St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice

Benefits Advisor

The closing date is 17 August 2025

Job summary

Here is an opportunity for somebody friendly, approachable and with a passion for person-centred care and support to join our team. This role involves the provision and execution of welfare benefit advice, casework, and assistance in accessing other financial sources to maximise the income of those living with a life-threatening illness, as well as their families and carers. The successful candidate will need to be motivated, organised, have excellent communication skills and sound working knowledge and experience in the application of statutory duties such as Safeguarding and Data Protection. You will be building relationships with people accessing our service; ensuring effective support is given at all times and that the burden of navigating the welfare benefits system is alleviated where possible.

Main duties of the job

To assess the needs of those referred to the service and provide a full income maximisation service for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families, whilst minimising administrative burden for those accessing the service where necessary. The role will involve undertaking ongoing casework where needed, and assisting and empowering clients to access their entitlements to welfare benefits and other sources of financial help to maximise their income. This service is accessible to individuals living with life-limiting illness, and their families and carers. The successful candidate will also provide advice on related services and support available, including applying for individual grants, Blue Badges, and identifying the need for referral to specialist advice and support across a range of subject areas, for example.

The service will be delivered in settings appropriate to the client group including the Hospice, outreaches and home visits where necessary and appropriate.

About us

St Lukes is an adult hospice based in Winsford that cares for people in mid and south Cheshire who are living with a diagnosis of cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. We offer specialist treatment, care, advice and support to many seriously ill people and their families every year. We are a small hospice with a big heart whose ethos, values and beliefs are core to everything we do. If you feel the same way wed love to hear from you.

St Lukes is committed to equality and diversity and promotes an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We are also happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.

Please note this position may involve coming into contact with vulnerable adults and or children. We are committed to providing safeguarding training within induction period.

We do not hold a sponsorship license. The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK.

Date posted

15 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£27,866.65 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0242-25-0013

Job locations

Grosvenor House

Queensway

Winsford

Cheshire

CW7 1BH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Deliver specialist advice on a full range of welfare benefits including Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independent Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and others.

Carry out comprehensive benefit checks to identify potential entitlements.

Support people to complete their applications and gather necessary evidence in relation to this.

Assist clients to challenge benefits decisions; including preparation and submission of mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.

Represent clients at benefit tribunals, where appropriate.

Advocate on behalf of clients with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), local authorities and other relevant and appropriate agencies to progress the clients case, and ensure they receive all assistance available.

Assist clients in accessing and applying for other sources of financial support, for example grants and help with health and travel costs.

Maintain accurate and detailed electronic case records and other statistics for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval and statistical monitoring and report preparation.

Refer or signpost clients on to colleagues or other agencies as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the service, including housing, debt, and employment.

Provide advice, information, and benefits awareness training to colleagues and other health and social care professionals working with the client group.

Refer clients and/or those close to them to other appropriate hospice services, following a thorough assessment of need and consultation with the appropriate Healthcare Professionals.

Work in a culturally competent and sensitive manner.

Service design and development

To continue building on the success of the service, ensuring the development of key aspects including its associated processes and procedures.

Develop and maintain effective admin systems and records relevant to the role.

Work to set targets and deadlines and escalate any risks or issues that impact delivery of the service or meeting the target.

Carry out other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure effective delivery and ongoing development of the service.

General

Keep technical knowledge up to date; identify your own learning and development needs and in collaboration with the Family Support Team Leader, take steps to ensure that these are addressed. Similarly, to keep up to date with welfare legislation, case law, and government policy changes relevant to the role.

Ensure that work reflects and supports the St Lukes Cheshire Hospice's vision and strategic aims.

Attend regular internal and external meetings relevant to the role (staff, team etc).

Attend regular external supervision that facilitates and ensures the delivery of sound technical advice and support.

Work cooperatively with colleagues and encourage good teamwork, clear lines of communication and common practices within the team.

Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for your own health and safety, and that of colleagues.

Participate in the training and support of volunteers who can help deliver aspects of the service.

Maintain an openness and willingness to support colleagues insights into the service offer, through informal information sessions, staff inductions and other appropriate ad-hoc requests.

Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and ongoing development of the service.

Service delivery channels:

Telephone, face to face, email and video call depending on client need and resources.

Health & Safety & Security

Under health and safety legislation, each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for the health and safety of others and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. The Hospice has a Health & Safety Policy which applies to all staff.

Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their manager.

Equal Opportunities

St Lukes Cheshire Hospice has given its full commitment to the adoption and promotion of the key principles of equal opportunities contained within current legislation and St Lukes Cheshire Hospice Equality & Diversity Policy.

Confidentiality

In the course of your duties, you will have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff, volunteers and other hospice business. The Hospice has a Data Protection Policy, which applies to all staff. The upholding of Information Governance principles will be an ongoing commitment and responsibility of the post-holder.

St Lukes Cheshire Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the Hospice Safeguarding Policies. Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff.

This job description may vary from time to time according to the needs of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice.

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service.