Welfare Rights Officer

Overview
We are pleased to share this opportunity to join the well-established Welfare Rights Team in Midlothian Council.
We are seeking applications from a motivated welfare rights officer to provide specialist welfare rights services to some of the most vulnerable residents in Midlothian.
The successful candidate will be a committed and enthusiastic individual, with up-to-date experience of welfare benefits and advice services and will have the skills and knowledge to provide representation at appeal level.
The successful candidate will join a small team delivering high quality, efficient and effective Welfare Rights services in Midlothian.
The candidate will have excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and will demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits and the complexities between the two.
This is a one-year fixed-term post.
Responsibilities
Provide specialist welfare rights services to vulnerable residents in Midlothian.
Represent clients at appeal level and support casework through the welfare rights process.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits and the interface between the two schemes.
Work as part of a small team delivering high quality, efficient and effective Welfare Rights services with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Contribute to case preparation, advocacy and representation as required.
Qualifications
Degree-level qualification in Social Sciences, Law or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g., SVQ4 or HND desirable).
Previous experience in welfare rights activity and sound knowledge of relevant legislation, with experience of working with the general public and carrying out oral appeal representation.
PVG Scheme membership is required for Regulated Work with Children; you must join before starting and the cost is borne by you.
Regulated Work with Children: You must not be barred from working with children to apply.
Job Details
Position Title: Welfare Rights Officer
Position Number: S
Directorate: Health and Social Care
Contract Status: Fixed Term until 31 / 5 /
Hours of Work: 18
Working Pattern: Flexible – to be confirmed with successful candidate
Weeks per year: 52
Salary: Based on 18 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £19,.37 per annum.
Salary policy: successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.
Key Dates
Closing date: Thursday 4 September
Interview date: Friday 12 September
Additional Information
If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.
Midlothian Council is undergoing transformation; internal candidates may be interviewed before the wider selection pool and there may be a longer delay before outcomes are advised.
If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability, or are a care-experienced young person who has previously been looked after, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
Policy: Midlothian Council appoints to the first point on the salary scale.
For further information on PVG, please refer to Disclosure Scotland.
The PVG process is subject to Disclosure Scotland guidance; you will be notified when your PVG certificate is viewable by email, and it remains accessible for a limited window.
If you do not grant access within that window, a new application may incur additional costs.
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