Caseworker Candidate Information Pack

Transcription

1 Caseworker HO IE0001

2 Welcome Thank you for your interest in these caseworker roles in Returns Preparation. I am looking for caseworkers who are flexible and enthusiastic in their approach, who can follow and interpret rules and guidance carefully but who can also act on their own initiative and seek to continually improve both their own performance and wider business processes. The casework we do in Returns Preparation can be challenging. You would be dealing with migrants who have typically exhausted all avenues to stay in the UK. You will have to consider each case that you are asked to handle carefully, balancing the rights of the individual with those of the wider UK society. Cases can be sensitive and complex to deal with. However, we will give you excellent training and support to equip you with the skills necessary to be an effective caseworker for us. Returns Preparation strives to be an enjoyable place to work. The leadership team is open and collaborative in its approach. When the time comes to move on, many staff develop their careers further in the Home Office or wider civil service. I encourage you to read the rest of the candidate pack carefully and then, if you think you meet the profile of what we are looking for, please do submit an application. Thank you. Andrew Bailey Deputy Director Returns Preparation Page 1

3 What s included in this pack? It is important that you read all of the information in this pack before you complete your application. You ll find lots of useful information, guidance and hints and tips in this pack, including: Who we are What it's like The role Am I eligible? Locations Benefits Selection Process Frequently Asked Questions Page 2

4 Who we are The Home Office leads on immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime policy, counter-extremism and counter-terrorism and works to ensure visible, responsive and accountable policing in the UK. These issues are at the heart of the Government s agenda. The challenges the Department faces are significant and can change rapidly in the global environment in which we operate. This makes it one of the most exciting and stimulating Departments to work in. We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We have been recognised in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women; and were the first organisation to be Clear Assured in recognition of our work to recruit and retain disabled staff. We have been recognised as one of the Star Performers in Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. Immigration Enforcement Immigration Enforcement is an operational command of the Home Office, responsible for enforcing immigration law. We form a part of the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system. Created in 2012, we provide a visible and robust response to illegal migration. We are made up of some 5000 staff deployed nationally and internationally. Alongside 9 Immigration Removal Centres, Immigration Enforcement has 1200 uniformed arrest trained officers; a 500 strong criminal and financial investigation division; an overseas network of Risk and Liaison officers; an intelligence division providing services to the whole of the immigration system and case-working teams focused on removals and foreign national offenders. We deal with the most complex, harmful and resistant element of the immigration system. We also deploy a wide range of interventions to maximise the return of those here illegally, increase compliance and deterrence, and penalise those who facilitate and benefit from immigration abuse. These interventions include encouraging voluntary return by denying access to services and benefits; tackling those who work illegally, and those who employ them; applying hard edged enforcement capabilities - arrest, detention and deportation - to the most non-compliant and those presenting the most harm to the UK. We also routinely prosecute and disrupt organised immigration crime. Returns Preparation We expect the highest possible standards of professionalism and teamwork from our staff. You would be required to operate and make robust decisions on difficult and complex cases. Working with Returns Preparation requires you to have strong emotional resilience and make well balanced decisions in often difficult circumstances. We select our staff through a stringent and robust recruitment process. For those who meet these demanding standards, it is a hugely rewarding and very satisfying career and one that offers the opportunity for increasing responsibility and reward. We wish you well in your application. If you want a fast-paced and rewarding role, apply now and join our team. Page 3

5 What it's like - A day in the life I studied Criminal Justice & Criminology at the University of Leeds. This course was comprised of Law, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy modules which provided a wide and varied overview of the Criminal Justice system and the issues it faces in the 21st century. I was delighted to graduate with a BA honours degree in 2009 at a 2:1 classification. Having worked in the private sector since graduating I was fortunate to gain a caseworker position in 2015 as part of a rapid expansion programme at that time within Immigration Enforcement (which was a Fixed Term Appointment). I was drawn to the role because I was keen to join a department that had a sense of purpose, making positive changes to deliver for the public. I also recognised that working in such a large organisation could assist my overall development and open further doors in regards to career progression. I enjoy working with a sense of autonomy, knowing that I am responsible for my own caseload and that I can track the progress of my cases to a conclusion. The role also requires close team working with your immediate colleagues and numerous other departments across Immigration Enforcement and the wider public sector. This type of collaboration leads to a sense of genuine fulfilment in the knowledge that my efforts play a significant part in the reduction of the illegal population in the UK. As a caseworker I m faced with constant challenges which need to be overcome in order to support the business to achieve its primary objective of securing the UK s borders and effectively managing immigration. The fact that you need to think on your feet and be an all round problem solver means that successes are extremely rewarding and are always championed within the department. Effectively managing an evolving caseload has ensured that my time management and organisational skills have always been tested, and as a result I have a real self-awareness of my development in these areas since starting in the role. I have also had the opportunity to cover for my line manager; overseeing team performance and contributing to management meetings. This additional responsibility has enabled me to add to my skillset and build upon existing attributes. Having joined the Home Office with no previous experience within the field I was surprised at how quickly I was able to grasp a working knowledge of the Immigration Rules and apply them within the role. I was supported through initial training and then via mentor schemes ensuring that I was constantly learning from experienced caseworkers. I have developed an intricate knowledge of Immigration Enforcement to the point where I now volunteer as a mentor in order to aid in the development of new recruits. I would recommend anyone to apply for the role who enjoys taking responsibility for their own work and who likes collaborating with others in order to achieve positive outcomes. The role also requires a degree of problem solving, within the realms of official guidance and the Immigration rules, and therefore would be a perfect fit for someone who likes to solve problems and isn t afraid of being challenged. Note: I've been successful on promotion and will be moving jobs to the National Crime Agency. Page 4

