Job summary
We are seeking 2 qualified benefits advisers to join our expanding Employment Services Team. We are looking for a passionate, motivated individual who will put the service user at the centre of their practice as you support them with their debt and welfare benefits advice.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Debt and Welfare Benefits Advisor to join our expanding team. The successful candidate will support a caseload of individuals who have experienced severe and enduring mental health problems, those with health conditions, complex barriers and who are unemployed. The Adviser will also support our employed client group who are receiving support from our Employment Retention Service to sustain work. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a well-established expanding employment team.
Main duties of the job
Debt and Welfare Benefits Advisor, Band 5, £29970 - £36483, fixed term contract 18 months.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Debt and Benefits Advisor to be based in a range of our community mental health services across the Black Country. Specifically the Advisor will provide specialist advice and casework covering the full range of Debt and Money Advice.
Advice should include specific advice on, but not exclusively;
- Welfare benefits
- Maximising income/appeals
- Debt options to signpost ( this excludes regulated debt advice)
The role will support service users in the Black Country and will form a key part of individuals' recovery and care plans. The successful candidates will support a caseload of individuals and this is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a well-established expanding team.
About us
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.
Across the whole of the region we provide:
- Adult and older adult mental health services
- Specialist learning disability services
- CAMHS
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, after NHS England and NHS Improvement approved the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving.
We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Post Title: Debt and Welfare Benefits Advisor
Department: Employment Service
Location: Black Country wide
Directorate: Corporate Strategy and Partnerships
Band: 5
Hours: 37.5
Contract Type: Fixed term until end November 2026
The role will support service users in the Black Country and will form an integral part of individuals recovery and care plans, working collaborating with clinicians, service users, families, community partners and employers. The successful candidates will support a caseload of individuals with specialist debt and welfare benefits advice., acting for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning and ensuring income maximisation, e.g. through the take up of appropriate welfare benefits.
We welcome you to call us to find out more about the roles, please contact Doreen Till
Mobile: 07780 956403
Job description
Job responsibilities
Post Title: Debt and Welfare Benefits Advisor
Department: Employment Service
Location: Black Country wide
Directorate: Corporate Strategy and Partnerships
Band: 5
Hours: 37.5
Contract Type: Fixed term until end November 2026
The role will support service users in the Black Country and will form an integral part of individuals recovery and care plans, working collaborating with clinicians, service users, families, community partners and employers. The successful candidates will support a caseload of individuals with specialist debt and welfare benefits advice., acting for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning and ensuring income maximisation, e.g. through the take up of appropriate welfare benefits.
We welcome you to call us to find out more about the roles, please contact Doreen Till
Mobile: 07780 956403
Person Specification
Interview
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a related field
- Able to build relationships with participants and partners
- Excellent report writing skills
- Experience of supporting vulnerable people with mental health problems and complex barriers
- Specialist knowledge and experience of delivering debt and welfare benefits advice
Desirable
- An understanding of the mental health act
Person Specification
Interview
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a related field
- Able to build relationships with participants and partners
- Excellent report writing skills
- Experience of supporting vulnerable people with mental health problems and complex barriers
- Specialist knowledge and experience of delivering debt and welfare benefits advice
Desirable
- An understanding of the mental health act
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
