At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise and assist individuals in accessing benefits and financial help.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, free refreshments, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a friendly work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others navigate their financial challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in welfare benefits and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36778 - 43973 £ per year.
Benefits Advisor - West London
Application Deadline
Department
Programme
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
West London Centre
Reporting To
Sinead Cope
Compensation
Description
As Benefits Advisor, you will advise and assist people to access available benefits and other sources of financial help.
This support may be provided on a ‘drop in’ basis and through a programme of booked appointments.
You will be responsible for liaising with other statutory and voluntary bodies as required.
You will also have responsibility for creating the conditions for maintaining ongoing relationships with people accessing the centre, and in collaboration with colleagues for enabling people to access all aspects of Maggie’s programme to ensure ongoing and effective cancer support.
Please note that interviews will be held on Wednesday 12th August in Maggie's West London.
Key responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive advice on benefits using a variety of different mechanisms.
- Assist in the completion of benefits claims, maximising an individual’s income.
- Promote and develop benefits advice as a component of Maggie’s programme including participation in teaching and training programmes.
- Recording and maintaining up to date records and reporting of activity data in relation to own activity as required by Maggie’s policies and procedures.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant external agencies, signposting where appropriate and being able to develop beneficial working relationships.
- Responsible for recording data in relation to their own work in accordance with Maggie’s policies and procedures, and will contribute to Maggie’s programme of annual audit, centre review and triennial review.
- Follow up claims for disability benefits and any further benefits triggered by an award.
- Negotiate with statutory bodies, ensuring that people are supported through this process.
- Ensure that centre visitors feel welcome and valued as individuals, and that they feel their concerns have been heard and understood; creating the conditions for ongoing relationships with other members of the team facilitating exploration of what Maggie’s programme may have to offer.
- Contribute to raising awareness of and enabling access to Maggie’s Centres.
- Contribute to centre specific or other specific audits as required.
- Support Maggies Centre Head in ensuring that Maggie’s environment is maintained as a welcoming atmosphere.
- Participate in staff support sessions, meetings with the Centre Head and supervision meetings, and staff training as required.
- Maintenance of statistical information and accurate case records.
- Administration and follow up to benefits advice and the submission of claims.
- Assist Maggie’s Centre Head with centre administration as required.
- Occasional overnight stays and some travel will be required along with some evening and unsociable hours working
Skills, knowledge and expertise
- Degree educated in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- At least 2 year’s experience in providing welfare benefits and money advice.
- The ability to think about and understand health related concerns within the wider context of an individual‘s life experience, family and social context.
- A warm, empathetic manner with excellent communication and listening skills.
- Able to write clear and concise reports.
- Job benefits
- You’ll spend time at one of our incredible centres to experience our programme of support and see first‑hand the difference we can make.
- A structured orientation week will cover everything you need to get settled in your new role.
- Holiday entitlement that helps you create a manageable work life balance.
- Generous sick leave cover.
- A supportive and friendly working environment.
- Tailored learning and development opportunities.
- Kitchen facilities with free tea, coffee and fruit bowl.
- Workplace pension and free financial advice from an independent financial advisor to help you plan for your future.
- Option to keep a pre-existing NHS pension if eligible.
- Travel and cycle loans.
- Eye test expenses and money towards glasses.
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Our buddy system links you with a colleague to give you extra support in your first few months.
- Facilitated stress management courses and access to our clinical psychologists for support.
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Benefits Advisor - West London employer: Maggie's
Maggie's is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As the North & North Wales Regional Fundraising Lead, you will have the opportunity to lead a passionate team while making a meaningful impact in the community through innovative fundraising initiatives. With generous benefits such as sick leave and tailored growth opportunities, Maggie's fosters an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Benefits Advisor - West London
✨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 Maggie's.
✨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 Maggie's!
✨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 Maggie's, 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 Maggie's 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 Benefits Advisor - West London
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 Maggie's:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Maggie's! 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 Maggie's
✨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.