6 I was attracted to the role within Returns Preparation as the work is varied and not monotonous whilst allowing some freedom on work management instead of it being a very rigid structure. The role provides regular challenging cases to consider and investigate and you have a great sense of accomplishment when the work you do comes to a conclusion. This is in addition to being trusted to complete the work allocated with little supervision and to manage your own work appropriately. I have been able to build up a good knowledge of human rights, the immigration system in general as well as parts of the legal system during my time here. I ve had the chance to develop my presentation skills having taken on extra roles within the department with the learning and development team which has made me more confident with my communication and presentation skills. My communication skills have vastly improved as you have to regularly liaise with people in other departments as well as other government bodies. There are various projects and development opportunities that arise within the department with this being at the forefront of immigration control. This is a challenging role within a large government body which offers good opportunities to develop yourself. I started studying for a law degree at the University of Reading in 2002, graduating in I had been interested in law since studying the subject for an A-level and it didn t seem to hurt that I was able to pick up and understand the concepts relatively easily! I then worked at various solicitors for over 8 years before deciding to join the Civil Service in I had been interested in joining the Civil Service for quite a while and had even almost applied for a role in the past! I believed that the Civil Service provided a great career path and I also liked the idea of making a contribution through public service. The caseworker role in particular seemed interesting to me as it impacted upon an area of the law of which I was unfamiliar. From reading the job description, I thought it would mesh well with my previous litigation experience and provide a new exciting and challenging environment in which to further develop my pre-existing skills. I enjoy the wide variety of tasks which you take on within the role. No two days are the same. I also enjoy the insight into different cultures and backgrounds the job provides along with the challenge of effectively resolving a case. This is especially true as the circumstances of every case are completely different. The caseworker role necessitates the end to end management of cases and I enjoy being able to progress the case from beginning to end. Especially if the case results in a happy conclusion for the individual concerned or the business; for example the appropriate granting of leave or the return of a serious criminal offender. The job is also challenging in that every case is different and you have to be very flexible and adaptable to resolve different issues. Since taking on the caseworker role, I have become more interested in the Intelligence aspects of the position. I was able therefore to develop this area of my skills and become an intelligence lead on my caseworking team. I was able to focus my development on this area and get involved in promoting and raising the profile of intelligence trends. I was also able to diversify into other unrelated areas such as recruitment. I have had the opportunity to take up job shadowing in other areas such as visiting the operational teams in Belfast. Page 5

