Learning Disability & Family Caseworker

Mencap’s Learning Disability Information and Advice Service (England) are looking for a passionate, experienced caseworker to join as a Learning Disability & Family Caseworker with our dedicated second tier advisers - the Learning Disability Caseworkers.

We have a new position within our team, for a Learning Disability & Family Caseworker, it is a permanent position and will be subject to DBS checking. This is a fulltime position, 37.5 hours per week and it is a home based role with occasional travel to Peterborough, or other locations if needed.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap!

We are Mencap

Everything we do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.

Our vision is a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to, and included.

Our Information and Advice Service is an essential resource for people with a learning disability, their families, and carers. People contact us with enquiries about Social Care, Housing, Mental Capacity, Welfare Benefits and more.

What will you do as a Learning Disability & Family Caseworker?

• You will split your time between advising your own clients and regularly checking in with and supporting clients we have referred to external partners for legal advice and specialist casework. This role will particularly focus on supporting families who have had a loved one with a learning disability die avoidably, and families where their loved one has been detained under the Mental Health Act in an in-patient hospital, and we are supporting them through our external strategic partnerships. You will lead our casework co-ordination with these partners and will regularly catch up with them to discuss progress on cases and support families in their ongoing journey.

• You will ensure that you coordinate our cross-organisational offer to families, liaising with other Mencap departments, such as media, digital, fundraising, policy, and campaigns, so that families can tell their story in the media, and take part in wider influencing and system change.

• You will play a key role in shaping and delivering effective, person-centred, accessible advice. Undertaking safeguarding work, keeping effective client records, and continuing to support families and people with a learning disability who have come through our advice service.

• You will gather client feedback and work with research on broader outcomes collection and impact reporting.

• This role requires emotional resilience, as you will be dealing with potentially distressing cases and providing emotional and casework support to families experiencing bereavement and trauma.

What will you bring to the Learning Disability & Family Caseworker role?

• You have a track record of delivering AQS quality marked advice.

• You understand how to manage your time and deliver good quality casework.

• You can identify and competently manage safeguarding and difficult cases.

• You can communicate effectively, demonstrating an excellent standard of written and spoken English, an additional language is useful but not essential.

• You have experience of working in an advice setting, preferably with people with a learning disability or other excluded groups.

• You have experience of coordinating people and partnerships

• You can interpret data and confidently use Microsoft applications and CRM systems, such as Dynamics 365, or Advice Pro.

• You have qualifications in advice, either generally, or for a specific area of law.

If you feel you have the experience needed to be a Learning Disability & Family Caseworker, please apply with an up to date CV or if you would like more information please get in touch with Jesse in the recruitment team via jesse.owens@mencap.org.uk or 01733 873736

JOB ID: 28778

This vacancy closes on the 24th May 2023 and interviews will be held on 30th and 31st May 2023. The starting date for the successful candidate will be 3rd July 2023.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applicants with disabilities to apply for all roles with us. To find out more about the scheme please visit the direct gov website.

As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.

• 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme
• Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed
• Eligibility to join Mencap Pension Plan where Mencap matches contributions up to 5% on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings. If you don’t join the Plan you start, you will be auto-enrolled after three months with us.
• Membership of Mencap Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness
• Loans for debt consolidation, bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via Mencap Extras
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Quarterly award scheme and recognition at every 5 years through our YouRock program
• Access to award winning training and development

• T&C's apply based on contract

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Mencap, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. We want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.

Our work includes;

• providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose
• providing advice through our help lines and web sites