Job Title: Welfare Benefits Advisor
Salary: £26,339 per annum plus 8% pension (FTE)
Responsible for: N/A
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Negotiable Full-time or Part-time
Location: Sefton Carers Centre
Job Purpose
- Providing targeted advice to carers and their families, enabling them to access benefits, maximise their income and checking that carers are getting the right income and benefits.
- To assist with the completion of benefits claims, possible appeals and reviews.
- Advise, assist, and support carers who could benefit from welfare benefit advice in accordance with agreed procedures, policies and good practice. To complete applications for benefits with carers in their own homes, when required and approved.
- Develop a caseload and maintain detailed, up to date and confidential case notes and supporting documentation for the purpose of information retrieval and continuity of casework.
- To enable carers to appeal or challenge welfare benefit decisions and to support them in such processes if applicable to organisation policies and procedures.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1. To work and liaise with other team members, to share information and to support best practice.
2. To refer carers to other colleagues /services to assist in meeting any identified needs and liaise and negotiate with relevant agencies.
3. Provide relevant and appropriate data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluation and produce written monthly reports to the Line Manager in line with requirements.
4. To engage in relevant training and maintain up to date knowledge of the benefit system, case law and the effects of the welfare reform and relevant changes.
5. Work collaboratively with other colleagues in the team and wider organisation to enhance the services provided.
6.Undertake any other reasonable duty consistent with the operation of the service required by the manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Any recognised qualification in a relevant field such as youth work, community work, education, health, social care, careers, counselling, or therapeutic services.
Experience
Relevant experience of providing welfare rights advice to clients, working in a related field.
Knowledge
Ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of key issues connected with claiming benefits, the review and appeal processes, legislative change and be able to connect and disseminate information about same.
An understanding of relevant welfare benefits legislation, including the review and appeal process.
An understanding of statutory social and health care services, including the Care Act (2014).
Awareness of Health and Safety at Work Legislation and its requirements.
Skills and Abilities
Ability to write clear and concise reports and keep accurate case records.
Proficient in the use of Information Technology, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel as well as Databases.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong organisational skills.
An imaginative and committed approach to the development of the service and quality assurance.
Ability to maintain accurate records, in compliance with the Data Protection Act (2018).
Personal Attributes
An understanding of and empathy with people and their problems, together with a positive and non-judgemental attitude towards claimants.
Able to demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
Ability to liaise at all levels.
Commitment to continually develop and update professional knowledge.
All staff are required to respect the confidentiality of all matters they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff and the general public.
All staff are expected to adhere to the regulations regarding the Data Protection Act (2018) in accordance with the Carers Centre's policies and procedures.
The postholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. Some duties may be subject to variation changes and will only be made after consultation with the postholder. Working at Sefton Carers Centre requires flexibility, and your hours of work may be subject to change, dependent on the needs of the business. This may include a split between office-based and home working and may occasionally require you to alter your working pattern.
Employees are required to comply with the data protection, health and safety and safeguarding protocols and all further procedures of Sefton Carers Centre. Employees are required to comply with Sefton Carers Centre's policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity. Employees are required to maintain confidentiality of all information and records relating to the work of the project and Sefton Carers Centre.
Employees are required to participate in regular supervision, appraisal, and personal and staff development planning sessions, as required.
Other Benefits and Terms of Employment
- A group pension scheme, comprising 8% employer contribution of gross salary.
- Bupa Wellbeing Cash Plan: Access to a comprehensive healthcare plan that lets you claim back costs for dental bills, new glasses, therapy treatments, and private specialist consultations (up to your annual limit). Free coverage is also extended to your children until they turn 24, provided they reside in the UK.
- 27 days Annual Leave entitlement per year, in addition to the 8 Statutory Public Holidays (pro-rated for part-time employees). This entitlement increases after 5 years of service as below:
Complete years of service
Additional days holiday in a complete holiday year
Total annual entitlement in a complete holiday year
5 years of service
2 days
29 days
7 years of service
1 day
30 days
9 years of service
1 day
31 days
10 years of service
1 day
32 days
15 years of service
2 days
34 days
20 years of service
3 days
37 days
Pre-Employment Screening
An unconditional offer of employment will be made to the successful candidate, subject to successful completion of the following pre‑employment screening checks:
- Evidence of a satisfactory Enhanced Certificate of Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure Barring Service*
- Evidence to confirm the candidate’s right to work in the UK.
- Receipt of two references, satisfactory to Sefton Carers Centre.
- Satisfactory responses to enquiries about the successful candidate’s health or to a satisfactory medical to establish any health issues that may impact on the candidate’s ability to carry out the intrinsic duties in the role (e.g., whether a candidate for a job as a scaffolder is able to work at heights).
*This security check is only required for some of our job roles, candidates will be advised if this is necessary when receiving a conditional job offer
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