7 I have been able to develop my skills in a number of different areas and also diversify into new ones. I was able to develop my existing litigation skills in relation to Immigration Law, an area of which I had no previous experience. I have developed a thorough understanding of the Immigration Regulations and a practical knowledge of their use. The caseworker role has also added to and developed my investigative and analytical skills particularly in the use of intelligence, enabling me to make well informed decisions. I would recommend the caseworker role to someone who wanted to build on, develop and expand their existing skills in a varied and challenging environment. I would recommend the Home Office for its friendly working environment and the flexibility of it s working arrangements, which are not available from most employers. The role Background Returns Preparation is part of Immigration Enforcement, a department of the Home Office, which is responsible for preventing immigration abuse, tracking immigration offenders and increasing compliance with immigration law. It works with partners such as the police to regulate migration in line with government policy, while supporting economic growth. Immigration Enforcement staff work in the UK and overseas, including air and sea ports. We work across government and with employers, the voluntary sector and others to maximise compliance with the immigration rules. The organisation comprises more than 400 members of staff in a variety of locations in the UK, with the hub in Sheffield. Returns Preparation has a crucial role to play in tackling illegal immigration. Within the command there are three deputy director-led strands of work: Core Casework This is a command largely composed of executive officer level caseworkers who each have responsibility for the progression of a caseload of enforcement cases. Activity taken on individual cases will vary from securing appropriate travel documentation to facilitate a removal, trying to establish contact with migrants who are evading immigration control, along with considering Human Rights issues raised by migrants, in accordance with rules and guidance. Caseworkers will also grant leave to remain where that is the appropriate outcome on a case. Job description These are exciting new posts which will form part of the Returns Preparation Core Casework Command. These are fixed term appointments of 12 months. The post holders will be responsible for the end-to-end case management of individuals who have either remained in the UK beyond the period of leave entitled to them or those who have entered the UK illegally, and have no right to remain here. As an immigration caseworker you will work collaboratively with enforcement teams and other parts of the business to ensure that the correct decision is made in all cases and that you actively progress the cases of those you refuse and who have no right to be here. Page 6

8 Key Accountabilities for the Core Casework Roles: Undertaking casework within the service and quality standards; Ensuring and phone enquiries are responded to promptly; Undertaking quality checks; Managing own performance and attendance; Identifying own training needs and skills gaps; Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key partners; Ensuring guidance on the secure handling of documents and information is adhered to; Ensuring data accuracy levels are met on locally held records (stats sheets, caseworker diaries, performance and quality management tools) and on written Case Information Database (CID) notes; Keeping up to date with changes to policy, procedure, legislation and case law; Taking responsibility and actively managing an individual caseload; and Assessing the risk in all cases to highlight and escalate cases which are high risk as required. Competencies We'll assess you against these competencies during the selection process: Delivering at pace Collaborating and partnering Making effective decisions Managing a quality service Links Core Competency Framework Competency Guidance Download Competency Guidance Page 7

9 Am I eligible? To be eligible for the role of an Executive Officer (EO), you must: Meet the Essential Criteria (either through your education or experience) Meet the Eligibility Criteria Essential Criteria If you hold a 2:2 honours degree or above, or have casework experience in a Government department or similar and have well developed analytical skills combined with the ability to make effective decisions while working at pace to deliver a quality service, we would love to hear from you. Eligibility This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules and is therefore open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA Nationals and certain non EEA members. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. You will need to undergo and pass a CTC security clearance (Counter Terrorist Check). Under statutory identification rules, at the interview stage all candidates (including those from other government departments) will need to produce the following documents and bring them to the interview. A: One of the following Full valid current 10 year British Passport Other full valid passport, including European Union Identification Card B: Plus two of the following as additional forms of identity Bank or building society statement at given address - dated within the last 3 months Credit Card statement at given address - dated within the last 3 months Original Birth Certificate (long version) Adoption Certificate (issued within 42 days of adoption order) Full photo card Driving Licence Utility Bill (dated within the last three months) / Council Tax Bill (dated within the current tax year) sent to your given address (Please note Mobile Phone Bills will not be accepted) C: Plus one recent passport photo of yourself Candidates who have never worked in the UK will be required to provide proof of their National Insurance Number using one of the following: Nation Insurance Card Original letter confirming Nation Insurance Number issues by Government Department Candidates who fall into the groups below will need to bring with them evidence of their immigration status: British National who has been naturalised: Naturalisation certificate EEA, Turkish or Swiss National: Residence permits (if held) Commonwealth citizen with no restriction or time limit attached to your stay in the UK: Original Home Office papers confirming indefinite leave to remain. If you are unable to produce some of the documents mentioned above, please contact us for advice at: CandidateEnquiries@capitaras.co.uk Page 8

10 The key competencies for this post are: Delivering at pace (The Lead Competency will be used to complete the initial sift of your application) Collaborating and partnering Making effective decisions Managing a quality service. We strongly recommend you download and read the below before completing the competency section of the application. Links Core Competency Framework Competency Guidance Download Competency Guidance Locations We currently have vacancies in the following locations: Page 9

