Debt advisor jobs in west midlands

Welfare Benefits Advisor

Supporting Leicester South Foodbank

Job Description

Responsible for:

To assist in providing an efficient and effective Welfare Benefits service within the various foodbank hubs to assess eligibility, maximise income and review and appeal decisions as appropriate. Required to provide advice through various service delivery points, including outreach locations.

Responsible to:  Team leader, and Service Delivery Manager

Base Location:

Hours: 20 Hours per week

Term: Fixed Term until October 2026. This may be extended dependant on further funding opportunities

Salary:£13.50ph
Holidays: 25 days p.a. plus 8 days Bank Holidays pro-rated if the role is part time

Main Responsibilities: 

• Uphold the aims and principles of the Helping Hands Community Trust and the Leicester South Foodbank.
• Work within the service’s ethos and values, especially regarding equality and discrimination.
• Work within health and safety guidelines, sharing responsibility for own health and safety and that of colleagues.
• Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.
• Provide confidential, specialist, advice to clients at our main hub and in consultation with the Operational manager, outreach surgeries and venues across Leicester and Leicestershire
• Present a range of solutions, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages according to the client’s personal situation and make recommendations based on this information
• Ensure that all advice and solutions are presented in accordance with the charity’s policies and procedures and in line with AQS
• Assessing client needs through confidential interviews and hold a personal caseload
• Keeping confidential records, updates and training on our CMS (AdvicePro)
•  Adhere to our Safeguarding, confidentiality and GDPR Policies and procedures
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, policies and practices in relation to Welfare Benefits, and sharing such information to other members of the team
• Maximise benefit to clients by working closely with Money/Debt Advisors within our team.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager.
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings/annual appraisals as appropriate.
• Work to Key Performance Indicators at AQS quality standards.

 Casework

• Using the AdvicePRO database to maintain electronic case records, for the purpose of continuing casework and information retrieval. These records must be inputted onto the database immediately following the appointment to ensure the records are up to date and accurate
• Act where necessary by calculating, drafting or writing letters and producing written submissions for clients as appropriate
• Provide advice work covering the full range of Welfare Benefits law.
• Negotiate with third parties.
• Ensure income maximisation through the take up of appropriate benefits.
• Prepare paper submissions to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals and courts as appropriate.
• Assist with related problems where they are an integral part of the case and refer to other advisers or specialists as appropriate.
• Make outreach visits, where necessary and subject to resources and risk assessments.
• Provide advice and assistance to staff and volunteers across the whole range of Welfare Benefits issues.
• Ensure that all casework conforms to the AQS quality standard.

Administration:

• Make recommendations for improvements to services.
• Effectively utilise AdvicePRO for statistical recording, case recording & document production.
• Provide 1 Case study/Good news story Monthly to the line manager
• Keep up to date with policies and procedures
• Undertake appropriate training relevant to the role, including CPD Courses.

Essential:

•  English and Maths Grade C/Level 4 or above
• ·Full UK Driving License with business insurance
• Traveling across sites in Leicestershire to see clients in appointments
•  IT Confident
• Proficient in Information, Advice and Guidance to clients
• Understanding of the Welfare Benefits system, and keeping up to date with the change alerts
•  Knowledge and experience of giving competent accurate Welfare Benefits advice casework to AQS Quality Mark standards.
• Understanding the implications of Welfare Reform and the impact on clients and families
• Able to do Benefit checks, to help maximise the client’s income
• Organised and can prioritise own work, to meet targets
•  Being GDPR compliant at all times
• Active Listening skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to be professional, and considerate at all times
• Empathetic, inclusive and with reassuring attitude
• Ability to cope with stressful and emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to remain patient and calm whilst under pressure
• Have good problem solving skills.
• Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively, and a willingness to challenge

Desirable:

· Previous experience of working with the AdvicePRO CMS data base

· Ability to deliver services using video links via Microsoft Teams, and Zoom

· Ability to deliver services via social media and our interactive website