Welfare Benefits Advisor

Description

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 inhouse 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