11 Benefits There are many benefits of working for Immigration Enforcement, including some of the best training programmes and rewards in the labour market today, as follows: Generous annual leave and privilege holidays Competitive pension scheme Excellent career and personal development Flexi time options Childcare voucher scheme Cycle to work scheme Free Eye tests Support and network groups Employee assistance programmes Working Hours We have a flexi-time system (subject to change in line with business needs) which provides employees (apart from shift workers) with flexibility over when they start and end their working day within core periods. It also allows employees to accrue flexi-hours as credits. These can be taken as Flexi Leave in addition to the annual leave and the public and privilege holiday entitlement (Please note that flexi leave is only available after the successful completion of the probation period). Salary The Executive Officer post is EO Grade, with a salary range of 23,330 to 26,831. Further details regarding the Grade, Salary and other benefits can be found in the candidate pack Download Candidate Pack Staff Support Networks Some of our support networks include, but are not limited to the following: A:gender a:gender is the support network for staff who have changed or need to change permanently their perceived gender, or who identify as intersex. Although a:gender are a Civil Service-wide organisation, the network has information and events of particular interest to Home Office staff, and you can get in touch with the Home Office a:gender contacts if you need advice or help. They are happy to talk to groups or individuals to further the understanding of gender issues. Able Able is a voice for all staff in the Home Office who have a disability or are affected by disability. Able is a positive-minded network, working to: improve awareness and understanding of disability issues support the correct support and adjustments to allow disabled staff to thrive and be the best they can be Page 10

12 Spectrum Spectrum is the Home Office LGBT+ staff support network for all staff based in the UK and overseas. Spectrum s purpose to provide a safe environment for LGBT+ staff to support each other, socialise and network to support the Home Office in its work towards creating a fully inclusive workforce Stand 2 Support Stand 2 Support (veterans group) is a support group for: veterans families of serving members of the armed forces emergency services anyone suffering effects from traumatic episodes (PTSD) If you or a family member has been affected by time served either in the armed forces or the emergency services, then Stand 2 Support can offer you ongoing support both inside and outside of the workplace. The Network The Network is a staff support group which is committed to promoting equality within the Home Office. Its goal is to ensure that the Home Office recognises and addresses the issues faced by staff from different social and cultural backgrounds. Selection Process Online Application Online Assessment Application Review Face-to-face interview Offer Closing Date: 23:59 on 10th November Closing Date: 23:59 on 17th November From 20th November From 7th December Early January Page 11

13 Stage 1 - Online Application Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete your application and the online test; we will not accept late applications. Applications will be assessed against the competencies listed within the 'The role', which help us to assess your ability to undertake the role. We will not review your employment history or any other section of your application when shortlisting applications. Once your application has been submitted, you will be sent a link to the online test. We strongly recommend that you complete your application as soon as possible, giving yourself more time to practice and complete the test. Please note, the closing date for your application form is 10th November 2017 at Stage 2 - Online Assessment Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an asking you to complete an online test. This test is the first element of the recruitment process that is scored for shortlisting purposes; your results of this test will determine if you are shortlisted. The test is a verbal reasoning test where you will be asked a series of questions designed to measure a candidate s ability to interpret verbal information and reach correct conclusions. Important note Ensure you are in a quiet area before starting the assessment to avoid distraction and ensure you receive a fair and honest test score. Once you have started the assessment you CANNOT STOP and therefore you must ensure you will not be interrupted. We would advise that you undertake practice assessments before beginning the test. You will have the chance to complete as many practice assessments as you would like. Only candidates who score above the standard benchmark in this test will progress to the next stage of the selection process. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to support your application, the online assessment or interview, please detail this within the application. Capita will contact you to arrange any reasonable adjustment requirements. You must complete your test by the 17th November 2017 at 23:59. Page 12

14 Stage 3 - Application Review If you pass the Online Test we will review your application, against the essential criteria and competency statement. We will firstly review your application to ensure that you meet at least ONE of the following Minimum Criteria: or Hold relevant work experience in an office environment undertaking immigration casework or managerial duties; Hold the equivalent qualifications or academic attainment which must meet, or exceed, the recognised standard of a UK Bachelors degree, as verified by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) at least at 2:2 level. Equivalent qualifications may include a wide range of formal or vocational training as determined by UK NARIC. Please note you must have already been awarded the qualification/s and must be able to provide your certificate/s at interview. Competency Statement If you meet ONE of the essential criteria your competency statements will be reviewed by an independent assessor panel. The panel will firstly review your statement for Delivering at Pace. The Panel will not cross refer to any other part of your application. If you do not achieve a pre-determined score in the lead competency, your application will not be progressed and we will not review any other statements or any other part of your application. We will only score and assess applications that achieve a pre-determined score each competency. A review of applications will start from 20th November Stage 4 - Face-to-face interview Should you be one of the highest scoring candidates (in the location of the vacancy you are applying for), based upon a merit list, you will receive an inviting you to an interview as the next stage of the process. Any applicant applying under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme detailed will be invited as long as the minimum criteria are met. A Blended Interview A Blended Interview is a more flexible style of interviewing focussing on your experience and also about what you find enjoyable and engaging, using a combination of three distinctive question types: Strength questions These questions focus on motivation and passion. They do not require a structured or detailed response and are more focused on a natural and honest discussion around areas of enjoyment and effectiveness Page 13

