Assistant Benefits Advisor
Salary £24,000 FTE (rising to £27,000 per year FTE after 1 year and completion of training)
17.5 - 21 hours per week, 6.6 weeks holiday
Remote working with occasional travel for events and meetings in West Sussex
Are you passionate about working with SEND families?
Do you have the transferable skills and qualities to train as a benefits advisor?
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join a rapidly growing caring charity with the benefits of flexible family friendly working (from home), generous holiday, pension scheme, travel expenses, laptop and phone provided.
Reaching Families was established in 2008 to empower, inform and support parent-carers and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex. We achieve this through the delivery of our services providing information, training and peer support.
Our Benefits Advice Service provides support to parents of children and young people with SEND in West Sussex applying for Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payments (PIP). Offering 1-2-1 advice sessions on the above benefits, support with claim checking of draft applications, information resources on benefits and other sources of financial support, and training workshops on DLA, PIP and Universal Credit.
We are looking to recruit a skilled and motivated Assistant Benefits Advisor to join our team
The post holder will be responsible for supporting our Benefits Advisor with the delivery of information, advice and guidance on Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to parent-carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Sussex. This is a training role with the view to promotion to Benefits Advisor following completion of training.
Person Specification (essential):
• Understanding of challenges facing parents and carers of children with SEND
• Passionate about improving the life chances of children with SEND and their parents/carers, and families
• A highly motivated self-starter with a flexible approach to working life
• A creative and strategic thinker
• Committed to professional and personal development and lifelong learning
• Ability to work independently and manage a diverse and demanding workload
• Comfortable working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Experience of using MS Office including SharePoint
• A good all-round education including GCSE’s (or equivalent) or NVQ level 2
See attached job description for details and full criteria
We welcome applications from all members of the community and value diversity in the organisation. Please contact us if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the application or interview process due to any disability or health requirements.
Closing date for applications is 12th January 2026
Interviews to be held in Littlehampton on 21st/22nd January 2026
To apply please complete the attached application form and share why you feel you fit the role and person specification (see attached documents)
Registered Charity
11 - 20
To empower, inform and support parent-carers and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December
Start Date: Early February (notice periods considered)
Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?
Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.
We are now seeking an exceptional Women’s Homelessness Lead (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.
About the Role
- This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
- Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
- Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
- Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
- Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey
- Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth
At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.
Who We’re Looking For
You will bring:
- Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
- A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
- Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
- A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos
Desirable experience includes:
- Managing accommodation-based services
- Existing Church partnerships across Surrey
Occupational Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.
What We Offer
- Salary of £37,000 – £41,000
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
- Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
- Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
- Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
- A supportive, faith-centered, values-driven culture
For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience.
Recruitment Timeline
- Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
- First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
- Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
- Start date: Early February 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
To focus on developing and encouraging community for vulnerable adults by seeking to address the risks in society of increased loneliness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.