Benefits Advisor

Benefits Advisor

Job Title:Benefits Advisor

Scale:NJC Scale 5 £20,253 to £22,212

Reporting to:Project Coordinator

Hours of work:7.5 hours per week - 7 day cover on a 5 day rota basis

Holidays:25 days A/L plus Bank Holiday and concessionary days pro-rata

Based in:Dudley/Sandwell (and various locations in West Midlands)

Purpose of Role

•The Bridge Employment Hub is an exciting new project funded by the Big Lottery with the aim of improving the confidence of vulnerable groups and by doing so improving their employment prospects.

•Working as part of a small team, the role of the Benefits Advisoris to advise and support enquiries regarding housing benefit, DLA, ESA, tax credits and any other aspects of benefits claims including thresholds.

•With recent experience in welfare benefit casework, the successful candidate will be expected to prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals, commissioners and courts as appropriate.

Main Duties

•To facilitate a welcoming, friendly environment at all times and deliver services in a professional and customer focused manner

•To provide one-to-one support to customers; advising on housing benefit, DLA, ESA, tax credits and any other aspects or benefit claims including thresholds.

•To support customers with appeals and tribunals, with experience of preparing and presenting cases

•Ensure relevant databases are kept up to date and accurate; using data to calculate both output and outcome of services

•Produce progress reports as required and make sure that accurate information is communicated to senior management and relevant team members

•Contribute as a member of the team to local operational development and attend team meetings/events

•To promote the work of SHS and provide information to local groups as necessary

•To develop and maintain effective working relationships

•To identify barriers to individuals accessing our services and suggest solutions

•Participate in planning new areas of work and development

•Carry out any other duties as required, consistent with the post.

Generic responsibilities

•Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, regulatory and social requirements

•Ensure compliance with all Summit House Policies and Procedures

•Manage personal resources and own professional development

•Ensure all duties are carried out in a manner which promotes the Summit House Support values

•Promote a health and safety culture within the workplace, observe all health and safety rules and procedures and all attend training courses as required

•Ensure essential information of a sensitive or personal nature is not disclosed to or discussed with inappropriate persons

•All information must be maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act

•Unsociable hours/weekend working will be required

•There will be an occasional requirement for travel

•Undertake other activities as required to support the wider team

Person Specification / Essential / Desirable / Assessment
•NVQ Level 3 or 4 Information Advice & Guidance of equivalent / Y / A/I
•Minimum of 3 years providing welfare benefits advice / Y / A/I
•You will have an interest and understanding of the problems faced by vulnerable groups / Y / A/I
•You will have excellent IT and data entry skills / Y / A/I/E
•You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills / Y / A/I/E
•Able to maintain a calm attitude under pressure. / Y / A/I
•Able to communicate ideas and promote wellbeing to the client group in a sensitive, frank and open manner when discussing any aspect of support including matters such as sexual health and substance misuse. / Y / A/I/E
•Able to challenge negative attitudes and misinformation in a constructive and respectful way. / Y / A/I
•Able to work as part of a team, participating in discussions, supporting others and sharing knowledge to enhance team performance. / Y / A/I
•Ability to work on own initiative / Y / A/I

Assessed by: A = Application Form; I = Interview; E = Exercise

Key relationships

Include: Service users, Staff and volunteers, External agencies, Members of the public

The job description serves to illustrate the type and scope of the duties currently required for the above post and to provide an indication of the required level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list and duties may be varied from time to time, they will not however change the general character of the job or the level or responsibility entailed

Version 1.1 GB December 2014

Charity Reg. no: 1111309 Company no: 5494923