Advice Worker (Macmillan) in Manchester

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Closing Date: 17 February 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This Role is Subject to:

• Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy.

The Role and Responsibilities

The role provides frontline face to face advice on welfare benefits and other sources of financial help to a condition-specific, bespoke cohort of people living with cancer who are treated at three hospitals in the city: North Manchester General, Manchester Royal Infirmary & Wythenshawe Hospital. The post is 35 hours a week with external funding provided by Macmillan Cancer Support. You will be based with another Macmillan Advice Worker at MRI catering for patients from all over the Northwest region. You will assist clients to navigate all stages of the process from benefit checks and form-filling to mandatory reconsiderations and lodging appeals, which are passed to our Appeals Team to provide representation at First-tier Tribunal hearings. The post holder is one of 12 staff in Retained Advice whose purpose is to ensure citizens can access social justice by securing entitlement to the welfare benefits they need and deserve. We are a preventative service whose outcomes have both a positive quantitative and qualitative impact on residents’ lives.

You will be expected to:

• Deliver accessible and appropriate advice services from our office in MRI along with some home and ward visits to in-patients, meeting the diverse needs of service users and complying with relevant quality assurance standards.
• Work collaboratively with referrers from the hospital and community specialist nursing teams and the Macmillan Information Centre, while also responding to self-referrals from those who have used the service before.
• Conduct a robust analysis of information including Hive hospital records, take instructions and commission medical evidence to best support the client’s case.
• Maintain statistical and confidential case records to document actions and interventions, supporting continuity, progression, and quarterly reporting to the commissioning charity.
• Provide a high-quality technical support and consultancy service to a range of stakeholders.

About the Candidate

You will have:

• A strong understanding of the relevant legislation for social security benefits and administration.
• The ability to keep abreast of changes in the benefits system and precedent case law.
• A thorough knowledge of Universal Credit vs legacy benefits systems.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to persuade, advise and guide people.
• Great analytical skills with the ability to understand and summarise complex issues.
• The initiative to take independent actions while managing a high caseload.
• The ability to understand health-related concerns within the wider context of an individual’s life, family and social context.
• Sufficient resilience to cope with the role, which can be emotionally intense and demanding.

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance: Up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service.
• A buzzing pension: Enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme with life cover of three-times salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave: Enhanced family leave options to bond with a new-born or support family during critical life events.
• Perks: Discounts, holidays and days out with MCR+. Discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow: Learning opportunities, workshops, training, apprenticeships, qualifications and comprehensive onboarding.
• A Good Employment Charter member: Secure, flexible work and fairness; annual pay reviews and recognition of unions; health and wellbeing support.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave: Paid volunteering leave to give back to the community.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

We’re dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and actively welcome applications from all backgrounds, including from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the Accessibility tools on the careers page. It offers text-to-speech, translation and adjustable text size and colour.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub with specialist support and guidance for adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network for support and influence.
• A commitment to accessibility standards in information and a disability-friendly workplace.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.