At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide tailored welfare benefits advice and support to clients in need.
- Company: Join Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton, a leader in social welfare law advice.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, generous holiday, pension scheme, and mental health support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse applicants from local communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in delivering advice and strong interpersonal skills required.
Location: Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB)
Salary: £25,500 - £27,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent 35 hours per week (full time, Monday to Friday). This role will be hybrid (70% in office or local community, 30% remote) following completion of required training.
Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB) is a leading provider of social welfare law advice and information, supporting thousands of clients every year. The Welfare Benefits team delivers professional advice to enable clients to understand entitlements, eligibility criteria, applications, and maximise income where possible.
About you
- Experience delivering advice (preferably welfare benefits)
- Excellent interpersonal skills to engage a diverse range of clients
- Organisational skills, able to adapt, prioritise deadlines and manage competing tasks in a fast‑paced environment
- A genuine passion for continual professional development
- Empathy, compassion, resilience and the ability to use trauma‑informed approaches to meet client needs
Key elements and tasks
- Provide high quality tailored Welfare Benefits advice to clients through:
- Effective interviewing – using sensitive and questioning skills
- Offering comprehensive benefit checks, exploring and advising on eligibility
- Identifying emergency advice issues, advising/supporting on dealing with these including determining if food bank referrals are required
- Assessing if grants/one‑off support is available and advising on how to apply/support where possible
- Empowering clients to set their own priorities
- Identifying vulnerable clients who require additional support and acting on their behalf where possible
- Working closely with colleagues within the organisation and external partners to provide holistic advice and support to all clients
- Ensuring all work meets quality standards and funder requirements
- Maintaining detailed case records for continuity, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation (using national case management system Casebook)
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDI & B)
We believe inclusion is a social justice issue and particularly welcome applications from local individuals who are representative of the local communities we serve. Please complete the anonymised EDI monitoring form.
Benefits
- Flexible 35-hour working week (full time employees)
- Generous holiday entitlement – starting at 25 days per year, increasing to 30 days (in addition to bank holidays), pro‑rata for part‑time
- Additional day off for your birthday
- 5% employer contribution pension scheme
- Income protection insurance
- Access to 24/7 confidential telephone counselling and structured counselling support
- Access to online GP and telephone counselling services
- Enhanced family‑friendly leave and occupational sick leave
- Access to ‘Blue Light Card’ and other charity discount schemes
Welfare Benefits Adviser employer: Breath HR
Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its Welfare Benefits Advisers. With a flexible working model, generous holiday entitlement, and a strong commitment to employee development, CABB empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. The organisation's focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures that all employees feel valued and represented, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Benefits Adviser
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Breath HR.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Breath HR.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Breath HR.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Breath HR. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Benefits Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Breath HR. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Welfare Benefits Adviser, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Breath HR
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Breath HR. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
