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- Tasks: Provide specialist welfare rights services and representation for vulnerable residents in Midlothian.
- Company: Join the Welfare Rights Team at Midlothian Council, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours and a competitive salary of £19,564.37 per annum.
- Why this job: Empower those in need while gaining valuable experience in welfare rights.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Sciences or Law, plus experience in welfare rights.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a transforming council environment.
The predicted salary is between 19564 - 19564 £ per year.
Overview
We are pleased to share this opportunity to join the Welfare Rights Team in Midlothian Council. We are seeking applications from a motivated welfare rights officer to provide specialist welfare rights services to some of the most vulnerable residents in Midlothian. The successful candidate will be a committed and enthusiastic individual, with up-to-date experience of welfare benefits and advice services and will have the skills and knowledge to provide representation at appeal level. The successful candidate will join a small team delivering high quality, efficient and effective Welfare Rights services in Midlothian. He/she/they will have excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills and up to date knowledge of DWP & Social Security Scotland benefits and the complexities between the two. This is a one-year fixed term post.
Responsibilities
- Provide specialist welfare rights services to residents in Midlothian.
- Provide representation at appeal level.
- Contribute to a small team delivering high quality, efficient and effective Welfare Rights services.
- Apply up-to-date knowledge of DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits and the complexities between the two.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree level qualification in Social Sciences, Law, or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g., SVQ4, or HND desirable).
- Previous experience in welfare rights activity and sound knowledge of accompanying legislation.
- Experience of working with the general public and carrying out oral appeal representation.
Contract Details
Closing date: Thursday 25th September 2025
Interview date: Thursday 9th October 2025
Job Advert
Position Title: Welfare Rights Officer
Position Number: S2243
Directorate: Health and Social Care
Contract Status: Fixed Term until 31/5/2026
Hours of Work: 18
Working Pattern: Flexible – to be confirmed with successful candidate
Weeks per year: 52
Please note that it is Midlothian Council’s policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.
Based on 18 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £19,564.37 per annum.
Requirements
This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk
Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.
Additional Information
If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.
Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.
If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
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Welfare Rights Officer - MID07035 employer: Midlothian Council
Contact Detail:
Midlothian Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Rights Officer - MID07035
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the welfare rights field or related sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits. We want you to be ready to discuss how you can tackle the complexities of welfare rights services with confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your verbal communication skills! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you articulate your experience and show off those excellent interpersonal skills we know you have.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Welfare Rights Team at Midlothian Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Rights Officer - MID07035
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in welfare rights and knowledge of DWP & Social Security Scotland benefits. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through! Share why you're motivated to work with vulnerable residents in Midlothian and how you can contribute to our team. We love seeing genuine interest in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, so we can easily see how you fit the bill for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midlothian Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits. Familiarise yourself with the complexities between the two, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in welfare rights activity. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've provided representation at appeal level and the impact it had on the residents you assisted.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent verbal communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as approachable and knowledgeable.
✨Team Player Mindset
Highlight your ability to work within a small team. Think of examples where you've contributed to team success in delivering high-quality services, as this will show that you're not just focused on individual achievements but also on collective goals.
