Independent Living Adviser

Penderels Trust; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 16,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Investors in People: Gold Accredited

Mindful Employer

Health and Wellbeing Champions

Employee assistance programme

Corporate Health Cash Plan

Subsidised car breakdown cover

Death in service benefit

Paynow (Stream)

23 Days annual leave + Bank Holidays +

2 Additional leave days in December

Job summary

Penderels Trust is seeking an Independent Living Adviser to join the Sunderland team. The role involves advising individuals with disabilities who live independently, with a flexible hybrid model based in the office and/or home and travel across the Sunderland area.

You will manage a caseload, provide accurate information, support with care packages and direct payment accounts, and work with local authority staff.

Qualifications

• Experience providing information or advice in customer service or similar roles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with ability to adapt style for different audiences.
• Ability to manage diary and workload effectively.
• Ability to produce letters and documents to a high standard.
• Ability to input and maintain accurate data records.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible and able to meet deadlines.
• Valid driving licence and access to vehicle.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Advise individuals on all aspects of their care packages, including financial aspects.
• Support clients with direct payment accounts, including calculations and monitoring of funds.
• Manage your own caseload.
• Assist with recruitment and ongoing management of care staff.
• Provide accurate information in a clear format meeting individual needs.
• Record and maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Attend meetings/reviews with individuals, colleagues and local authority staff.

Skills

Customer service experience

Clear communication

Diary management

Letter drafting

Data entry

Team player

Deadline oriented

Driving licence

MS Office (Word/Excel/Outlook)

GCSE English & Maths

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

We are looking for someone to join our Sunderland team as an Independent Living Adviser. You will be instrumental in providing advice and information to individuals with disabilities who live independently. This is a varied role that is based in the office/home and will involve travel throughout the community in the Sunderland area.

Location: (Hybrid working) Penderels Trust, 81 Stranton, Hartlepool, TS24 7QT

Salary: £26,378 per annum / £15,684 pro rata

Hours: 22 hours per week

Working Days & Times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Tuesday 11:45 am – 5:00 pm, Friday 12:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Perks: Investors in People: Gold Accreditation / Mindful Employer / Health and Wellbeing Champions / Employee assistance programme / Corporate Health Cash Plan / Subsidised car breakdown cover / Death in service benefit / Paynow (Stream) / 23 Days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (Increased entitlement with length of service) / 2 Additional leave days in December (After 12 months’ service)

The Role of Independent Living Adviser

• Advising individuals on all aspects of their care packages, including financial aspects
• Supporting clients with their direct payment account including calculations and monitoring of funds.
• Managing your own caseload
• Supporting individuals with the recruitment and ongoing management of care staff
• Providing accurate information in a clear and concise format that meets the individual's needs
• Recording and maintaining accurate records and providing reports as required
• Organising and attending meetings/reviews with individuals, colleagues and local authority staff

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of providing information or advice to others or within a customer service environment
• The ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, adapting your style to suit the audience
• The ability to manage diary and workload effectively
• The ability to produce letters and other documents to a high standard
• The ability to input and maintain accurate data records
• The ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• The ability to work flexibly and to deadlines
• Current driving licence and unrestricted use of vehicle
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages (including Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Hold minimum GCSE Grade '4' or equivalent in English and Maths
• This post is subject to the completion of a satisfactory enhanced DBS check prior to appointment.

Interviews:

If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in the role as Independent Living Adviser. We do not offer visa sponsorship so you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. Interviews will take place via video conferencing software. Further details will be discussed with applicants who are shortlisted, you will be contacted by email (please check your junk/spam folders).

Closing date:

Thursday 24th September 2026.