Part-Time Welfare & Benefits Advisor

Responsible to: Senior Welfare & Benefits Advisor

Responsible for:  Providing information, advice, guidance and support to clients on a range of welfare & benefit issues to help maximise income.

Salary:  £13,582 per year plus company pension (£25,467 FTE)

Hours: 20hrs/week (the service is open Mon- Fri, 9.00am – 5pm.  Hours to be worked are negotiable during these days/times)

Location:  The Well, Farnworth Baptist Church

Job Context:  The Well, located at Farnworth Baptist Church, provides a range of services including Jeremiah Welfare & Benefits advice, Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank, Jeremiah Project (work club, adult education, and money skills), ESOL Classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), a befriending project for older people, and a mental health drop-in with wellbeing support. The project operates within a Christian ethos.

** Please note: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian **

Main Responsibilities

1. Client Support

• Assess clients' entitlement to benefits effectively.
• Provide information, advice, and support on welfare and benefit issues, ensuring a high-quality, responsive, and sensitive service.
• Assist clients with benefit checks, claims, and follow-up procedures to maximise income.
• Negotiate with statutory bodies on behalf of clients.
• Collaborate with the Senior Welfare & Benefits Advisor in preparing cases for appeal.

2. Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate records of client activity and interventions, ensuring follow-up procedures are adhered to.

3. Collaboration and Networking

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with professionals and agencies to ensure consistency and avoid duplication of effort.

4. Professional Development:

• Keep up to date with relevant benefit changes and legislation.
• Work within the values and ethos of Farnworth Baptist Church.

5. Teamwork and Compliance:

• Work as part of the staff team to maintain a warm and welcoming environment.
• Support the project's work and outcomes.
• Commit to ongoing training and development.
• Comply with all policies and procedures, including equality and diversity, health & safety, and data protection.
• Adhere to confidentiality and best practice guidelines when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
•  Undertake any reasonable tasks required by the Senior Welfare & Benefits Advisor.

6. Meetings and Participation:

• Attend and participate in daily prayer meetings, weekly staff meetings, and quarterly retreat days with Christian teaching.

7. Staff Development:

• All staff undergo an induction program outlining the organisation's aims, values, acceptable standards of performance, and behaviour.
• The postholder will receive regular one-to-one supervision and staff development sessions with the Senior Welfare & Benefits Advisor.
• Further training opportunities for professional and personal development will be provided as appropriate and according to identified need.