15 Situational questions These questions are structured around reacting to a certain situation and seek to provide an insight into natural instinct and thought process as well as give an indication on how realistic scenarios within the role would be handled Competency/Capability questions These questions are based your experience and capability and focus on recent/previous actions to provide an indication of your ability to fulfil the role The interview will last approximately 45 minutes and may be held in any office location. You will be asked to provide examples of your ability to perform all of the competencies for the role. You will be asked to book a slot online via our recruitment system. We recommend that you book a slot as soon as possible to benefit from a range of dates and times. You will then receive an confirming your interview time and date. We will provide you with full details once you have booked your interview online. You will also be reminded of all documents that you MUST bring to your interview. You will be interviewed by two people. Typically, interviews take around 45 minutes to complete. We expect interviews to take place between early to mid December including weekends. Important note You will be asked to bring the originals and a photocopy of all of the documents Failure to bring the correct documentation may mean that your interview may NOT be completed. Stage 5 - Offer Your performance within the face-to-face interview will be scored and ranked. The highest scoring applicants from the face-to-face interview will receive confirmation via of their employment offer or a recommendation to join the reserve list, subject to completion of the appropriate pre-employment checks. We may also offer successful applicants a place on the reserve list. This means that we may contact you at any time in the following 12 months and offer you a post if and when they become available. We expect to notify all applicants of interview outcomes in late December / early January. We may notify applicants in merit order; this means that applicants obtaining the highest scores at interview may be offered the post first. Successful applicants may not complete training in their preferred location. Expenses will be paid to post holders who are required to travel or stay overnight at a different location to which they have been posted. Training is normally Monday to Friday. Page 14

16 Frequently Asked Questions How do I apply for a role? Applications will be carried out through an online process. To gain access to the online application process you will need to click the Apply button from the navigation menu. If I am an internal applicant or work for another governmental department, can I apply for this post? We would be pleased to consider staff on loan or transfer and there may be permanent or further loan / detached duty agreements for successful applicants at the end of the 12 month term (if it is agreed with all parties at the time). Please note these posts are for 12 months. Please also note that if your loan or detached duty is converted to a permanent post and you do not accept the terms, your terms will automatically revert to the new terms and conditions. Home Office Staff can apply on level transfer or promotion under a detached duty or loan. If you work for the Home office today and are released on promotion you will transfer as a Detached Duty or Loan, when you return you will go back to your original grade and department. If you work for another government department and are placed on loan into this role it will be for your current and parent department to decide whether your promotion will be recognised on return. You will require management approval to apply. How long does my contract last? We are recruiting for fixed term appointments of 12 months, there is a possibility of permanent posts. Please note internal staff and staff from other Government Departments may apply on loan for 12 months. Are there car parking facilities on site? Public car parking facilities are available nearby. Will I get feedback on my application or online test? We expect to receive an extremely high volume of applications. Due to this, we are unable to provide detailed feedback on your application, or online test results. We apologise for this in advance of your application. I am disabled, what support or adjustments can I expect? Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) Immigration Enforcement and The Home Office are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. To demonstrate our commitment, we use the Disability Symbol which is awarded by the Job Centre Plus. As a symbol user, we guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. For Clarity the Minimum Criteria are; Pass the on line test Achieve a score of 4 (or more) in each competency statement provided within your application Page 15

17 If you consider yourself to have a disability and your application meets the minimum criteria for the role, we will guarantee you a face-to-face interview. We will make reasonable adjustments to our process and systems to those applicants that require them, for example, to the online assessments. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to support your application form, the online assessment, at your interview or if successful in the workplace, please detail this in your application form. Please note, the closing date for your application is 10th November at 23:59 and you must complete your online assessment by 17th November at 23:59. Please let us know as soon as possible so that we can support you where possible in completing your application; for example, allowing additional time for you to complete the online assessment. At this stage we do not envisage any assessment during the interview. Who do I contact if I have any further questions? If you experience any issues with submitting your online application, completing the test or you have any question about the posts or the recruitment campaign, please us at CandidateEnquiries@capitaras.co.uk. A member of the recruitment team will contact you by or phone. Please also provide your name and contact details in the . You will receive a response within 48 hours of submitting your query. Page 16