At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals with welfare benefits and financial advice to tackle poverty.
- Company: East Ayrshire Council, committed to diversity and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work options, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Full-time role with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare rights or related fields is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 34453 - 37365 £ per year.
Deliver support, guidance and assistance to colleagues, vulnerable service users and other stakeholders in the areas of welfare benefit entitlement, income maximisation, money advice and court related casework services in order to assist with the promotion, delivery and integration of the key objectives in relation to tackling poverty within the Community Plan and Local Housing Strategy.
The duties of this post requires the successful applicant to complete a basic Disclosure Scotland application. A formal offer of employment with East Ayrshire Council will only be made once satisfactory clearance has been received. Any information that is disclosed on a basic disclosure will require to be discussed before a formal offer of employment is made.
We follow the national guidance in relation to pre-employment checks namely “Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment”. With regards to requests for references and in line with this guidance, during your application process you should provide details of a minimum of two appropriate and relevant references, one of which should be from your current or most recent employer. It is also a requirement that the reference from your current or most recent employer is from an appropriate senior manager and it is not a reference from a former peer operating at the same level.
This is a full time permanent post based at the Opera House, John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock. The work pattern is - Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. The full time salary for the post is £34,453 to £37,365 per annum. The workstyle for this post is ‘Mobile’ - 20-49% of time is office based. Able to work at home, or another location, or travel directly from home to other locations and client visits out in the field. It is the expectation that all office-based employees (with the exception of those working in schools) will work to the higher end of their allocated workstyle in terms of time spent in the office or at other work locations.
East Ayrshire Council is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from all members of the community. We encourage applicants from underrepresented groups including Black and Minority Ethnic people, disabled people and LGBT people. We are also keen to decrease occupational segregation and so encourage women to apply for managerial posts and/or roles in which they are underrepresented. East Ayrshire Council is a Disability Confident employer and a Recruit with Conviction Ambassador.
If you apply for this post, please add the following email address to your safe sender list to ensure that any MyJobScotland related e-mails go directly to your inbox - noreply@myjobscotland.gov.uk. If you require further information please contact Amy.Smith@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Welfare Rights Officer - EAY12102 in Kilmarnock employer: East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment at the Opera House in Kilmarnock. With a commitment to employee growth and development, staff enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements and a focus on tackling poverty within the community, making this role both meaningful and rewarding. The council values diversity and actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups, ensuring a rich and varied workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Rights Officer - EAY12102 in Kilmarnock
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at East Ayrshire.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from East Ayrshire!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like East Ayrshire, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at East Ayrshire or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Rights Officer - EAY12102 in Kilmarnock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to East Ayrshire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Ayrshire! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Ayrshire
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
