About SSAFA - Forces Help

In grand terms, the aim of the SSAFA Forces Help is to relieve instances of need, suffering and distress amongst members and former members of all ranks of the armed forces and their families. Generally, but not exclusively, the Associations Service Support Network caters for the needs of serving personnel and their families while the Branch Network, of which the Moray and Banffshire Branch forms a part, concentrates on the ex-service community. In pursuance of the aim, branch volunteer caseworkers visit clients who have asked for our help in their own homes and offer support and practical assistance in addressing a wide range of personal and domestic problems and difficulties. Such assistance may include dealing with statutary agencies and other bodies on behalf of the client, obtaining specialist advice as circumstances dictate, sacking grants service or other benevolent funds when money is needed to solve a problem, or simply providing a listening ear when no other friend can.

Skills & Experience

The ideal caseworker has a calm, reassuring presence and a friendly manner. He/she is concerned at all times to respect the dignity of the clients, to be open and straight forward, in his/hers dealings with them. Confidentiality

Travel Details

Meetings with clients are normally held in the client's own home. Caseworkers may reclaim travelling expenses (actual cost of public transport or mileage @ 36p per mile (Oct 02 figure)). The area covered is Moray and Banffshire (pre - 1970's bounderies) but an effort is made to allocate cases to caseworkers who live within a reasonable distance.

Requirements

Application Form, Induction/Training, Informal Chat, Police Check, References

Training and Induction Details

Initial briefing is followed by "on-the-job" training, recruit "shadows" experienced caseworker and then undertakes his/her own cases with an experienced caseworker in support. He/she does no solo casework until both caseworkers and branch secretary agre