Homelessness Immigration Project Immigration Caseworker

Ealing Law Centre – ELC, opened its doors in 2013. We are a community-based legal service which promotes rights and equality of opportunity. In 2025 we will have been serving the communities in and around Ealing for over 12 years and providing access to justice for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

Our current areas of work are in, housing, immigration, and welfare benefits. In immigration, we have an LAA contract and we also secure grant funds to provide advice in matters which are out of scope for Legal Aid.

The Role

As part of our West London Homelessness Project with the London Councils, the main function of this role is to provide immigration advice and representation to non – UK people sleeping rough or destitute in the Northwest London sub - region. Ealing Law Centre - ELC, is a partner in a partnership led by North Kensington Law Centre -NKLC, who will be working with supporting organisations including local authorities and homelessness organisation within our region.

As part of the project, we are committed to supporting non – UK rough sleepers in or around Ealing. To that end, the postholder will engage effectively with referral organisations and travel to outreach locations as required.

Overall purpose of the post

• To assist in the provision of high-quality advice and casework under the Homelessness Project in all categories of immigration, asylum, nationality law

• To regularly travel to and from ELC offices to outreach posts when required.

• Work with vulnerable individuals who are destitute in a respectful and sympathetic manner

• To support the Law Centre in generating further income through our LAA contract, and other funding streams

• Work towards a weekly referral target and comply with all the requirements of the project.

Role and Responsibilities

The post holder will:

• Work with the Senior Immigration caseworker/Supervisor to manage a complex caseload and take on cases which break new ground.

• Undertake outreach work at various sites within our sub-region

• Work closely with NKLC project co-ordinator and other ELC team members

• Post holder will be familiar with sections 95 and 4 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and Schedule10, paragraph 9 Immigration Act 2016 accommodation process and facilitate casework as required

• Assist with providing high quality advice, assistance and representation at all levels and up to First Tier Tribunal

• Contribute to New Matter Start take up to meet the Law Centre’s contract with the Legal Aid Agency (LAA)

• Ensure files are LAA Specialist Quality Mark, and Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) compliant at all times.

• In addition to the tasks and duties listed in this job description to undertake such duties as may be identified and which are generally compatible with the functions of the post other related casework.

Other responsibilities include:

• Carrying out duties to reflect and implement the equal opportunities objectives and policies of Ealing Law Centre

• Working flexibly, in a co-operative way with others and undertaking any other necessary and appropriate tasks

• To participate fully in unit and staff meetings

• Being self-servicing and able to use ICT programmes

• To observe the Law Centre’s Confidentiality Policy at all times

• To maintain Professional Development as required by LAA and Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)

• To attend courses on new legislation, specialist skills and the use of IT

• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant changes in law and policy

• To undertake such training as is necessary as to attain or maintain the standards required by the Law Centre

• To coordinate activities, procedures, and systems to promote common policies and practices.

Social Policy

To be alert at all times to social policy implications of issues presented by clients. To take appropriate action to influence social policy about these issues.

Accountability

Accountable to Senior Immigration Caseworker / Supervisor