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Asylum Aid & Justice Together Initiative

Training and supervision for OISC caseworkers in delivering complex asylum, human rights and trafficking casework – Call for Expressions of Interest

Asylum Aid is partnering with the Justice Together Initiative to provide in depth training for OISC Level 2 advisers who want to deliver complex casework at OISC Level 2 and 3, particularly in complex asylum, human rights and trafficking cases.

We are seeking expressions of interest from organisations who want to support their OISC advisers to gain increased confidence and expertise in working in more complex asylum, human rights and trafficking cases.

We can offer an intensive programme of training and support for up to 4 advisers on each of 3 training programmes – a total of 12 trainees.

We offer in-depth training for advisers, shadowing opportunities, intensive legal supervision, monthly group clinical supervision, and peer support groups. The programme is delivered through a mix of in person and remote methods.

Our vision is that by working in partnership with organisations across England and Wales we can support the development of a more sustainable advice sector, with more capacity to provide complex advice and to develop advice services.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by 31 March 2023.

For more information about the programme and how to apply, please see the document below and FAQs.

FAQs

Is the programme open to advisers who do not already have OISC level 2 accreditation and would like to work towards this?

No, the programme is aimed at advisers who are already registered with OISC at level 2 or above, but want to increase their confidence and skills in doing complex casework. However there will be further programmes of training starting in 2024 and 2025 if you are working towards accreditation but have not completed it yet.

Is the programme open to advisers who have OISC level 3 accreditation but feel they could benefit from more experience with complex casework?

Yes – having OISC accreditation at level 2 or 3 but not having much practical experience of doing work at that level is what we want to support people with.

Where will the 4-week intensive training programme be delivered?

1 week of the training programme will be held in person in London, for which we have a budget for trainees’ travel and accommodation costs. The remaining 3 weeks will be delivered remotely.

Where will the 8-week shadowing programme be delivered?

We expect to deliver shadowing in person once a week during this 8-week period, with a mixture of in-person and online shadowing opportunities available overall. During the first 4 weeks, trainees will be shadowing experienced caseworkers at Asylum Aid or at their own or a partner organisation. This will be a mix of in person and online shadowing. During the second 4 weeks, trainees will be shadowed in their casework by one of our supervisors, including review of all written work and in-person and remote shadowing of client appointments. We anticipate that our supervisor will travel to trainees in this second period for in person shadowing approximately once a week.

Will the programme be a full-time commitment during the training and shadowing periods?

The 4-week intensive training period is intended to be full time throughout, although there will be some flexibility around this, depending on trainees’ needs. During the 8-week shadowing period we plan to offer trainees as much shadowing as possible to maximise exposure, but this can likely be fitted around other work.

How will the 12-week supervision period, peer support meetings, and ongoing support be delivered?

The 12 weeks of intensive supervision, when trainees will be undertaking their own casework, will include a weekly 1:1 with their supervisor which will alternate between in person and online. We expect that the supervisor would travel to the trainees’ location for the in-person supervision. The peer support group, held fortnightly over the first 6 months, will alternate between in-person and online sessions. In-person sessions will likely alternate between London and elsewhere according to where trainees are located. In months 7-12, there will be a monthly peer support group which we anticipate will be held mainly online, although trainees can decide what works best for them. During this period, they will also have access to their supervisor for 2nd tier support by telephone/remotely, but will not have the same structured weekly supervision sessions as before.

Can there be any flexibility in how and where the programme is delivered?

We will work with trainees once selected to design the training, shadowing, and supervision so that it works as much as possible with their commitments and work schedules. We do think some of it needs to be in person and that this may sometimes involve coming to London. But we would also expect our supervisor to be travelling to trainees, with an overall mixture of in-person and remote commitments.

How do I submit my Expression of Interest?

Please send an Expression of Interest of no more than 2 A4 pages by email to Alison Pickup (alison.pickup@asylumaid.org.uk) telling us about your organisation, the communities you work with and the proposed trainee’s reasons for wanting to participate in the programme, and a copy of their CV. More details about what we need and the criteria against which your application will be scored can be found in the document below.