Senior Refugee Welfare Officer

Overview

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives?

We’re looking for a Senior Refugee Welfare Officer to join our dedicated Asylum & Migration Team, supporting individuals and families who have fled conflict to build safe, independent lives in Buckinghamshire.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a small but impactful team working at the heart of the community. You’ll collaborate with other council services, partners, local organisations, and volunteers to deliver life-changing support and help families integrate successfully in Buckinghamshire.

Contract: Fixed term contract/secondment until 31^st March 2027.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

In this varied and meaningful role, you will play a key part in delivering refugee resettlement programmes, focussing on Afghan Resettlement and Homes for Ukraine

You’ll:

• Work directly with refugee families, providing tailored advice, welfare support and practical assistance
• Carry out needs assessments and create personalised support plans to promote independence and integration
• Coordinate with partners including local authorities, community organisations, housing providers and national bodies
• Lead on projects, manage casework and resolve complex or sensitive issues
• Monitor performance, gather data insights and contribute to continuous service improvement
• Deliver briefings, events and communications to support awareness and engagement
• Support community integration by connecting families with employment, ESOL, and local services
• Handle challenging situations with empathy, professionalism and cultural awareness

You’ll also play a key leadership role within the team, supporting service delivery, strengthening partnerships and helping shape long-term, sustainable solutions for refugee support.

Mobile:

A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. However, to support shared knowledge and collaboration, we work from the Gateway on a Monday and a Thursday.

 

About you

You’re someone who combines compassion with strong organisational and problem-solving skills. You’re comfortable working in complex environments and motivated by the opportunity to support vulnerable individuals.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in challenging or sensitive situations
• Strong case management skills, with the ability to manage complex workloads and priorities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including working across language and cultural barriers
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies and stakeholders
• The ability to think creatively and proactively to solve problems
• Good knowledge of public services or community support systems
• Confidence using IT systems and managing data effectively

You’ll also bring:

• A solution-focused and resilient approach
• Strong empathy, professionalism and integrity
• A passion for community impact and supporting others

For further details, please refer to the full job summary attached.

Other information

A full driving licence with access to a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.

For more information about this exciting role, please contact: Sarah Hannon

Closing date: 24th June 2026

Interviews: TBC

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/