Address
Form of work
SalaryJob Description
Welfare Rights Officer, Perth PKC11117
£30,727 - £33,843 Fixed Term (until 31/03/2025)
Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD
An opportunity has arisen within the Welfare Rights Team for a Welfare Rights Officer. The postholder will be required to:
•Provide telephone advice and information on state benefits, tax credits and other Welfare Rights issues to Housing & Community Care staff, other council staff and to elected members through the Welfare Rights Advice Line.
•Advocate for and represent service users and vulnerable people at Benefit Appeal Tribunals in relation to their entitlement to state benefits and tax credits.
•To provide quality case work and appeals representation at the standard required by the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers.
•Negotiate and mediate with appropriate agencies and organisations in the process of enabling service users and vulnerable people to secure their entitlement to state benefits, tax credits and other rights such as housing, employment, debt etc
•Develop and deliver training programmes for internal and external agencies i. e NHS, voluntary organisations.
•Undertake campaign work targeted at vulnerable clients particularly those who are vulnerable due to age, frailty, disability, mental ill-health or substance misuse.
•Take part in outreach work by establishing links with and undertaking talks to voluntary groups and organisations in order to promote the work of the Welfare Rights Team.
•Engage in partnership working with other relevant services and agencies, e.g. The Pensions Service, NHS Tayside, Housing Benefits, Local Taxes etc
•Keep clear records and statistics as required to enable the Welfare Rights service to be monitored and assessed.
•Ensure that the individuality, personal dignity and confidentiality of clients are respected at all times.
•Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the eligibility criteria for benefits, tax credits and other income sources.
•Have the ability to understand and interpret complex benefit legislation and case law.
•Undertake appropriate training as directed by the Senior Welfare Rights Officer and co-operate with the introduction of new procedures and/or new technological systems.
•Participate in team meetings, personal development and supervision and contribute to the development of the service by attending working groups and other forums as deemed appropriate.
Ideally, you will have experience of providing Welfare Rights advice in either a paid or voluntary capacity. A working knowledge of the eligibility criteria for welfare benefits and tax credits. You will have experience of advocating on behalf of service-users. Ability to use IT programmes and packages such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint etc.
The Individual
If you would like any more information regarding this vacancy, please contact NSutherland@pkc.gov.uk
When completing your application for this post, please ensure you provide current contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees, one should be your present or most recent employer. However, if you are an existing employee of Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide reference details for your current employer.
At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!
Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.
As part of our safer recruitment measures, any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of mandatory checks including eligibility to work in the UK, Disclosure Scotland or PVG, qualifications, references, and fitness to undertake the post. This may also include an Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have spent time living overseas.
Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.
A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.
Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.
What we can do for you
If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland Jobs, careers and employment.
