Volunteer Carers Welfare Benefits Advisor Jobs in London, Greater London
Age UK East London are recruiting a Welfare Benefits Advisor to join our growing information and advice team. We support thousands of people a year to maximise their income, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that they understand their rights and entitlements.
We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being. Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.
Job description
Job Purpose
• To provide Information, advice and support to clients enabling them to remain independent in their own homes.
• To work with the Advice Service to deliver and maintain excellent services to AQS standard.
• To provide home visits and office appointments, delivering advice via a variety of channels such as phone, video call and face to face.
• To work with clients to deliver holistic support that promotes wellbeing, independence that reduces health inequality and poverty.
Key Tasks
• To provide quality-assured independent advice and casework support to adults across East London.
• To maintain accurate case records in line with all relevant legislation and quality assurance benchmarks.
• To conduct welfare benefit calculations and advise accurately on entitlements.
• To complete applications for welfare benefits and grants etc.
• To support people to understand their rights and challenge decisions made against them such as welfare benefit appeals to first tier tribunal.
• To deliver a holistic, person-centred and strength-based service focussed on independence and wellbeing.
• To support service data input to support the service with evaluation and monitoring KPI’s.
• To keep up to date knowledge of welfare benefit, Housing and Social Care policy and legalisation.
• To support the service to be flexible and responsive to change and community need.
• To train and mentor volunteers.
General
• To meetregularlywith linemanagerforsupport,supervision and appraisal.
• To attend team and staff meetings, committee meetings, partnership, network forums and monitoring meetings as required.
• To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required fromtime to time forthe continued smooth running of Age UK East London.
• To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.
• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK East London’s policies and procedures including: EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding VulnerableAdults.
Functional Links
• The role reports to the Information & Advice Team Leader
• Close working with the Advocacy Service.
• Close working with GP’s, Outreach Venues, Hospital Ward Staff.
• Close working with the Advice Providers Network in Hackney.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
People living with Parkinson's value the services and opportunities Parkinson’s UK provides, delivered by committed and skilled colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations. Following an investment of 1.5 million we have the opportunity to build on the quality and reach of our community services.
About the role
You’ll empower your clients to take actions for themselves or will advocate on their behalf for better service, support and outcomes, so they can live their life with Parkinson's in the way they choose.
You’ll deliver tailored information and support through a range of channels including telephone, video and email and, where appropriate, home visits and in community settings.
You’ll be responsible for building excellent relationships with healthcare professionals and other relevant agencies, as well as our network of volunteers and groups.
What you'll do:
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Provide professional person centred, in depth support to clients by a range of means, ensuring the most efficient and effective use of resources.
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Provide support on a variety of health and social care issues, including appropriate emotional, employment and welfare benefits support and advocating with and on behalf of clients.
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Work flexibly across the service responding to enquiries through a range of channels.
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Work closely with clinicians, specialist nurses and other professional colleagues to raise the profile of the service, increase depth of support and achieve improved outcomes for people with Parkinson’s.
What you'll bring:
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Experience of managing and delivering individual case work, including advocating for clients and supporting people to navigate the health and social care system
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Experience and understanding of safeguarding and your role in keeping clients safe and implementing organisational policies and procedure
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Ability to be calm and use emotional intelligence in challenging casework
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Demonstrable digital competence, with experience of effective use of a range of tools including online case management systems
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The ability to build effective working relationships with others including working within multi disciplinary teams internally and externally
You must live in the area you’re applying for in order to carry out this role.
Please apply by sending us your CV, together with supporting statements. The supporting statement should fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the role description.
We are operating rolling recruitment for this vacancy and reviewing applications as they are received. We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The successful candidate will be required to:
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live in the area specified, and be able to travel freely and flexibly throughout the area and occasionally further afield without reliance on public transport
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Preferably hold a full driving licence
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provide occasional cover on Saturdays and/or Bank holidays
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provide their own broadband service with a minimum download speed of 2Mb
This role will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You’ll be required to apply for one; refusal to do so will result in the offer being withdrawn.
Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The role
As Welfare Officer you will work alongside four National Support Coordinators, ensuring our members receive welfare and benefit related information, advice, and guidance via telephone, zoom meetings, and email.
We are looking for someone to work 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. There will be the need to occasionally work during weekends and evenings and therefore there is a need to work flexibly when required.
Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a similar role.
A keen interest in or a knowledge/experience of charitable support provision is essential.
We are a looking for an innovative self-starter to join our small national team of 16 staff. You must be an excellent communicator, with experience of using databases, ability to meet deadlines and work on your own initiative. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we?
Myaware is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to the care and support of people affected by myasthenia.
We are working hard to raise awareness, as it is a little-unknown condition. We provide support for people with myasthenia and their families, whilst offering advice and tips for living with the illness.
We also fund the research that brings us closer to finding a cure as well as funding specialists nurses and advisors.
Members of myaware have full access to a wide range of support services and events including access to specialist welfare and benefits advice.
Myaware supports people with myasthenia and their families. We campaign for better medical services for people with myasthenia and work to inform medical professionals.
The myasthenia’s are a group of neuromuscular conditions. They are rare but also manageable and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Myasthenia gravis, ocular myasthenia, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome are autoimmune conditions whereas congenital myasthenic syndrome is caused by an inherited genetic fault. It is thought that there are approximately 20,000 people currently living with myasthenia in the UK.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance
- Perkbox account (global benefits and rewards platform)
- Group Life Assurance after 6 months of service
- NEST workplace pension scheme
- Investment in your personal and professional development
Only applicants with a tailored covering letter will be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Purpose: To develop and manage, to a high standard, Age UK Bromley & Greenwich’s Information and Advice Service. To be responsible for the effective delivery of the I&A Service which will be delivered through a range of channels, including face to face, telephone, email, digital, and other means, across the Bromley and Greenwich boroughs.
