Welfare Adviser

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Job Title: Welfare Benefits Adviser
Starting Salary: £39,481 progressing to £43,149
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Farnham House, Stevenage and Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Adult Care Services

The Client Finance Team supports vulnerable adults who are unable to manage their own financial affairs who have been assessed as lacking mental capacity. Acting as Appointees and Deputies, we help safeguard clients' income, assets and financial wellbeing, ensuring all decisions are made in their best interests.

As part of the Money Advice Unit, we work collaboratively with Adult Social Care colleagues, healthcare professionals, legal services and external organisations to provide specialist financial support and guidance across Hertfordshire.

This is an exciting time to join our growing team. You'll have the opportunity to develop within a service while making a meaningful difference to people's lives. We are a supportive and collaborative team, looking for empathetic individuals who want to help vulnerable adults remain independent and thrive within their communities.

This role is one of a range of new roles being advertised within our Money Advice and Client Finance service at this exciting time of growth. Check out our website for other opportunities.

To maximise the income and financial wellbeing of vulnerable clients by identifying, applying for, and maintaining entitlement to welfare benefits and undertaking financial inclusion work i.e. reviewing personal budget plans. The role supports individuals where the organisation acts as an Appointee or Deputy, ensuring all benefits and other finances are correctly managed in line with legal and financial responsibilities.

• Provide specialist welfare benefits advice and support for vulnerable adults, helping to ensure they receive their full financial entitlements.
• Assess, prepare and manage benefit claims, reviews, appeals and related casework on behalf of clients.
• Support Client Finance colleagues with complex cases, providing guidance on benefits and financial matters where required.
• Monitor clients' financial circumstances to maximise income and minimise the risk of benefits being affected unnecessarily.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, healthcare professionals, the DWP and other partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure all work is completed in line with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Act as a key point of contact for benefit-related enquiries and contribute to training and knowledge sharing across the team and council.
• Undertake home visits, outreach work and tribunal attendance as required.

We're looking for a knowledgeable and motivated individual who is passionate about helping vulnerable adults access their financial entitlements and achieve positive outcomes. You will have strong welfare benefits knowledge, excellent organisational skills and the confidence to advocate on behalf of clients when needed.

• Experience and knowledge of welfare benefits, including assessing entitlement, supporting benefit claims and helping people achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Strong advocacy and communication skills, with experience of, or the ability to, represent individuals with external organisations, including at appeals and tribunals.
• Experience supporting vulnerable adults within social care, welfare rights, client finance, advice services or a similar setting.
• An understanding of financial inclusion and the ability to manage sensitive financial information accurately and in a person's best interests.
• Strong organisational skills, with the…