At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide welfare advice and advocacy to support torture survivors in realising their rights.
- Company: Join Freedom from Torture, a leading human rights organisation dedicated to rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 30 days annual leave, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to human rights and social justice.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by helping vulnerable clients navigate complex welfare systems.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare advocacy and knowledge of benefits for asylum seekers and refugees.
The predicted salary is between 34220 - 39696 £ per year.
Contract: Full Time (35 hours per week), Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Manchester
Starting salary: £34,220 per annum
Closing date: 16.08.2026
Expected date of interviews: w/c 31.08.2026
Job ref: VA795
We have an exciting opportunity for a welfare advisor based within our Legal Advice and Welfare Services (LAWS) team.
About the role
Do you want to use your extensive welfare benefits and/or asylum support experience to help torture survivors realise their welfare rights and entitlements? Freedom from Torture is a human rights organisation that provides rehabilitation to survivors of torture. We are looking for someone who shares our passion for human rights to join our team in Manchester.
The Welfare Advisor works within the holistic rehabilitation model of Freedom from Torture and provides welfare advice and advocacy to our clients, forming part of a multi-disciplinary team. You will receive, process and manage welfare referrals, and act as a point of contact on welfare issues primarily for the Manchester centre, and to a smaller degree, the Scotland Centre. This role requires careful and sensitive delivery of complex welfare information and advice, often to very vulnerable clients. You must have in-depth knowledge of the welfare rights and benefits available to asylum seekers and/or refugees. This may include completing Section 4 applications, or appealing negative benefits decisions on health or vulnerability grounds.
About you
- Experience of working within a similar role providing advocacy on a range of welfare issues to include housing, welfare benefits and Asylum Support
- Extensive experience of working within the benefits system, including the application, assessment and appeals procedures
- Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers and an understanding of the needs of this group and the associated support services and mechanisms available
- Experience of liaising with external agencies and government bodies to ensure that service users are given access to their available welfare rights and entitlements.
At interview you will need to demonstrate your ability to identify welfare needs and provide appropriate advice and recommendations. You will be given a case study to work through and you will be asked to share your analysis and plan with us.
In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement, and 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution). Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality. Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £34,220 - £39,696.
Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.
Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK. We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.
Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references. Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. No agencies please.
Welfare Advisor in Manchester employer: FREEDOM FROM TORTURE
Freedom from Torture is an award-winning charity dedicated to supporting survivors of torture, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises wellbeing and employee engagement. With a strong commitment to professional growth, employees benefit from generous annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and flexible working opportunities, all while contributing to meaningful change in the lives of those affected by human rights abuses. Located in Finsbury Park, London, this role provides a unique opportunity to be part of a passionate team driving impactful initiatives within the refugee sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Advisor in Manchester
✨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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE.
✨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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE!
✨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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE, 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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE 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 Advisor in Manchester
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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to FREEDOM FROM TORTURE! 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 FREEDOM FROM TORTURE
✨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.
