Volunteering

Volunteer Caseworkers needed for Arun & Chichester

For SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity

Register your Interest

Volunteer caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families who need financial, practical, and emotional assistance. 

Upon accepting a potential beneficiary’s case, a caseworker becomes their SSAFA point of contact.

Caseworkers listen without judgement, gather information and assess support needs.

They then complete a written case report outlining the help required.

A successful outcome could mean securing funding for; special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so a beneficiary can remain at home, or for a rental deposit.

Caseworkers also sign-post people to specialist advice for example, support with benefits, housing, debt and mental health. The assistance provided through casework will often be life changing.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting beneficiaries onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system.
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services.
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding 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.
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.

Skills

A military background and/or prior casework experience is not required as full training will be provided.

• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English
• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills.
• Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms
• If required, 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
• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability 
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients
• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Access to a computer/laptop, internet, and a private space for confidential calls/meetings is necessary.
• Access to a car or public transport is also highly desirable because a visit to the home of a beneficiary will need to be made at the start of a new case but the rest of the administration and research tasks can be done at home.

About SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity

SSAFA (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) is the UK's oldest tri-service military charity.

Founded in 1885, it provides lifelong emotional, practical, and financial support to serving personnel (Regulars and Reserves), veterans, and their families.

Key Services & Support
Welfare & Casework: Over 2,500 trained volunteers offer face-to-face support in local communities across the UK and on overseas military bases.

Forcesline: A free, confidential, independent helpline and webchat available to anyone in the Armed Forces and their families.

Specialist Services: Assistance includes housing and debt advice, mentoring for transitioning service leavers, and organizing short breaks for military families with special needs.

Norton House: Provides free "home away from home" accommodation for families while loved ones receive treatment at the Defense Medical Rehabilitation Center.

Details

• Yes - DBS check required
• Yes - Equality and Diversity Policy
• Yes - Expenses reimbursed
• Yes - Health and Safety Policy
• Yes - Is it fully accessible
• Yes - Ongoing support
• Yes - Suitable for physical or sensory impairment
• No - Suitable for Under 18's
• Yes - Training provided
• Yes - Volunteer induction
• Yes - Volunteer Policy
• Yes - Volunteers covered by insurance
• Yes - Written role description

Availability

It's a flexible role which typically requires 1-2 hours per week once assigned a case, with cases usually resolving in about a month.

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