Benefits Advisor

Integrated Care System; Winsford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Une opportunité passionnante pour rejoindre l'équipe d'un hospice, offrant des conseils sur les prestations de welfare et un soutien aux personnes vivant avec une maladie potentiellement mortelle. Le candidat idéal fera preuve de motivation et de compétences en communication afin de faciliter l'accès aux aides financières pour les patients et leurs familles. Ce rôle exige une approche proactive pour établir des relations et une connaissance approfondie du système des prestations, garantissant que le soutien est adapté aux besoins des clients.

Qualifications

• Expérience dans le travail avec des groupes vulnérables.
• Connaissance des systèmes de welfare au Royaume-Uni.
• Capacité à gérer des cas complexes.

Responsibilities

• Fournir des conseils sur les prestations de welfare.
• Évaluer les besoins des clients et effectuer des vérifications des prestations.
• Accompagner les clients dans la préparation d'applications pour des aides financières.

Skills

Communication efficace

Capacité d'écoute

Empowerment des clients

Education

Formation en welfare benefits

Formation en soins palliatifs / fin de vie

Tools

Systèmes de gestion de cas

Job description

Hereis an opportunity for somebody friendly, approachable and with a passion forperson-centred care and support to join our team. This role involves the provisionand execution of welfare benefit advice, casework, and assistance in accessingother financial sources to maximise the income of those living with alife-threatening illness, as well as their families and carers. The successfulcandidate will need to be motivated, organised, have excellent communicationskills and sound working knowledge and experience in the application ofstatutory duties such as Safeguarding and Data Protection. You will be buildingrelationships with people accessing our service; ensuring effective support isgiven at all times and that the burden of navigating the welfare benefitssystem is alleviated where possible.

Main duties of the job

To assess the needs of those referred to theservice and provide a full income maximisation service for people withlife-limiting illnesses and their families, whilst minimising administrativeburden for those accessing the service where necessary. The role will involveundertaking ongoing casework where needed, and assisting and empowering clientsto access their entitlements to welfare benefits and other sources of financialhelp to maximise their income. This service is accessible to individuals livingwith life-limiting illness, and their families and carers. The successfulcandidate will also provide advice on related services and support available,including applying for individual grants, Blue Badges, and identifying the needfor referral to specialist advice and support across a range of subject areas,for example.

The servicewill be delivered in settings appropriate to the client group including theHospice, outreaches and home visits where necessary and appropriate.

About us

St Lukes is an adult hospice based in Winsford thatcares for people in mid and south Cheshire who are living with a diagnosis of canceror other life-limiting illnesses. We offer specialist treatment, care, adviceand support to many seriously ill people and their families every year. We area small hospice with a big heart whose ethos, values and beliefs are core toeverything we do. If you feel the same way wed love to hear from you.

St Lukes is committedto equality and diversity and promotes an inclusive working environment. Weencourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of age, disability, sex, genderreassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion orbelief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Weare also happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during therecruitment process.

Pleasenote this position may involve coming into contact with vulnerable adults andor children. We are committed toproviding safeguarding training within induction period.

We do not hold a sponsorshiplicense. The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right towork in the UK.

Job responsibilities

KeyTasks and Responsibilities

Deliverspecialist advice on a full range of welfare benefits including UniversalCredit (UC), Personal Independent Payment (PIP), Employment and SupportAllowance (ESA) and others.

Carry outcomprehensive benefit checks to identify potential entitlements.

Supportpeople to complete their applications and gather necessary evidence in relationto this.

Assistclients to challenge benefits decisions; including preparation and submissionof mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.

Representclients at benefit tribunals, where appropriate.

Advocate onbehalf of clients with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), localauthorities and other relevant and appropriate agencies to progress theclients case, and ensure they receive all assistance available.

Assistclients in accessing and applying for other sources of financial support, forexample grants and help with health and travel costs.

Maintainaccurate and detailed electronic case records and other statistics for thepurpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval and statisticalmonitoring and report preparation.

Refer orsignpost clients on to colleagues or other agencies as appropriate forspecialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the service,including housing, debt, and employment.

Provideadvice, information, and benefits awareness training to colleagues and otherhealth and social care professionals working with the client group.

Refer clientsand/or those close to them to other appropriate hospice services, following athorough assessment of need and consultation with the appropriate HealthcareProfessionals.

Work in aculturally competent and sensitive manner.

