Senior Welfare Advisor
- Full-time
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Senior Welfare Adviser to join the Advice Service at Community Links. The role forms part of Catch22's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS), commissioned by HMPPS, and will provide specialist welfare benefits, debt and social welfare advice to men involved in the criminal justice system, while also contributing to the wider Community Links Advice Service.
The postholder will deliver high-quality advice, advocacy and casework to people experiencing poverty, financial hardship, debt, housing difficulties and other social welfare challenges, with a particular focus on supporting men engaged with probation services and those moving through rehabilitation and resettlement.
Working within a holistic advice model, the adviser will help clients understand their rights, maximise income, improve financial wellbeing and access the support they need to achieve positive outcomes.
The role's core specialisms are welfare benefits and debt advice. The postholder will manage a varied caseload, supporting clients with benefit entitlement, claims, appeals, debt issues and available debt solutions, while also advising on housing issues, income maximisation and wider social welfare matters. The successful candidate will support volunteers and trainees, contribute to quality assurance activities and work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
Community Links is committed to investing in staff development and will support the successful candidate through funded debt advice training and ongoing professional development opportunities. This role offers opportunities to further develop specialist debt advice knowledge, achieve recognised accreditation and progress within the service, while delivering high-quality support to people facing complex debt and social welfare challenges.
Qualifications
- Specialist knowledge and experience of welfare benefits and debt advice, including Universal Credit, debt options and relevant legislation.
Ability to manage a varied and complex caseload.
Minimum two years' experience providing social welfare advice at casework level, including advocacy and representation.
Experience preparing welfare benefit appeals, mandatory reconsiderations or tribunal submissions.
Experience supporting vulnerable individuals with multiple and complex needs.
Experience providing welfare benefits and debt advice.
Experience working within AQS standards and FCA requirements.
Knowledge of safeguarding, GDPR, confidentiality and information governance requirements.
Experience maintaining accurate records and working to performance and quality standards.