Welfare benefits advisor jobs in preston, lancashire

World Jewish Relief created the Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for refugees in 2016 and today we are the largest provider of specialist employment support to refugees in the UK.

STEP provides a bespoke employment programme that addresses the complex barriers that refugees face when preparing for, and ultimately finding work in the UK.   We now have an exciting opportunity for a female Employment Advisor with fluency in Dari/Farsi to work with predominantly women clients providing remote employment support to STEP clients across the UK.

You will prepare clients for competitive employment and help them to achieve their chosen training and employment objectives. You will work to a variety of performance targets based on the progression outcomes of clients such as successful completion of training courses, voluntary and work placements and achieving and sustaining paid employment.   

About you

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Experience in successfully supporting refugees into sustainable employment

• Understanding of the issues and challenges faced by unemployed people to finding work, including those whose first language is not English

• Fluent first-language skills in speaking Dari/Farsi 

• Experience of providing advice and guidance and supervising a caseload of clients

• Excellent communication skills

• Good IT skills (CRM database, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams) and the ability to work remotely with confidence

• Good business-level English, cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with clients with varying levels of English

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 23 days holiday pro rata plus bank holidays and Jewish holidays. 

• Pension scheme – we contribute 5% to the World Jewish Relief pension scheme.

• Life Insurance – up to 3 times salary to nominated beneficiaries.

• Health Cash Plan – cash back to cover the costs of dental treatment, optical care, specialist consultations and a range of complementary therapies.

• Employee Assistance Programme – free, confidential advice or support with any personal or work. related concerns or free counselling if needed.

• Season ticket / travel to work loan.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• On Friday the office closes at 3pm.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

World Jewish Relief promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We invite and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from candidates of different ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and of faith or none that meet the criteria set out for this role. You don’t need to be Jewish to work for us, but you must share our desire to assist those who need help based on their vulnerability, not their identity, recognising the dignity and potential of all people.

We are striving to build a team reflective of the communities we work with. People with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds are experts by experience and are particularly encouraged to apply for this position. If you have first-hand experience of forced migration, please let us know in your application. Additionally, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements that are listed within the person specification. 

We respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to do so. 

To apply

Please upload your CV and a cover letter explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification and details of your language skills.

Interviews will be held on 14th and 15th May

We have an exciting opportunity for an IDVA to join the Lancashire team based at Preston covering the West Lancashire area working 37.5 hours a week. Part time hours will also be considered.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your Birthday
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

This role is based at our office in Preston covering the West Lancashire area, once you have completed training & probation period you can apply for hybrid working, all travel costs to and from appointments from your office base will be reimbursed.

As an IDVA you will be:

• Focusing on victims at high risk of harm & will provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service through individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• Supporting victims face to face or by telephone to access services to keep themselves & family safe.
• Developing individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the needs & risk assessment.
• Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including legal & civil options, housing, health & finance as well as support through the criminal justice system.
• Participating in multi agency meetings providing the voice of the client & ensuring actions are followed up.

You will need to:

• Have a good understanding of domestic abuse & the impact on victims and their children
• Understand risk assessment, safety planning & risk management for victims and their children
• Have knowledge of Safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
• Have theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims and their children.
• Have experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework.
• Have experience of managing a complex caseload, able to prioritise to deal with competing demands.
• Have strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
• Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrate the ability to use IT applications competently including, Microsoft Word, Excel etc. and Case Management systems in order to keep accurate records and monitoring your performance.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

At Fuel Bank Foundation, we are united by a shared mission purpose: ensuring that no one must choose between heating and eating. Creating a United Kingdom free from fuel crisis. We exist to make it possible for everyone in the UK who prepays for energy to have sustainable access to the heat, light, and power they need to live a happy, healthy, and productive life. Every day, our work helps people facing fuel crisis, providing emergency financial support, practical and actionable advice, and long-term advocacy to create real, lasting change.

As part of the Fuel Bank team, you play a vital role in making this happen. We are committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. Whether you're working directly with those in need, behind the scenes supporting operations, or helping shape policy, your contributions make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.

Are you a natural team leader or strive to be one, do you have excellent communication skills? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, ever evolving environment, that manages customer queries and applications processing? Are you flexible, empathetic, and dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service? If so, this role is perfect for you.

