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Derbyshire County Council; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council is seeking a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer to join its Social Care Team. This specialist role supports vulnerable residents to maximise income, understand welfare entitlements, and navigate welfare and social care systems.

You will manage a complex caseload, provide expert welfare benefits advice, represent clients at appeals where required, and work with social workers and care managers to improve outcomes for residents and their independence.

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Social Care Team as a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer. This is a specialist role within a highly regarded countywide service that supports some of Derbyshire's most vulnerable residents to maximise their income, maintain independence and navigate complex welfare and social care systems.

The Social Care Team works closely with Adult Social Care, finance teams, and partner organisations to provide welfare benefits advice and casework for vulnerable adults. The team helps adults to secure their full benefit entitlement, understand how income can affect social care charges, and navigate welfare and social care systems, supporting them to maintain independence, stability, and access to the care they need.

As a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer, you will manage a complex caseload involving some of the most challenging and rewarding work. You will provide specialist welfare benefits advice, undertake detailed casework, represent clients at appeal tribunals and work collaboratively with social workers, occupational therapists, care managers and other professionals to improve outcomes for residents.

A key focus of the role is supporting clients whose lives are significantly affected by disability, illness, frailty or caring responsibilities. This includes helping people understand the interaction between welfare benefits and adult social care, supporting clients who are subject to care and support charging arrangements, and ensuring that people retain access to the income and entitlements available to them. The role also involves supporting individuals through periods of significant change, including transitions into adulthood, changes in care arrangements and moves into supported or independent living.

The successful candidate will develop specialist expertise in areas where welfare rights and adult social care intersect. Working closely with Adult Social Care and social care finance teams, you will lead the development and delivery of welfare benefits training, briefings and practical guidance for departmental colleagues. You will translate complex legislation into accessible learning, identify emerging training needs and help colleagues understand how welfare benefits can improve outcomes for vulnerable adults.