Welfare Benefits Adviser – Mental Health Project
Hertfordshire County Council
Adult Care Services
Job Number HCC25745
Location Stevenage
Directorate – Adult Care Services
Salary Range £35,745 progressing to £39,186 per annum – Pay increase pending
Contract Type – Fixed Term
Full Time/Part – TimeFull Time
Closing Date 23-Jun-2024
About the team
Hertfordshire County Council‘s Money Advice Unit provides advice, information and training on welfare benefits. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Welfare Benefits Adviser to join our long established Mental Health Project, providing casework, advocacy, and appeals representation to clients receiving help from Community Mental Health Teams.
About the role
You will deliver a specialist benefits advice service including casework, advocacy and appeals representation as required. Although based in Stevenage the role has a hybrid flexible working model from office, home and outreach venues. The service is delivered by phone, e-mail and in-person as required.
You will need an excellent knowledge of the whole range of welfare benefits, but especially Personal Independence Payment, Work Capability Assessments and Universal Credit. You will also need proven casework, organisational and IT skills. You will join an experienced and supportive team but must be able to work independently and manage a high caseload to a very high standard.
About you
Essential:
- Recent experience of undertaking benefit casework including benefit checks, claim form completion, advocacy, revisions, appeals and tribunal representation for mental health clients
- Up to date knowledge of welfare benefits, particularly for people experiencing mental health crisis
- Ability to manage a large caseload and maintain detailed electronic case records
- Full driving licence or ability to travel in Hertfordshire when required
Desirable:
- Ability to use full range of Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to establish and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and in particular the local mental health offices and clinics
- Experience of developing and delivering training courses on welfare benefits for mental health professionals
A typical day would involve taking and acting-on referrals for people whose financial situation is negatively impacting their mental health (or vice versa) That will include making claims or reviews for universal credit, help with housing costs, disability-related benefits and whatever else may be required. This needs a good grasp of the technical aspects involved in a benefit claim, as well as knowing how to liaise with medical staff, the DWP, social care professionals etc.
You will need a broad and deep range of experience in giving benefits advice, from claim to Tribunal level, as well as an understanding of the effect that such issues can have on the individual. Experience of mental health services as an adviser, carer or service-user would be an advantage.
This job role is within the Community Services Level 10 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles – Community services
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Michael Chambers on 01438 843456 for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: TBC
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.