Detention Action (London) – Advocacy Liaison Volunteer

Purpose of the Role: Support the development of the casework team and improve the casework service, ensuring that our work is informed by the perspective of people who have experienced immigration detention and/or hostile immigration systems.

The Advocacy Liaison Volunteer (ALV) can support volunteer recruitment, induction & training, as well as developing and feeding back on materials and resources & shaping how the service operates. ALVs can request to be involved in any areas of the casework teams work they are interested in.

The ALV may also hold informal supervisory responsibilities of volunteers, this will be in addition to the current supervision provided by the Casework Coordinators. This supervision will be intermittent and informal, focusing on peer support and wellbeing. This can involve support with facilitating DA’s volunteer “wellbeing group” – a peer support space for all DA volunteers.

The Advocacy Liaison Volunteer role is an ad-hoc role, and not is not a front-line service role compared with other volunteer roles at DA.
Report to: Casework Coordinators / Casework Manager

Minimum commitment required:

6 months minimum commitment, however the role is very flexible within that,
depending on how much time you have and what you are interested in getting
involved with.
This role does not require a regular commitment compared to other volunteer roles
at Detention Action and is flexible, you could volunteer a few hours a month, or
more often that that depending on what you want to do.
We hold quarterly meetings (in the evening) to discuss projects and the focus of ALVs, as well as meetings during recruitment periods to plan recruitment and training. ALVs are encouraged to attend these meetings where possible. Responsibilities of the role: Below are some suggested ways that an ALV can be involved in the casework team, but an ALV will not be expected to be involved in all of these areas.
We hold quarterly meetings where we agree areas of work and ALVs can request to be
involved in any areas of the casework teams work they are interested in.

Recruitment and Training

Working alongside casework coordinators and the training & recruitment working group to assist with short listing, interviewing, training and the induction of new volunteers.
Supporting the transition period of new volunteers with lived experience.
Attending Training and Recruitment working group meetings during recruitment periods to help make recruitment decisions.
Collaborating with the casework team in drafting, delivering, developing & reviewing training materials for volunteers.
Identifying training and development opportunities for the volunteer team.
Building and developing community links and partnerships form personal and institutional knowledge, to aid recruitment of a diverse volunteering team, and building signposting and referral connections.

Developing the Casework Service:

Partnering with members of the casework team to develop specialist areas of the service, for example – work in prisons, work with women, access to legal advice, or focusing on other areas of the service that need development, for example ways to get feedback from people we have supported.
This could include developing materials and resources, delivering training and shaping how those specialist areas are run.

Volunteer Support and Supervision

Acting as a partnership link between the casework team and volunteers with lived experience. Advocating for volunteers with a diverse experience of immigration and detention practices.
Providing an additional supportive supervision space for volunteers– this could be 121 or helping to facilitate the volunteer wellbeing group.
Discussing ongoing support with the casework Coordinators if any points arise during additional supervision sessions with lived experience volunteers.
Highlight any concerns regarding the well-being of any volunteers, especially those with lived experience and any challenges that may need to be addressed accordingly.
Undergo any training that would help to improve and perform more effectively and efficiently in this role

Volunteer Development

All DA volunteers have a dedicated supervisor to provide ongoing support, training and supervision.
We will do our best to ensure that volunteers are fully supported by their Supervisor with regular check-ins and debriefs where we discuss how you are finding the role and how you would like to grow at Detention Action.
There will be the possibility to try different volunteer roles as you build your confidence and knowledge.
We will provide regular internal and external training.
We will expense any costs that you may incur as a result of volunteering, in line with our expenses policy.
We can provide a reference for future applications on completion of the volunteer commitment.

If access to technology (phone, laptop, data) is a barrier to applying for the role please let us know and we will see how we can assist. If you would prefer to do the role in person, at our office in East London, this may also be possible so please let us know.

If you would like to discuss the role further or have any questions, please email us and we can arrange a time for a chat about the role.

These roles are open to people of all genders with lived experience of hostile immigration systems.
To apply please email volunteer@detentionaction.org.uk explaining why you are interested
in this role.