Naval Children’s Charity – Caseworker

Salary: £22,142 (FTE £31,000 – 35 hours per week)

30 days annual leave FTE, 7.5% matched pension contribution

Part-time 25 hours per week, permanent contract

Location: Portsmouth Head Office

Line management: Senior Caseworker

Purpose of role

To provide compassionate, practical support and advice to eligible children and families, In accordance with the policies of the Naval Children’s Charity.

Working Pattern and Location

This is a part time, office based role of 25 hours per week, based at the Charity’s Head Office in Portsmouth.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Core Casework Support
Caseworkers are often the first point of contact for Naval families facing difficult circumstances. They provide timely support and advice, working closely with partner organisations to help ensure that children and families receive appropriate assistance.

Assessment and Recommendations
The Caseworker assesses the needs of children and families by taking time to understand each family’s circumstances. They prepare clear recommendations for appropriate assistance for consideration by the Senior Caseworkers, Senior Leadership Team and, where relevant, the Grants Committee. Support may include welfare related financial assistance, guidance for families managing personal affairs and finances, and assessment of child specific needs. All casework must be undertaken with empathy and without judgement.

Comprehensive induction training will be provided internally and externally, including training on the Charity’s bespoke CRM systems. Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Casework Duties

• Respond promptly and professionally to enquiries and correspondence from beneficiaries.
• Investigate grant applications, assess need and prepare clear, evidence based recommendations for the Senior Caseworkers, Senior Leadership Team and Grants Committee.
• Liaise with caseworkers from SSAFA, RN FPS and other organisations to support comprehensive, coordinated casework for beneficiaries.
• Build relationships of trust with beneficiaries. Provide appropriate advice and guidance, including signposting or referral to statutory services, external organisations and Armed Forces charities
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, childcare matters and the benefits system, together with an awareness of the Ministry of Defence allowance system.
• Investigate beneficiaries’ entitlement to statutory support and advise on other potential sources of charitable funding. With the beneficiary’s consent, make referrals and coordinate with other charities to develop an appropriate package of support.
• Identify opportunities for partner organisations to work proactively with beneficiaries.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, confidential and systematic records of enquiries, applications and grant awards, in accordance with the Naval Children’s Charity’s data protection policies.
• Maintain and develop relevant professional knowledge, training and skills.
• Undertake other relevant duties as reasonably assigned from time to time.

To apply, please complete an application form and submit it alongside a letter/personal statement to Sara Smith, Head of Operations, by the deadlines indicated below.

Alongside the application form, candidates are asked to send in a letter/ personal statement. It should set out the values, skills and experience that you have that makes you suitable for this role.

We hope that this candidate recruitment pack has piqued your interest in joining us and we would actively encourage you to have a pre-application chat if you would like to do so. To arrange please contact Sara Smith, Head of Operations, at sara.smith@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

A timeline for the recruitment process for this role is detailed below:

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted on a rolling basis so early application is encouraged.

We are committed to finding the best fit for our team and creating a fair, objective recruitment process. Therefore, as part of our selection process, shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete the following assessments provided by Thomas International:

• Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)
• Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEIQue)
• High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI)

To find out more please visit:

https://www.thomas.co/assessments/psychometric-assessment-aptitude-tests

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, evidence of the right to work in the UK and an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Find out more here.