which could directly assist members in integrating into mainstream society
● A commitment to equal opportunities
● Time management skills and the ability to meet the needs of several members at one time
● A high level of patience and emotional resilience
● A non-judgmental attitude regardless of our members’ situation
● The ability to communicate with legal, healthcare and social work professionals
● Good written communication skills
● Adequate IT skills
● A respect for our members’ confidentiality

Desirable experience

A background in a social services type organisation eg CAFCASS, Social work, mental health or a similar charity position supporting a community.

Have knowledge and experience of the benefits system

Engagement with the Family Court system

Knowledge of how high control communities operate and the impact on their members.

You will work with a supportive team of trustees who have many years of experience of working with our members.

Attributes:

● Be patient and an empathetic listener
● Have a positive demeanour and ‘can do’ approach
● The ability to multi-task
● Being able to think quickly
● Punctuality
● Willingness to learn
● Willingness to go the extra mile
● Being able to take responsibility

How to apply:

You can download a full version of the job description from our website:
https://geshereu.org.uk/help-us/work-with-us/

Please send your CV and a covering letter to admin@geshereu.org.uk
The closing date for applications is 15 August 2022 at 23:59