As the Triage Team Leader, you will be responsible for managing the team’s daily operations and ensuring performance targets are met, in line with our mission to help and support our clients out of crisis. Your role will include leading and supporting triage advisers, conducting regular one-to-one meetings, overseeing resource allocation, and delivering quality assurance and coaching."

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading with Purpose: Support and guide our triage advisers, helping them meet their goals and deliver high-quality support. Hold regular one-to-ones to offer encouragement, feedback, and development.
• Using Resources Wisely: Ensure the team is well-organised and resourced so we can offer the best possible service to those who need us, when they need us.
• Championing Quality: Carry out regular quality checks and offer tailored coaching to help the team grow their skills and confidence, making sure every interaction counts.
• Keeping Track: Monitor and report on how the service is performing against both internal and external targets. Quickly raise any challenges or concerns with the Head of Customer Service and Advice to keep things running smoothly.
• Always Improving: Look for ways to strengthen our service and improve outcomes for people in fuel crisis, making sure we’re always learning and evolving.
• Stepping In When Needed: During busy times, lend a hand by speaking directly with customers facing fuel emergencies—carrying out needs assessments and ensuring they receive same-day support.

 Experience and Skills:

• Previous Advice Role: Experience in an advice role with an understanding of how to develop the support we offer.
• Team Leader/Senior Experience: Previous experience as a Team Leader or in a senior role is desirable but we are open to developing the right person.
• Phone-Based Experience: Preferably in a triage/advice role, but general customer service experience is also suitable.
• Empathy and Support: Demonstrated empathy with a strong desire to help and support customers.
• Attention to Detail: Strong administrative and reporting skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on continuous improvement and service enhancement.
• Computer Literacy: Proficient in using computer systems and software.

What You’ll Receive in Return:

• Team Support: Join a supportive and collaborative team committed to your success.
• Enhanced Annual Leave: 27.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
• Flexible Working: Enjoy a flexible schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  • Enhanced pension contributions.
  • Private healthcare and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Training and Development: Benefit from a comprehensive onboarding programme and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Equal Opportunities Employer: We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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:

• Provide professional person centred, in depth support to clients by a range of means, ensuring the most efficient and effective use of resources.
• 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. 
• Work flexibly across the service responding to enquiries through a range of channels.
• 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: 

• Experience of managing and delivering individual case work, including advocating for clients and supporting people to navigate  the health and social care system 
• Experience and understanding of safeguarding and your role in keeping clients safe and  implementing organisational policies and procedure
• Ability to be calm and use emotional intelligence in challenging casework
• Demonstrable digital competence, with experience of effective use of a range of tools including online case management systems
• 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.

Interviews will take place week commencing 19th May 2025.

The successful candidate will be required to: 

• Live in the area specified- South East Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside or Sunderland. You must be able to travel freely and flexibly throughout the area and occasionally further afield without reliance on public transport
• Preferably hold a full driving licence
• 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.

Department: Insight, Policy, and Communications

Reports to: Outreach Programme Manager

Location: Home-based, with regular travel across England, Scotland, and Wales

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus England bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution up to 5%
• Life insurance, critical illness cover & private health benefits
• 37.5-hour workweek

Note: This role involves regular travel and overnight stays to support outreach events and partner organisations, primarily in the South, South West and South East of England, but some travel to other areas of the UK may be required.

About British Gas Energy Trust (BGET)

British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) is dedicated to supporting individuals and families across England, Scotland, and Wales who are struggling with energy debt and financial hardship. As part of an exciting new nationwide outreach initiative, this role will support the Outreach Programme Manager in delivering a large-scale community-based programme aimed at helping those in or at risk of fuel poverty.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised and motivated individual who thrives in community engagement and has strong experience in event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme administration.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Support & Delivery

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of a nationwide outreach programme, including a rolling year-long calendar of community-based money and energy advice events.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for outreach events, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for attendees.
• Work closely with local charity partners, community groups, and British Gas advisors to facilitate events and outreach activities.
• Support the distribution of Energy Wellbeing Packs (e.g., heated blankets, thermos flasks) at events for vulnerable individuals.
• Regularly attend events to provide on-the-ground support, capturing feedback and ensuring objectives are met.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact for funded organisations and outreach partners, ensuring they have the resources and information needed to deliver effective support.
• Help coordinate volunteer participation from British Gas and other partners, ensuring a seamless experience for all involved.
• Build relationships with community leaders and partner organisations, strengthening outreach efforts.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Assist in data collection and impact tracking to measure outreach programme success.
• Support the preparation of reports and presentations for senior leaders, using insights to refine future outreach strategies.
• Help maintain accurate records of outreach activities, tracking event attendance and engagement metrics.

