Volunteer Caseworker Grampian

Would you like to support people in a voluntary capacity who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If so, this could be the role for you.

What is a caseworker? Caseworkers work with clients to find 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.

Why do we need you? Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan. Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this.

When would you be needed and where would you be based? The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. You may need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting.

What does this role involve?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them or contact them virtually at a mutually convenient time
- Meeting or speaking with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice
- 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 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 and friendship 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

What training and support will you receive?
- 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.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What skills or experience do you need?
- Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English
- Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- 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

**Job Types**: Part-time, Volunteer

**Benefits**:

- Flexitime
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Day shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Casework can be carried out remotely

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aberdeen