Welfare Officer

Mencap; Lichfield; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading support organization in the UK is looking for a Welfare Officer to provide compassionate support for learners with additional needs. This part-time role, based in Lichfield, requires collaboration with internal teams to ensure each learner's welfare and wellbeing is addressed effectively. Ideal candidates should have experience in safeguarding and pastoral care. Benefits include 32 days of paid holiday and various discounts.

Benefits

32 days of paid holiday

Discounts at leading high-street retailers

Access to health cash plans

Interest-free loans

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people in an education setting.
• Well organised & self-motivated.
• Experience of dealing with welfare issues of young people.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with delivery teams to build their skills.
• Support staff in identifying safeguarding and pastoral concerns.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Skills

Experience of dealing with mental health, safeguarding & prevent concerns

Experience of providing pastoral care & support

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of the issues facing young people

Experience of working with learners who have a learning disability

Education

Training or qualifications relating to welfare/pastoral support

Job description

At Mencap we are looking for a compassionate and proactive Welfare Officer to join our supported internships team. The focus of this role is to ensure the welfare and pastoral needs of learners on our Supported Internship are met. You'll support learners with additional needs to achieve their full potential - ensuring their welfare, wellbeing, and pastoral needs are met every step of the way.

The Welfare Officer position is part time (12 hours per week) permanent contract. You'll be providing both remote and in-person support across our Lichfield site in Staffordshire.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with delivery teams to build their skills and confidence around learner welfare, safeguarding and wellbeing across each programme.
• Work directly with learners and their families, on a 1:1 basis or as part of group sessions within local services.
• Support staff in identifying and responding to safeguarding, Prevent, and pastoral concerns.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that enables learners to succeed.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external agencies to ensure consistent, high-quality support.
• Identify learners who need additional welfare support and develop individual support plans.

Qualifications

• Experience of dealing with mental health, safeguarding & prevent concerns.
• Experience of providing pastoral care & support.
• Experience of working with learners who have a learning disability, learning difficulty or autism.
• Excellent communication skills and able to efficiently work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the issues facing young people statutory Safeguarding and Prevent Legislation.
• Experience of working with young people in an education setting.
• Well organised & self‑motivated.
• Experience to inspire learners and provide effective engagement and support strategies.
• Training or qualifications relating to welfare/pastoral support would be desirable. For example, mental health first aid, designated safeguarding lead training, etc.
• Experience of dealing with welfare issues of young people, Disability Confident.

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.

Benefits

We offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees. Our benefits package includes 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), discounts at leading high‑street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest‑free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability. At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability, providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Everyday we grow and learn. It's okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes. Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

Ready to make a difference?

If you're ready to help shape brighter futures through education, health and care planning, we'd love to hear from you.