Adviser (Scotland)

Independent Age; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Learning & development

Hybrid working

Job summary

Independent Age is seeking an Adviser (Scotland) to deliver specialist information and guidance on housing and welfare benefits to older people in Scotland, their families and carers. The role includes duty service support and working within the AQS supervision framework.

The post offers full- or part-time options (35 hours or 21+ hours per week) with hybrid working, a friendly team, and opportunities for ongoing professional development within a respected charity.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of Housing or Welfare Benefits in Scotland as they relate to older people.
• Experience in high-volume advice settings and with advice supervision frameworks such as AQS.
• Knowledge of charging for Social Care is desirable and beneficial for the role.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist support to older people, families and carers on housing and welfare benefits in Scotland.
• Offer generalist level support on a range of issues through the duty service.
• Work within the AQS framework for advice supervision.

Skills

Housing knowledge

Welfare benefits

Advisory experience

AQS framework

Tools

AQS framework

Job description

Independent Age is the national charity working towards ending financial hardship in later life. Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free information and advice to older people without enough money to live on, while our external training equips professionals with the information they need to support older people on low incomes. Through our grants programme, we fund and support hundreds of local charities working with older people across the UK. We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change. We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life. We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification

This new role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing. As an Adviser (Scotland) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their enquiries relating to housing and welfare benefits in Scotland as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service. You should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Housing or Welfare Benefits in Scotland as they relate to older people. Experience of working within a high-volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework. We plan to further develop our advice offer in Scotland to cover advice around charging for Social Care, so whilst not essential, knowledge of this area, or a desire to develop will be beneficial.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 21 hours per week.

What it’s like to work at Independent Age

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all. But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.

With an employee engagement score of 98%, colleagues say Independent Age is a great place to work.

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Agehere.