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