St John's Hospice Welfare Rights Advisor

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To receive referrals for Welfare benefit advice from members of the St Johns Hospice MDT
• To work autonomously with a minimum of supervision to review cases, complete appropriate analysis and determine the appropriate level of support and advice to offer in each case to progress cases appropriately. This will involve a comprehensive case plan with milestones and relevant external (multi-disciplinary agencies) and internal links (Health professionals- Doctors, nurses etc)
• To be able to deal sensitively with vulnerable patients and their family or carers and provide appropriate advice and support.
• As part of the review of cases assess the patients financial circumstances and agree and document a casework plan.
• To assess the social and emotional needs of the patient and family and to refer as appropriate to the relevant other departments in the hospice or to external agencies.
• Liaise and negotiate with other statutory and voluntary organisations and ensure good working relationships with health professionals supporting the patient to progress the clients case and ensure they receive all assistance available.
• Develop working relationships with health professionals supporting the client group.
• To signpost patients threatened with homelessness or in need of special housing assistance to the appropriate agency.
• To assess the needs of patients with no recourse to public funds or legal status in the UK and refer to the appropriate agency.
• To be able work with clients in 1:1 face to face situations, though group work through telephone contact, email and written communication.
• Maintain detailed records for the purpose of continuity of case work and information retrieval.
• Record data of referrals, open and closed cases on the departments computerised database system. To utilise these figures for audit and service provision requirements, analysis of themes and service improvements.
• As part of the assessment of cases request applications for grants from various charities.
• Provide teaching and training to other members of the MDT.
• To remain up to date with all issues relating to welfare benefits.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Successfully completed industry standard qualification (e.g. MAS/MaPS Money Advice Accredited Learning) to be able to provide financial advice (or willingness to work towards an accepted qualification
• Demonstrable experience in delivering advice in welfare benefits, debt or other financial advice (e.g. budgeting)
• Experience of working with people living with chronic health conditions
• Experience of working with people living with palliative care needs
• Working in the charitable sector
• Experience of working in Health or social care

Desirable

• Experience of working with people living with chronic health conditions
• Experience of working with people living with palliative care needs
• Working in the charitable sector
• Experience of working in Health or social care

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth

Address

60 Grove End Road

St John’s Wood

London

NW8 9NH

Employer's website

https://www.hje.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)