Call for Expressions of Interest: Training and supervision for OISC caseworkers in delivering complex asylum, human rights and trafficking casework
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 offer in-depth training for 4 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.
As we enter our second year of the programme, we are seeking expressions of interest from organisations who want to support their OISC level 2 advisers to gain confidence and expertise in working in more complex cases. Cohort 2 will run from April 2024 for one year. A detailed breakdown of the programme structure can be downloaded below.
Expressions of interest should be submitted by 31 January 2024.
For more information about the programme and how to apply, click on the arrow on the bottom of the page and see 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 a further programme of training starting in late 2024 or early 2025 if you are working towards accreditation at level 2 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 hope this project will support people with.
Where will the training programme be delivered?
Training will be delivered in two 2-week blocks through both in-person and remote sessions. It’s expected that at least two weeks’ training will be held in-person in London, for which we have a budget for trainees’ travel and accommodation costs.
What will a typical training day look like? Can existing casework be managed alongside training?
During the intensive training stage (4 weeks total), sessions are scheduled to last 6 hours, with a typical day beginning at 10am. A one-hour lunch break is scheduled each day, with the session wrapping up around 4pm. This equates to 4-5 hours of training each day, depending on the topic and any smaller breaks added at the time. This should allow for a couple of hours at either end of the day for existing work, but it’s advised that the majority of casework is reallocated within your organisation during the four weeks of training in order for you to get the most from the sessions. There will be a short gap (1-2 weeks) between each 2-week block of training to reduce the impact of the programme on normal working patterns, as well as allowing time for trainees to absorb and begin to apply the training in their casework.
Will the programme be a full-time commitment during the shadowing and supervision periods?
During the shadowing stage, we plan to offer trainees as much shadowing as possible to maximise exposure, but there will be more time for managing a caseload as normal. In-person/online shadowing opportunities will arise on a weekly basis over the 8-week period, but this can likely fit around other work.
During the 12-week intensive supervision stage, one-to-one sessions will be scheduled for an hour on a weekly basis, providing time to discuss current work and complex cases, allowing time for a normal caseload alongside. During this period the supervisor will be available to review written work and discuss cases to support trainees in applying learning from the training and increasing their confidence.
For the remaining 6 months of the programme, work can be carried out as normal, with the added benefit of a peer support group and monthly remote sessions with your supervisor at Asylum Aid.
Where will the 8-week shadowing programme be delivered?
We expect to deliver shadowing once a week during this 8-week period, with a mixture of in-person and online shadowing opportunities available overall. Over 8 weeks, there will be the chance for trainees to shadow experienced caseworkers at Asylum Aid, or at their own or a partner organisation. At the same time, trainees will have the opportunity to be shadowed in their casework by one of our supervisors, including review of all written work and in-person/remote shadowing of client appointments. We anticipate that our supervisor will be able to travel to shadow trainees in-person (and vice versa) during the 8-week period.
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 take place both in-person and online. 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 believe 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 travel 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 Susie France (susie.france@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.