Age UK South Gloucestershire – Job Description (1 April 2014)

Title: Welfare Benefits Adviser

Responsible to: Information and Advice Manager

Liaison with: Staff, volunteers, other advice providers, community organisations and statutory bodies.

Based at: 67 High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AW. Regular travel will also be necessary to provide outreach services, home visits and to attend meetings and events

Salary: £19,621 plus up to 7% pension

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week

Tenure: Fixed term contract to 31 March 2015, which may be extended subject to funding.

Job Summary

 Provision of information and advice (with an emphasis on welfare benefits advice) to older people throughout South Gloucestershire

 Deliver advice sessions throughout South Gloucestershire via home visiting, at outreach sessions, in the main office, by telephone and by email  Undertake follow-up work arising from advice sessions and presentations, maintaining accurate client case records  Make presentations to relevant organisations, NHS and community groups and attend events and exhibitions as required  Maintain a thorough knowledge of welfare benefits legislation, accessing training and attending seminars/conferences as necessary  Record and maintain full and accurate records of all activities undertaken  Accessing training and attending seminars/conferences as necessary  Comply with all AUKSG policies and procedures and with relevant legislation  Carry out other duties which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the post. Person Specification

Essential Criteria

1. A minimum of one year’s experience of working in an advice giving capacity in either a paid or a voluntary capacity 2. Knowledge and understanding of current welfare benefits and pensions relevant to older people 3. Experience and ability to assist clients with the explanation and completion of complex application forms 4. Ability and commitment to increase knowledge and skills relevant to the provision of support to older people 5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills 6. Good numeric skills 7. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and MS Outlook), web based applications, and databases. 8. Ability to organise and prioritise a challenging workload effectively 9. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to use initiative and work independently when necessary 10.Commitment to the aims, objectives and policies of AUKSG 11.An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities 12.The nature of this post will require regular travel throughout South Gloucestershire and occasionally further afield therefore access to and the use of a reliable car is essential. 13.Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends

Desirable Criteria

14.Experience of providing advice in other areas of social welfare law 15.Experience of working with older people 16.Good presentation skills 17.Knowledge and understanding of the social security benefits and financial support available from Social Services and the NHS for those living in residential or nursing home accommodation, or who have particular healthcare needs. 18.Knowledge of more advanced legal information and experience in completing forms, such as Power of Attorney.