At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable clients with financial advice and welfare benefits claims.
- Company: Join a leading organisation dedicated to improving lives across Sussex.
- Benefits: Health cashback scheme, interest-free loans, 25 days holiday, and free counselling services.
- Other info: Receive award-winning training and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong numeracy, communication skills, and a passion for helping others.
Location: 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 organisation’s Financial Inclusion team. As part of Southdown’s 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 in-house training.
What you’ll be doing:
- Provide Specialist Advice: Support clients with new and ongoing claims for benefits such as Universal Credit, ESA and PIP. Support clients with benefit appeals.
- Welfare Benefit Calculations: Provide benefit checks and calculations to ensure incomes are maximised and clients are reassured when looking for work.
- Advocate for Clients and Tenants: Liaise with the DWP, Housing Benefit teams and other agencies to resolve issues and ensure accurate claims.
- Facilitate Workshops and Presentations: Inform Southdown staff and clients when relevant updates are needed.
- Prevent rent arrears: Support tenants to manage their tenancies independently through budgeting and education.
- Coordinate Support: Maintain close communication with support workers and other Southdown services to provide holistic and enhanced support.
- Maintain Records: Accurately record casework in line with data protection regulations and organisational procedures.
- Safeguard Clients: Identify and report safeguarding concerns, ensuring all actions follow policy and procedure.
Perks and benefits:
- 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.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience What you’ll need for the role:
- A standard DBS check (paid for by Southdown).
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Strong numerical skills and ability to problem-solve.
- Tenacity and the ability to work through complex cases.
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills with empathy and professionalism.
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
- 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.
What would be nice:
- Strong understanding of the UK welfare benefits system and entitlement criteria.
- Experience of providing welfare benefits advice, calculations and casework.
- 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.
How to apply: Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form. Please note, should we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Welfare Benefits Advisor in Worthing employer: Southdown
At Southdown, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering comprehensive training and development opportunities for our Welfare Benefits Advisors. With competitive benefits such as health cost cash-back schemes, interest-free loans, and generous holiday allowances, we empower our team to thrive while helping vulnerable individuals navigate financial challenges across Sussex.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Benefits Advisor in Worthing
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Southdown.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Southdown.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Southdown.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Southdown. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Benefits Advisor in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Southdown. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Welfare Benefits Advisor, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southdown
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Southdown. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
