Senior Welfare Benefits Officer (2 posts)

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave Scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training and Development

Wellbeing Support Framework

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council's Welfare Rights Service is seeking a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer for the Advice Line and Appeals Team. You will provide high-quality information, advice, and advocacy on welfare benefits issues, prepare submissions, negotiate with decision makers, and represent clients at appeal tribunals.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered; travel across Derbyshire could be required.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of welfare benefits advice, casework and appeal representation.
• Strong understanding of social security legislation and case law.
• Experience representing clients at Social Security Tribunals.
• Experience preparing Upper Tribunal challenges and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality information, advice and advocacy across welfare benefits issues.
• Prepare written submissions, negotiate with decision makers and represent clients at appeal tribunals.
• Support wider development of the service; mentor less experienced staff and share expertise.
• Travel across Derbyshire as required and contribute to service improvement activities.

Job description

Senior Welfare Benefits Officer (Advice Line and Appeals Team)

Closing date: 20 September 2026

Derbyshire County Council's Welfare Rights Service helps Derbyshire residents maximise their income, access the benefits they are entitled to, and receive expert advice and representation when they need it most. In 2025/26, the service supported more than 20,000 Derbyshire residents with benefit enquiries, providing information, advice, casework, and appeal representation.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Advice Line and Appeals Team as a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer. This is a specialist role within a respected countywide service that helps residents navigate an increasingly complex welfare benefits system and secure the support to which they are entitled.

The Advice Line and Appeals Team provides the public-facing gateway to the Welfare Rights Service, supporting residents through telephone advice, complex casework, and appeal representation. The team manages referrals from a range of partners and plays a leading role in representing clients at Social Security Tribunals and supporting challenges through to the Upper Tribunal where appropriate.

As a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer, you will be providing high-quality information, advice, and advocacy across a broad range of welfare benefits issues. You will prepare written submissions, negotiate with decision makers, and represent clients at appeal tribunals, helping some of Derbyshire's most vulnerable residents maximise their income and achieve the best possible outcomes.

You will also play an important role in supporting the wider development of the service. Senior Welfare Benefits Officers are expected to maintain specialist expertise in welfare benefits legislation and case law, provide updates and guidance to colleagues, mentor less experienced staff, and contribute to service improvement activities. The role offers the opportunity to develop recognised expertise in a specialist area of social security law whilst continuing to work directly with clients.

We are looking for someone with substantial experience of welfare benefits advice, casework and appeal representation. You will have a strong understanding of social security legislation, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and experience of representing clients at Social Security Tribunals. Experience of preparing Upper Tribunal challenges, mentoring colleagues, and managing a range of complex enquiries will be particularly valuable.

This role would suit an experienced adviser who enjoys analysing complex legislation, developing persuasive arguments, problem solving, and making a tangible difference to people's lives through expert advice and representation. You will join a supportive and highly skilled team with a strong reputation for delivering excellent outcomes for Derbyshire residents.

Please refer to the Job and Person Profile for full details of the knowledge, skills and experience required. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate clearly within their suitability how they meet each of the essential criteria.

Travel across Derbyshire may be required as part of the role. Hybrid working arrangements will be considered subject to service need.

Employees have access to a range of support, benefits and discounts including:

• Generous Annual Leave Scheme 27 days annual leave per year (rising to 32 days after 5 years continuous service) plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata). Grade dependant.
• Local Government Pension Scheme: Providing financial security
• Supportive management and team
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional qualifications and ongoing training.
• Wellbeing Support Framework: Includes OH physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling.
• Employee Wellbeing Support: Fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, Employee Assistance Programme, and “Wisdom” app.
• Paid travel expenses if required to travel to other sites (Terms and conditions apply)
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards: a package of benefits, cashback and discounts.

More details on the benefits of working for the council can be found on our reward and recognition page

For more information about the role or an informal chat, please email [e-mail]

Provisional Interview Date: W/C 28 September 2026