Welfare Benefits Adviser

Welfare Benefits Adviser - 10 hours/week 

(flexible working arrangements are possible in line with service delivery needs and with agreement of the Service Manager)

Bolton Adult Autism Support (BAAS) is an award winning grassroots charity supporting autistic adults and their carers. In recognition of our work, in June 2020, BAAS received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE of voluntary organisations. Headed by a driven and diverse Board of Trustees, we are now looking to extend our staff team by employing a dedicated Welfare Benefits Adviser.

Job Description Overview

To provide advice to service beneficiaries of BAAS that enables them to access benefits and maximise their income. To assist with the completion of benefit claims, appeals and reviews, acting as an advocate where appropriate. To develop and deliver training materials to service beneficiaries, members of the public and external organisations.

Welfare Benefits Support

• Advise, assist and support service beneficiaries who could benefit from welfare benefit advice in accordance with agreed procedures, policies and good practice, including the completion of benefit claim forms.
• Develop a caseload and maintain detailed, up to date and confidential case notes and supporting documentation for the purpose of information retrieval and case continuity.
• To act as an advocate for service beneficiaries in order for them to appeal or challenge a welfare benefit decision, and to support them in such processes.
• To refer service beneficiaries to other colleagues and/or services to assist in meeting any identified needs, and liaise and negotiate with relevant agencies.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the benefits system, case law and the effects of welfare reform and forthcoming changes.

Office

• Provide relevant and appropriate data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluation and record outcomes in accordance with company policy.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of training materials for welfare benefits, and deliver these as required.
• Follow organisational policies and procedures.
• Attend training as set out by the Service Manager, as well as identify own training needs where applicable.
• Positively liaise with other staff, contributing towards further development of BAAS’s service delivery programs.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty consistent with the operation of the service as required by the Service Manager.

Community

• Represent BAAS positively and professionally at community events, as required.
• Assist community fundraising efforts, as required.
• Delivery of training materials to external organisations, as required.

Skills required for this role

Essential 

• A demonstrable understanding of the issues which affect families impacted by autism
• An ability to listen to others in a non-judgemental way
• To be confident in communicating with those who have or may have social communication difficulties
• Liaison is an integral part of this role, the postholder will need to demonstrate good communication skills and be self-motivating
• Proven excellent administration and organisational skills
• A high level of literacy with the ability to write clear and concise reports, and keep up to case records, in line with data protection legislation
• A commitment to continually develop and update welfare benefits knowledge
• A willingness to undertake relevant training 
• A willingness to follow relevant company procedures
• A flexible approach to your work

Desirable 

• A lived experience of autism, and the issues which affect families impacted by autism
• Experience of adopting your communication approach to the needs of each individual
• Experience of engagement with people who use and benefit from services
• Relevant experience of providing welfare benefits advice to those who use services
• Experience of developing training materials and delivering to groups
• A basic knowledge of adult safeguarding and data protection procedures