
Edinburgh Trust Caseworker
Turn2us
- Closing: 11:59pm, 17th Aug 2022 BST
Job Description
Do you believe everyone has the right to enough to live on? Are you excited by the ambition in Edinburgh to eradicate poverty by 2030? Are you committed to working in a way that ensures dignity and equity to those of us in financial need?
In Edinburgh, Turn2us Edinburgh Trust provides a local grants programme, delivered through a network of referral partners, in order to reach individuals and families who are excluded from financial security due to the barriers they face. We provide direct financial support to help uplift and improve the lives of people affected by poverty.
We are looking for a new part time (21 hours per week) caseworker to join our team. The role sits at the heart of the support we deliver in Edinburgh.
Job Description:
Job Title: Edinburgh Trust Caseworker
Department: Programmes and Partnerships Directorate
Reports to: Edinburgh Trust Manager
Location: Edinburgh Office
Type of role: Permanent, part-time (21 hours per week, including Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)
Purpose of the Role: To manage the distribution of grants from the Edinburgh Trust Funds: providing support to individuals in financial hardship in collaboration with referral partners
Duties:
1) Case Management of grant applications ensuring dignity, safety and equity in our grant making
Uphold the Vision and Principles of the Edinburgh Trust by delivering the service with dignity and equity for grant applicants, and in respectful and collaborative communication with referral organisations
Provide full case management for new applications to the Edinburgh Trust funds: assess grant applications against the eligibility criteria of the Edinburgh Trust funds, in accordance with Edinburgh Trust Policy, determining the level of grant required to meet the identified needs of the applicant
For casework issues of greater complexity, collaborate with the Edinburgh Trust Manager if required to support the decision-making process
Identify potential areas of additional support requested by applicants or referral partners, signposting as appropriate
On completion of assessment, make evidence-based and equity-based decisions on the awarding of a grant, documenting the recommendation on the CRM
Complete CRM case records, ensuring that all data is accurate and up to date and all supporting documentation is attached
Provide information and assistance to those who are ineligible for support from the grant funds managed directly by the charity. This may include directing to another charity, or other support services, listed on the Turn2us signposting database, or directing to other sources of support provided by the charity
Take a flexible, creative and people-centred approach to casework, working with referral partners, applicants and team colleagues to find the best solutions available to the applicant
Approach casework in the knowledge that assessment is a human process rather than an entirely objective one: strive to recognise and mitigate potential personal biases and judgements in decision making
2) Timely and efficient processing of grants
Manage approved cases (both new and ongoing grant recipients), arranging and reviewing payments according to Grants and Edinburgh Trust processes
Manage third party payments where requested/appropriate, monitoring and upholding referral partner agreements
Review existing cases on a monthly basis, in accordance with Edinburgh Trust Policy and take decisions to withdraw/update grant support, where required and support other team members with case work as necessary
Plan and manage a casework and review diary, ensuring that cases are processed in a timely fashion, are assessed and appropriately managed in a way that upholds the Edinburgh Trust Vision and Principles, Turn2us values and organisational policies
Proactively identify areas for change and improvement within the Edinburgh Trust programme, providing insight and feedback to the Edinburgh Trust Manager
3) Integrate GDPR, coproduction, Equity Diversity and Inclusion and safeguarding as good practice in grant making
Ensure strong safeguarding is integral to grant making, referring to Safeguarding policy regarding issues of concern
Follow GDPR good practice and organisational policy
Participate in organisation-wide working groups on areas of interest with an approach of continuous learning to improve impact and ways of working
Work with colleagues on new ways of working and development opportunities, ensuring that co production is at the heart of new developments
Bring a strong equity, diversity and inclusion lens to grant making and continuously identify ways to improve practice
4) Relationship Management with key partners in Edinburgh
Work alongside referral partners to support them in the application process
Provide clear and accessible information to referral partners as required, communicating application queries or outcomes in a timely manner, responding to queries from partners, and sharing feedback with the Senior Partnership Development Officer and Edinburgh Trust Manager
Represent the organisation with external stakeholders, in the promotion of the Edinburgh Trust funds
Contribute to the monitoring and management of a number of referral partner relationships
The post holder will take responsibility to integrate safeguarding into all aspects of their work, complying with organisational policies and frameworks.
The post holder will take responsibility for maintaining the vision and principles of the Edinburgh Trust in the course of their work:
Edinburgh Trust Vision:
To be a collaborative partner in the mission to eradicate poverty in Edinburgh. It is the ambition of the Edinburgh Trust to deliver programmes of support across the city that uplift and improve the lives of Edinburgh’s citizens who are experiencing, or are at risk of, poverty.
Principles:
We embed dignity and equity in the delivery of our programmes, with our organisational values at the core of our response to those who seek our support
We work in trusted and respectful partnership, as agents of change, with our colleagues in other organisations in Edinburgh and Scotland
Co-production sits at the heart of our development and helps drive our work; we listen to, learn from and include those who are experts by experience
We embrace listening and reflective practice and evaluation as a means to continually evolve and improve our impact
We commit to always taking a long term view focusing on the sustainability of our impact, even when our interventions are short-term
We acknowledge that structural and systemic changes must be made in order to end poverty
We will be accountable to the citizens of Edinburgh, for whom we exist, and to our partners
The post holder will be expected to ensure that their work complies with contractual terms and conditions, the Charity’s policies and procedures and key legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and charity law.
These are the normal duties, which the charity requires from the position. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and all employees will be required from time to time to perform other duties as may be required by the charity for the efficient running of the charity. This Job Description is non-contractual. It will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change.
Person Specification:
Skills:
Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in a warm, empathic, courteous and professional manner
Ability to plan and prioritise work
Ability to work to agreed deadlines
Ability to competently use MS Office suite to deliver work
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate with confidence
Numeracy skills
Ability to use a CRM system
Knowledge:
Broad knowledge of the scope of the Third Sector and statutory welfare provision in the UK, Scotland and Edinburgh
Understanding of the welfare benefits system in Scotland
An understanding of data protection
An understanding and commitment to promote equal opportunities and diversity
A broad understanding of safeguarding
Understanding and commitment to partnership working and co production
Experience:
Experience of working in a grant-making, information or advice role
Ability to work as part of a team and to be a supportive colleague
Personal Attributes:
A positive and energetic approach to helping to make a difference for people in financial insecurity
A commitment to very high standards of work and customer care
Highly motivated with an ability to work on own initiative and work proactively in key areas of responsibility
Turn2us is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we are particularly interested in applications from people from all backgrounds.
Removing bias from the hiring process
Applications closed Wed 17th Aug 2022
Removing bias from the hiring process
- Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
- You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review
Applications closed Wed 17th Aug 2022