Communications & Marketing Support

• Support the development of marketing materials and communications to promote outreach events and initiatives.
• Ensure that outreach events are effectively publicised within local communities through digital and print channels.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience in event coordination, community outreach, or programme administration.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Confident in building relationships with stakeholders, including charities, community groups, and corporate partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt and remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and data management tools.
• Self-motivated and proactive, able to work independently while supporting a small team.
• Willingness to travel extensively and occasionally work outside standard office hours to support events.
• Willingness to undertake a National Energy Action qualification within your probationary period, funded by the trust.

Desirable:

• Experience working in the energy, charity, or community outreach sectors.
• Knowledge of grant funding processes and working with funded organisations.

This role is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of a nationwide initiative tackling fuel poverty, helping deliver meaningful change in communities across the UK. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills to support a high-impact outreach programme, we encourage you to apply.

Please note we are not able to offer sponsorship. 

* We are not accepting requests to work with third party recruiters for this or any other vacancy. *

Department: Insight, Policy, and Communications

Reports to: Outreach Programme Manager

Location: Home-based, with regular travel across England, Scotland, and Wales

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus England bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution up to 5%
• Life insurance, critical illness cover & private health benefits
• 37.5-hour workweek

Note: This role involves regular travel and overnight stays to support outreach events and partner organisations, primarily in Scotland, the North of England, and Wales, but some travel to other areas of the UK may be required.

About British Gas Energy Trust (BGET)

British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) is dedicated to supporting individuals and families across England, Scotland, and Wales who are struggling with energy debt and financial hardship. As part of an exciting new nationwide outreach initiative, this role will support the Outreach Programme Manager in delivering a large-scale community-based programme aimed at helping those in or at risk of fuel poverty.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised and motivated individual who thrives in community engagement and has strong experience in event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme administration.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Support & Delivery

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of a nationwide outreach programme, including a rolling year-long calendar of community-based money and energy advice events.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for outreach events, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for attendees.
• Work closely with local charity partners, community groups, and British Gas advisors to facilitate events and outreach activities.
• Support the distribution of Energy Wellbeing Packs (e.g., heated blankets, thermos flasks) at events for vulnerable individuals.
• Regularly attend events to provide on-the-ground support, capturing feedback and ensuring objectives are met.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact for funded organisations and outreach partners, ensuring they have the resources and information needed to deliver effective support.
• Help coordinate volunteer participation from British Gas and other partners, ensuring a seamless experience for all involved.
• Build relationships with community leaders and partner organisations, strengthening outreach efforts.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Assist in data collection and impact tracking to measure outreach programme success.
• Support the preparation of reports and presentations for senior leaders, using insights to refine future outreach strategies.
• Help maintain accurate records of outreach activities, tracking event attendance and engagement metrics.

Communications & Marketing Support

• Support the development of marketing materials and communications to promote outreach events and initiatives.
• Ensure that outreach events are effectively publicised within local communities through digital and print channels.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience in event coordination, community outreach, or programme administration.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Confident in building relationships with stakeholders, including charities, community groups, and corporate partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt and remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and data management tools.
• Self-motivated and proactive, able to work independently while supporting a small team.
• Willingness to travel extensively and occasionally work outside standard office hours to support events.
• Willingness to undertake a National Energy Action qualification within your probationary period, funded by the trust.

Desirable:

• Experience working in the energy, charity, or community outreach sectors.
• Knowledge of grant funding processes and working with funded organisations.

This role is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of a nationwide initiative tackling fuel poverty, helping deliver meaningful change in communities across the UK. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills to support a high-impact outreach programme, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship. 

* We are not accepting requests to work with third party recruiters for this or any other vacancy. *