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Applications for this opportunity will open on 23 September 2024.

About this project:

The Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) is dedicated to supporting survivors of trafficking and torture who have endured severe cruelty, trauma, and suffering. The foundation provides a holistic, specialized model of All Encompassing Care, addressing complex needs such as acute psychological conditions, severe physical injuries, vulnerability to exploitation, homelessness, and isolation. The team of expert therapists, doctors, and legal professionals is internationally recognized for delivering therapeutic care, medical consultations, legal protection, and practical support for community integration. Beyond direct care, the HBF shares their expertise through research, training, and advocacy, working to influence policy and support more survivors.

The asylum process is often complex and emotionally overwhelming, especially for those dealing with trauma, shame, and illness. Many do not receive adequate legal support and struggle to provide extensive evidence required to secure international protection. The Foundation's Legal Protection and Counter-Trafficking Teams play a crucial role in linking survivors and their legal representatives. The team provides specialized support, including Medico-Legal Reports that document the long-term physical and psychological impact of trauma. These reports are recognized by UK courts and the Home Office and significantly increase the likelihood of a positive asylum decision. By helping survivors secure legal status, the Foundation enables their access ofÌýessential services,Ìýeducation, and employment, facilitating integration into their communities. In 2023, the HBF provided 429 survivors withÌýlegal protection services. In 2022, 94% of cases with HBF'sÌýMedico-Legal ReportsÌýresulted in leave to remain in the UK. The Helen Bamber Foundation's work is constant, communicative, and vital, providing not just legal support but also emotional care to help survivors achieve sustained recovery and rebuild their lives.

The roles:

AllÌývolunteersÌýwill work with clients, external agencies, and HBF staff to complete legal-casework and administrative tasks. The specific tasks will vary depending on the team you are in.

Counter-Trafficking Casework Volunteer

• Entering client data into our CMS database.Ìý

• Supporting Counter-Trafficking team staff with organising and booking client appointments.Ìý

• Collating legal and other case materials, writing up clients’ chronologies and drafting letters.Ìý

• Follow up calls with clients and/or professionals involved in cases.Ìý

• Meeting remotely or in person with clients alongside Counter-Trafficking team staffÌýmembers.Ìý

• Taking clear and comprehensive notes at meetings with and about clients.Ìý

• Researching and collating key data and information for clients and the staff team.Ìý

• Attendance and minute taking at various professionals meetings.Ìý

• Administrative tasks as required by the team.Ìý

Legal Protection Volunteer

• Making phone calls to people (solicitors, health professionals, other NGOs) seeking out assistance to obtain further information about their case;ÌýÌý

• Liaising with legal representatives and other organisations and bodies;ÌýÌý

• Drafting legal summaries and preparing files for transfer to a new legal representative;ÌýÌý

• Liaising with clients about legal protection casework queries;ÌýÌý

• Onward referring to alternative local services and organisations where HBF cannot assist;ÌýÌý

• Various administrative duties as required, including making files, filing, scanning documents and archiving.ÌýÌý

Referrals Volunteer

• Accurately recording key details and documentation for all incoming referrals;Ìý

• Carefully reviewing the legal, psychological, housing and safeguarding needs of all referrals to the Foundation to determine whether the individual’s experiences and range of needs bring them within our remit;Ìý

• Liaising with external agencies (solicitors, health professionals, other NGOs) to gather further information where required;Ìý

• Liaising directly with individual survivors to follow up on outstanding information, often where English may not be a first language;Ìý

• Preparing detailed case summaries of an individual’s full range of needs in advance of the weekly multidisciplinary referrals meeting;Ìý

• Assisting with signposting to other support services for those who we are not able to accept into the Foundation;Ìý

• Contacting clients and legal representatives for updates on their legal case, preparing legal chronologies and other legal casework;Ìý

• Other administrative duties as required including, filing, scanning documents and archiving.

Training and Supervision ProvidedÌý

• HBF will provide trainingÌýon internal process management, including using HBF’s client management system, Excel, and other relevant software.Ìý
• HBF will train volunteers on interacting and supporting survivors and vulnerable individuals using a trauma-informed code of conduct.Ìý
• Counter-trafficking casework volunteers will develop a strong working knowledge of the fundamentals of the asylum and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) systems in the UK, including support available to survivors of trafficking under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contact (MSVCC).ÌýÌý
• In addition, all students will receive the CAJ Mandatory Volunteer training, which covers data protection and confidentiality, working with vulnerable clients, professional conduct and regulation, self-care, and our expectations of CAJ volunteers.

Time commitmentÌý

• 1 day per week in person at the HBF office until the end of March.Ìý

Pro Bono Skills Development Framework Ìý

The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in voluntary pro bono the opportunity to participate in theÌýProÌýBonoÌýSkillsÌýDevelopment Framework. This framework allows you to reflect on theÌýskillsÌýgained during your placement, aligned with theÌýÌýCompleting it earns you a Certificate of Commitment toÌýProÌýBono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.

Who can apply

• All LLB Students.
• LLM students.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity will open on 23 September 2024.

The deadline for submitting an applicationÌýisÌý18 October 2024 at 11:59PM. Interviews will begin on the week commencing 21ÌýOctober 2024. Please apply via the

When applying, please make sure you have completed theÌý.ÌýYou only need to complete this once per academic year.Ìý

Should you have any questions, please contact Annika Melwani atÌýannika.melwani@ucl.ac.uk.

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