Servicedesign and development

To continuebuilding on the success of the service, ensuring the development of key aspectsincluding its associated processes and procedures.

Develop andmaintain effective admin systems and records relevant to the role.

Work to settargets and deadlines and escalate any risks or issues that impact delivery ofthe service or meeting the target.

Carry outother tasks within the scope of the post to ensure effective delivery and ongoingdevelopment of the service.

General

Keeptechnical knowledge up to date; identify your own learning and developmentneeds and in collaboration with the Family Support Team Leader, take steps toensure that these are addressed. Similarly, to keep up to date with welfarelegislation, case law, and government policy changes relevant to the role.

Ensure thatwork reflects and supports the St Lukes Cheshire Hospice's vision andstrategic aims.

Attendregular internal and external meetings relevant to the role (staff, team etc).

Attendregular external supervision that facilitates and ensures the delivery of soundtechnical advice and support.

Workcooperatively with colleagues and encourage good teamwork, clear lines ofcommunication and common practices within the team.

Abide byhealth and safety guidelines and share responsibility for your own health andsafety, and that of colleagues.

Participatein the training and support of volunteers who can help deliver aspects of theservice.

Maintain anopenness and willingness to support colleagues insights into the serviceoffer, through informal information sessions, staff inductions and otherappropriate ad-hoc requests.

Carry out anyother tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery andongoing development of the service.

Servicedelivery channels:

Telephone,face to face, email and video call depending on client need and resources.

Health & Safety & Security

Under health and safety legislation,each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for thehealth and safety of others and to co-operate in maintaining their place ofwork in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. The Hospice has aHealth & Safety Policy which applies to all staff.

Similarly, it is each personsresponsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches ofsecurity to the attention of their manager.

St LukesCheshire Hospice has given its full commitment to the adoption and promotion ofthe key principles of equal opportunities contained within current legislationand St Lukes Cheshire Hospice Equality & Diversity Policy.

Confidentiality

In the course ofyour duties, you will have access to confidential material about patients, membersof staff, volunteers and other hospice business. The Hospice has a Data Protection Policy,which applies to all staff. The upholding of Information Governance principleswill be an ongoing commitment and responsibility of the post-holder.

St LukesCheshire Hospice iscommitted to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share inthis commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware ofspecific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves withthe Hospice Safeguarding Policies. Safeguarding training is mandatory for allstaff.

This job description may vary from time to timeaccording to the needs of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice.

This job description is not exhaustive and issubject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to futurechanges/developments in the service.

Person Specification

Skills and Aptitudes

• Willingness to participate in opportunities for training and professional development.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on advocacy, negotiating, representing, and preparing reports and correspondence.
• Ability to empower clients through provision of information, advice, and casework to help improve people's quality of life.
• Ability to produce reports and statistics.
• Ability to maintain and operate administrative systems within the requirements of St Lukes Cheshire Hospice.
• Ability to make clear and concise case records using a computerised case recording system.
• An ordered approach to casework and an ability and willingness to follow set procedures concerning casework and file management.
• Ability to deal with emotionally difficult situations with tact and sensitivity.
• Ability to support people in person and by remote access, with offers designed appropriately for patients, staff or other groups.

Experience

• Proven experience of managing complex casework, carrying out comprehensive benefit checks and assisting and supporting clients throughout journey.
• Experience of working autonomously and taking responsibility to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Experience of listening and questioning with an ability to manage challenging situations in a calm, sensitive and effective manner.
• Experience of liaising effectively with a wide variety of service-users and professionals.
• Experience working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
• Previous experience in a health care setting.
• Experience of representing a client at tribunals.
• Experience delivering outreach services and home visits.
• Experience of delivering education and training to professionals.
• Experience of guiding and mentoring volunteers.

Job Related Knowledge

• Proficiency in use of case management systems.
• Competent in using other IT systems for the purpose of communication and reporting.
• An understanding of the issues facing people affected by life-limiting illness and disability.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to gain an understanding of services, which are relevant to people living with life-limiting illness and their families.

Other Requirements

• A full, clean driving licence and access to own transport (Please note: This requirement will be waived if you are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Ability to work occasional unsociable hours (e.g. attend evening meetings).
• Commitment to the development of equal opportunities.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of the UK welfare benefits system and relevant legislation.
• Recent experience of delivering specialist welfare benefits advice.
• Completion of Citizens Advice basic training programme or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to the post.
• Training in concepts relating to palliative and end of life care, or willingness to undertake.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.