Key Responsibilities:
Line management and supervision
- Provide line management and supervision to advisers and support staff.
- Supervising team advice sessions and casework
- Manage the practicalities of the advice session and ensure adequate staffing and resources.
- Undertake monthly supervision with individual team members and annual appraisal.
- Ensure referrals are actioned and clients are supported in a timely manner.
- Develop team competence in key advice areas. (Benefits, Housing, Social care)
- Provide technical support to advisers and identify areas of further development for individuals and the team.
Support learning and development
- Support the team to embrace continuous learning and development and provide timely feedback on cases reviewed.
- Make recommendations for staff training and development areas of need.
Staff recruitment and development
- Create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well-managed, dignity at work is upheld and everyone can do their best.
- Participate in recruitment and selection activities as delegated.
- Undertake new staff induction.
- Ensure the team receive appropriate support, supervision and appraisal and have opportunities for continuous learning and development.
Quality assurance and reporting
- Undertake Independent File Reviews ( IFR) and monitor the quality to meet quality standards and service level agreements
- Maintain and develop QAS/ AQS standards incl. renewal process.
- Ensure remedial and developmental issues are identified and acted on to develop individuals, improve the quality of advice, and ensure clients do not suffer detriment due to poor or inadequate advice.
- Keep technical knowledge up to date and provide technical support to advisers.
- Maintain a case load as demonstration of ongoing personal development and learning.
- Undertake advice work as required e.g. during staff absences.
- Provide statistical reports on outputs and outcomes as required by funders and management
- Review and implement outcome measures for the work of the I&A team, including an annual survey of clients.
Partnership working and development
- To manage networking/ liaison with other local key stakeholders and organisations and feed into wider local engagement and community development work.
- Develop effective partner relationships with referral agencies across both boroughs, and to refer/ signpost cases to external agencies as appropriate.
- Represent the organisation at outreach and community events as required, continuing to raise the organisational profile and develop wider awareness of our services.
- Work with colleagues to develop marketing materials, give talks and presentations, identify outreach opportunities .
- Identify opportunities to develop and grow the wider information and advice service
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £15,593 per annum + £450 Home Working Allowance per annum
Hours - 21 Hours per week - 3 days
Contract:- Permanent Role
Location: Home-based in the North-East, able to travel throughout the region to visit and offer support to children and families in Teesside, Darlington, County Durham, Sunderland, Tyneside and Northumberland.
As a ‘not for profit’ organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and looks to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work-life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.
As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest in unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding TACT Education Service and our new Health Service. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma-informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.
TACT achieved 16th place in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results in 2023, with 91% of employees acknowledging that the organisation is run on strong values and principles and 94% stating they feel proud to work for this organisation.
If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.
Overall Duties of the role will include:
- Being an accessible point of contact for the children living with our carers and to our young people, keeping them up to date with the facilities and opportunities available with TACT
- Providing support to children with emotional welfare and mental health needs
- Supporting interventions and activities to ensure stable placement arrangements
- Being able to transport children and young people to events, appointments and meetings (mileage reimbursed)
- Organising and participating in virtual and face-to-face events and occasional residential meet-ups
- Managing all paperwork associated with events and activities
- Willingness to work flexibly, according to deadlines and needs of our families which may include some after-school, evening and weekend work
- Undertaking trauma-informed direct work with children and young people
The successful candidate must also be willing and able to travel to the Yorkshire area quarterly for face-to-face team meetings, training, and wellbeing events with the potential for occasional travel to other areas around the UK to facilitate children's residential stays.
The TACT Yorkshire and North East team are also currently recruiting for a part-time (14 hours per week) Family Finder position, which is advertised separately. We would welcome applications from candidates who feel able to meet the requirements of both posts and would be interested in full-time employment (35 hours per week) with a combined role comprising both posts.
TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:
- 31 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
- Family friendly policies.
- Homeworking ‘bundle’ including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
- Perkbox – retail discount scheme.
- Stakeholder pension scheme (salary sacrifice).
- Fantastic learning and development opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions).
- TACT is a home based workforce. We recognise the benefits that flexible home working creates for both the employer and the employee.
As a remote working organisation, we are committed to working with our staff to enable consistent inclusion and engagement across the organisation to ensure the optimum standards of service for our carers and children.
An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.
Closing Date: Friday, 26th April 2024
Interview Date: Thursday 9th May 2024 (via teams)
Safeguarding is everyone’s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT’s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT’s young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT’s safeguarding policies.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Public Affairs and Policy Manager will play a crucial role in helping to determine and shape TMs policy goals and how best to achieve them. Working closely and collaboratively with colleagues from across the organisation, and in close consultation with the TMs internal and external stakeholder groups and networks you will develop policy, research and campaigning projects to meet the organisations strategic objectives. You will be able to understand complex policy issues, recognise their relevance to the Traveller Movement and identify policy solutions. You will know how to generate and analyse data and bring issues to life by drawing out the lived experience of people from Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities
You will led develop and sustain a small committed team of two policy and campaign officers to produce policy, research and campaigning activities. You will lead TMs Public relations and influencing work developing relationships with policy makers, partner organisations, parliamentarians and the media. You will ensure co-production and the voice and lived experiences ethnic Romani (Gypsy), Traveller and Roma is central to all our engagement and influencing work.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.