Welfare And Benefit Advisor
Southdown About the role
Worthing base with travel across Sussex. Salary: £28,640 per annum. Hours: 37 per week.
Could you help change lives? Join our team and support vulnerable people to manage their money, navigate the welfare benefits system and improve their financial wellbeing. We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Welfare Benefits Advisor (known internally as a Financial Inclusion Specialist) to join the organisations Financial Inclusion team.
As part of Southdowns mental health and learning disability services across Sussex, you will provide one-to-one support to vulnerable clients experiencing benefit or financial difficulties. You will offer advice on welfare entitlements, assist with benefit claims, and work with agencies such as the DWP and local authorities. You will help clients improve their financial stability and maintain independence through guidance and advocacy, while also contributing to service improvements through feedback and ideas.
We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience such as Welfare Benefits Adviser, Benefits Officer, Money and Debt Adviser, Financial Inclusion Officer, Support Worker, Housing Officer, or Mental Health Practitioner. We also welcome applications from those who are looking for a new rewarding opportunity and have the transferable skills to support people facing financial and mental health challenges: numeracy, compassion, communication and an ability to implement our award winning inhouse training.
Provide Specialist Advice:- Support clients with new and ongoing claims for benefits such as Universal Credit, ESA and PIP.
- Support clients with benefit appeals.
- Liaise with the DWP, Housing Benefit teams and other agencies to resolve issues and ensure accurate claims.
- Support tenants to manage their tenancies independently through budgeting and education.
- Maintain close communication with support workers and other Southdown services to provide holistic and enhanced support.
- Accurately record casework in line with data protection regulations and organisational procedures.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns, ensuring all actions follow policy and procedure.
Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
A standard DBS check (paid for by Southdown).
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Confident IT user, including Microsoft Word and record management systems.
Awareness of safeguarding principles and commitment to equality and diversity.
Confidence managing risk and co-creating safety plans.
Knowledge of money advice and financial inclusion.
Familiarity with Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and supported housing.
Experience supporting people with mental health needs, including those in crisis or facing complex challenges.
Training: Our award-winning in-house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Your tasks
Support vulnerable clients with financial advice and benefit claims to improve their wellbeing.
Your profile
Experience in welfare benefits or transferable skills in support roles is a plus.
What's also included
Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, health cash-back scheme, and interest-free loans.
Tech stack & ways of working
Welfare And Benefit Advisor employer: Southdown
Southdown is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities, offering a compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the vibrant community of Worthing, our Service Manager role provides opportunities for meaningful engagement, ongoing training, and access to a range of benefits including health cost cash-back schemes and interest-free loans, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally while making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Your perspectives
Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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 Southdown.
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 Southdown!
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 Southdown, 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 Southdown or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Southdown
Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southdown! 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 Southdown
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.
