Transition Worker

1. Role purpose

The Bridge to Belonging Transition Worker will deliver a focused, relationship-based programme for former separated migrant care leavers aged 21-25. The role is designed for someone who understands the practical, cultural and emotional challenges faced by young migrants and people seeking sanctuary as they establish themselves in the UK and move towards greater independence.

The postholder will act as a consistent Trusted Adult, helping each participant identify a clear priority for change and then providing practical advocacy, navigation and targeted support to help them make measurable progress. The role will be person-centred and flexible, but it will retain a clear focus on outcomes, progression and independence.

The postholder will work closely with Mary Seacole colleagues, Seacole Academy, local authority Leaving Care teams and community partners. Some specialist education and employment activity will be delivered by Seacole Academy, enabling the Transition Worker to concentrate on individual advocacy, navigation, relationship-building and project coordination.

2. Key responsibilities

Participant support and casework

Build trusted, professional relationships with separated migrant care leavers and maintain consistent engagement throughout the project.

Complete a holistic assessment and co-produce an individual support plan with each participant, identifying one clear primary improvement goal while remaining responsive to wider needs.

Deliver structured one-to-one support through a mix of face-to-face, telephone, video, outreach and accompanied appointments, with each contact having a clear purpose, agreed action and recorded outcome.

Provide practical advocacy and navigation around housing, welfare, benefits, health, education, employment, immigration-related signposting, community participation and independent living.

Support participants to maximise income and entitlements, access relevant grants or hardship support, sustain accommodation and overcome practical barriers to progression.

Where appropriate, support participants with family reconnection, mediation, community integration and rebuilding positive social networks.

Identify safeguarding, exploitation, homelessness or wellbeing risks and respond in line with Mary Seacole policies and procedures.

Project delivery and progression

Work to the Bridge to Belonging delivery model, including the planned programme of structured one-to-one contacts and 12 group activities across the year.

Coordinate participant journeys from referral and assessment through to review, progression and planned exit.

Ensure each participant has a clear progression pathway and that support remains focused on tangible changes in their life circumstances.

Coordinate access to Seacole Academy and other internal or external specialist services, avoiding unnecessary duplication of support.

Work with Seacole Academy colleagues so that education, employment, CV, interview, volunteering and work-readiness sessions are integrated into each participant’s plan where relevant.

Contribute to delivery of group sessions covering themes such as independent living, budgeting, rights and responsibilities, wellbeing, community cohesion, employment, volunteering and belonging.

Use accessible information, practical tools and short resource materials to help participants prepare for and make the most of structured sessions.

Partnership and community working

Work collaboratively with Luton Borough Council Leaving Care services, Personal Advisers and other referring local authorities where participants live in Luton or fall within the agreed project eligibility.

Build effective working relationships with local statutory, voluntary, community, education, employment and health partners.

Use knowledge of Luton and its communities to connect participants to appropriate local opportunities, support networks and services.

Contribute positively to projects and activities that strengthen community cohesion and the inclusion of people seeking sanctuary.

Represent Mary Seacole professionally at multi-agency meetings, community forums and partnership discussions as required.

Monitoring, recording and quality

Maintain accurate and timely case notes, support plans, risk assessments, referral records and evidence of outcomes.

Complete baseline, quarterly and exit reviews and contribute to project monitoring against agreed outcomes and targets.

Collect participant feedback and contribute to co-production activity, ensuring the voice of young people influences project delivery.

Contribute to anonymised case studies, funder reports and internal performance reviews.

Ensure all information is managed in accordance with data protection, confidentiality and organisational requirements.

3. Group delivery expectations

Plan, facilitate or co-facilitate engaging group sessions for young people from diverse cultural and migration backgrounds.

Adapt delivery to different levels of English, confidence, literacy and previous experience of formal services.

Create psychologically safe, inclusive sessions that encourage participation, peer connection and mutual respect.

Use interactive methods rather than relying solely on presentation-style delivery.

Work with colleagues and external partners to bring specialist content into group sessions where appropriate.

4. Person specification

Requirement	Status
Experience of working directly with young migrants, refugees, asylum seekers or people seeking sanctuary	Essential
Experience supporting young people through transition, independence, care leaving, housing, welfare or similar life changes	Essential
Experience delivering projects or structured support programmes with clear outputs and outcomes	Essential
Experience planning and delivering group sessions, workshops or community activities	Essential
Previous experience of working in Luton and knowledge of local communities, services and referral networks	Essential
Experience delivering or contributing to community cohesion, integration or sanctuary-related projects	Essential
Experience of advocacy, navigation, casework or practical problem-solving with people facing multiple barriers	Essential
Experience working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector organisations	Essential
Experience of maintaining case records, support plans, risk information and outcome evidence	Essential
Experience supporting care leavers or former separated migrant young people	Desirable
Experience of employment, education, welfare, housing or benefits support	Desirable
Knowledge of safeguarding risks affecting young migrants, including exploitation, homelessness and social isolation	Essential
Understanding of trauma-informed, culturally responsive and strengths-based practice	Essential
Knowledge of Luton’s diverse communities and the challenges and strengths experienced by people seeking sanctuary	Essential

5. Skills and attributes

Ability to build trust with young people who may have experienced trauma, displacement, loss or instability.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work sensitively across cultures and with people for whom English may not be a first language.

Ability to deliver focused, practical interventions while allowing the support relationship to develop around the individual’s needs and priorities.

Confident group facilitator with the ability to create inclusive, engaging and purposeful sessions.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a small caseload, appointments, outreach, follow-up actions and project deadlines within a part-time role.

Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate safeguarding, risk or specialist issues.

Good written skills and the ability to produce concise, accurate case records and monitoring information.

Commitment to equality, inclusion, dignity, anti-discriminatory practice and the values of Mary Seacole Housing Association.

6. Working arrangements

The post is 16 hours per week and will require flexibility to meet participant availability, including occasional early evening activity where agreed.

Delivery will include office-based work, community outreach, partner venues and accompanied appointments across Luton and wider Bedfordshire.

The role will be subject to the appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check where required.

The postholder will be expected to work within Mary Seacole policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, lone working, confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.

7. Project context

Bridge to Belonging is a 12-month programme supporting separated migrant care leavers aged 21-25. The project combines a Trusted Adult relationship, advocacy and navigation, structured one-to-one support, group activity, community connection and access to Seacole Academy. The role is intended to complement, not duplicate, statutory Leaving Care support and will work collaboratively with local authority and community partners.

This job description is intended to outline the main responsibilities of the post and may be reviewed in line with project learning, participant need and organisational requirements.

8. Employment Verification

This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including DBS clearance, verification of the right to work in the UK, international police clearance (where applicable), and any other relevant employment or background checks.