Welfare Rights Officers

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Durham County Council for two Welfare Rights Officers, on a two-year fixed term basis.

The Welfare Rights Officer role is based at Green Lane Council Offices in Spennymoor, working 37 hours per week within the Transactional Services team.

As a Welfare Rights Officer, you will be part of a team who will deliver independent and confidential specialist advice and information on welfare benefits to the residents of County Durham, providing representation at Appeals Tribunals where required. An up‑to‑date knowledge of welfare benefits is essential.

The Welfare Rights service receives referrals from Social Workers within Adults and Children’s Services, and other teams within the Council such as Discretionary Payments, Financial Assessments and Council Tax. Our Macmillan Welfare Rights Service receives referrals from Health Professionals to help people affected by cancer.

You will have substantial experience of giving welfare benefit advice, preferably to appeal level and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and advocacy skills. You will have experience of multi‑agency partnership working and be able to plan your work effectively within a fast‑paced environment. You will be dedicated to working with a high degree of accuracy and take pride in effective case recording.

You will have good IT skills and be able to manage changing priorities. You will be able to use your own initiative and must enjoy working as part of a team.

You must have a minimum 2 A Levels Graded A-C (or equivalent) and relevant experience in welfare benefits advice‑giving.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Basic Disclosure.

Interviews will be held week commencing 21st September 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

CUSTOMER SERVICE – ENGLISH SPEAKING

Where our roles are customer facing and you are required to speak to members of the public, you will be required to demonstrate the ability to speak fluent English. This is a requirement under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016.

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