Welfare Rights Officer - Hybrid Role: Help Residents

Northumberland County Council; Blyth; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme

Job summary

Northumberland County Council is seeking a Welfare Rights Officer based at Eddie Ferguson House, Blyth, to manage a caseload of complex welfare benefit matters and provide advice to Adult Social Care staff and residents.

You will represent clients at appeal tribunals, support claims, and contribute to training and information resources, helping residents maximise their income and access the support they are entitled to.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent experience and/or qualification.
• Significant experience of welfare rights work, including appeals to Tribunal.
• Up-to-date knowledge of social security legislation and relevant case law.
• Experience of interviewing and supporting clients from a range of backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to explain complex information in a clear and accessible way.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise your workload effectively.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office and maintaining accurate case records.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality, customer-focused services.
• Experience of developing and delivering training sessions and presentations would be advantageous.
• A working knowledge of social care charging and policy would also be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of complex welfare benefit enquiries, claims, disputes and appeals.
• Providing specialist advice and support to service users, council staff and partner organisations.
• Representing clients at appeal tribunals and preparing supporting evidence.
• Interpreting complex social security legislation and communicating it clearly and accurately.
• Delivering welfare rights training, briefings and awareness sessions to staff and external partners.
• Producing and maintaining up-to-date information materials and guidance.
• Working closely with statutory, voluntary and community organisations across Northumberland.
• Supporting targeted benefit take-up initiatives to maximise residents' incomes.
• Visiting clients in their homes or other community settings where required.
• Contributing to policy development and service improvement initiatives relating to welfare rights and financial inclusion.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Microsoft Office

Interviews and client support

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Northumberland County Council is seeking a Welfare Rights Officer based at Eddie Ferguson House, Blyth, to manage a caseload of complex welfare benefit matters and provide advice to Adult Social Care staff and residents.

You will represent clients at appeal tribunals, support claims, and contribute to training and information resources, helping residents maximise their income and access the support they are entitled to.