Trainee welfare benefits caseworker jobs

Senior Caseworker – Pathways

Location: Disability Action & Advice Centre, 4, Waldegrave Road, Teddington TW11 8HT

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary: £30,000 to £36,000 (depending on experience)

Ruils is run by, and for, Disabled people. We exist to remove the barriers that prevent Disabled people from living independent lives. Our vision is a society where all individuals have choice and control to live independently. We provide information, advice, advocacy, befriending and activities to our clients and their families.

Pathways is a specialised welfare advice service that provides information, advice, advocacy and representation for Disabled adults (over the age of 18) living in the Richmond Borough. We work with clients, supporting them to navigate the complex Housing, Benefits and Social Care systems. In this role, you would be providing information, guidance and advice to Disabled people and their families, enabling them to have more choice and control over their lives.

We are also part of a larger network of Disabled-led advice services. Working together, we have developed pathways for Disabled trainee case workers, collated data on Housing and Benefits issues and have fed into important consultations and campaigns.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity for you to work one-to-one with clients to effect change, whilst also having a positive impact on the wider system.

We are looking for someone who:

• Will bring experience of supporting people with complex welfare, housing or social care issues.
• Is confident advocating on behalf of clients when needed.
• Has an understanding of the welfare benefits system, disability rights and the Social Model of Disability.
• Can break down complex information so it feels clear and manageable.
• Works in a calm, methodical way, keeping accurate records.
• Is compassionate, patient and values-driven.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide timely and accurate advice on welfare benefits, housing and social care to support Disabled people to live independently.
• Analyse clients’ situations, identify solutions and guide them through complex systems, signposting where appropriate.
• Work with clients on a short to medium term basis, helping with referrals, forms, letters, appeals and navigating processes.
• Support clients to gather evidence and prepare for Benefit or Housing applications and appeals, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Attend key meetings and appeals with clients, advocating for them and helping them put their case forward confidently.
• Develop accessible information resources (guides, bulletins) to help clients navigate health, care, benefits and housing systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, contributing to forums, campaigns and shared problem-solving.
• Provide supervision and support to trainee caseworkers, including induction, case file reviews and contributing to their development.

What we can offer you:

• A vibrant and interesting work environment – every day is different.
• An experienced and supportive leadership team.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working.
• Kind and caring colleagues who work as a team.
• A cycle to work scheme.
• An employee assistance programme (EAP).

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme. We will guarantee an interview to all Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

A full Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below. To apply, please visit our recruitment page via the ‘Apply’ button

Closing date: 17 April 2026.

Interviews: 19 May 2026 (face-to-face).

This is an exciting opportunity to lead CPAG’s strategic legal work at an important time in the organisation’s fight to end child poverty. As Head of Strategic Litigation, you will oversee and carry out CPAG’s work using legal cases for positive impact, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of CPAG’s legal work, in addition to managing CPAG’s legal practice and playing an active role in conducting high-profile litigation on a day-to-day basis.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with substantial post-qualification experience. You will have experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers, and support the professional development and wellbeing of your team. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

For more information about this post and to apply download the Head of Strategic Litigation job pack and application form. 

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us.

To apply, please return to us the application form, taking particular care to provide full details of how you meet the person specification. 

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Interviews will be held at our London office: w/c 27 April 2026