Welfare Adviser (North of England)

12 months fixed-term contract

Reports to:Welfare Manager

Salary:£25-30,000 p.a. depending on qualifications and experience, plus benefits and travel and subsistence expenses while away from home.

Location:Working from home with daily travel and some overnight stays, mainly in the north of England and the Midlands. Occasional attendance will be required at meetings in central London.

The RMTGB is one of four central Masonic Charities located together in Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden, London. It has a staff of around 35 of which about half are concerned with raising funds and with the administration of finance and property. The other half, the Petitions Department, includes the office administration team, a team of seven Case Advisers and a team of four Welfare Advisers who manage individual cases and visit families in their homes. The RMTGB is a poverty charity which assists children and young people. Most families will have experienced an event in their lives such as the death, illness or disability of one or both parents, relationship breakdown or redundancy or business failure.

Welfare Advisers visit the family home of every new applicant to the RMTGB. Their main task is to compile a report for the Case Adviser team detailing the family history and circumstances, their financial position and the needs of the children. They are also expected to guide and assist families to claim all state benefits to which they may be entitled and access help from any other charities and organisations that may be relevant to them. A background in an area relevant to understanding and assessing children and families’ needs is essential.

The RMTGB has seen a significant rise in applications over the past two years and so is looking to add to the team on a temporary basis. Should the level of applications remain high, then the temporary contract could be extended for a further period. A significant proportion of the RMTGB’s work is in the north of England and the Midlands and the team is looking to appoint a new member specifically to cover that area, although occasionally they may be asked to travel more widely. Welfare Advisers are expected to travel to families’ homes and so may often need to stay away from home overnight. A mileage allowance is payable or the RMTGB will provide an appropriate vehicle. Reasonable subsistence and accommodation expenses are paid in line with RMTGB policy.

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Job Description

  • Arrange and conduct visits to new and existing applicants in line with the Welfare Team’s guidance.
  • Provide clearly drafted, high quality reports to agreed timescales.
  • Work in partnership with office-based staff to contribute to the effective administration of each case.
  • Manage own workload and diary effectively to ensure efficient use of time and other resources to maximise the number of visits and reports each week whilst minimising costs to the charity.
  • Provide support and direct applicants and beneficiaries to relevant and appropriate sources of help.
  • Liaise as required with statutory and voluntary agencies involved with beneficiaries and their families.
  • Adhere to the Trust’s policies and guidelines, particularly with regard to child protection. Report any child protection issues to the RMTGB’s designated responsible person for child protection.

Person Specification

  • Substantial successful experience in a relevant field, for example welfare; education; health or social care.
  • Excellent report writing skills, producing high quality work to a specified format and within agreed timescales.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing when dealing with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Good organisational skills with the ability to work independently to manage own workload, ensuring personal effectiveness and efficient use of resources.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with other teams to contribute to overall department objectives.
  • Compassionate and resilient disposition with experience of dealing sensitively with people, sometimes in difficult and distressing circumstances.
  • Holder of a current full driving licence and willingness to travel within the UK, with overnight stays away from home.
  • Requirement for a clear Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.
  • Competent at using IT and particularly Microsoft Office applications.

Useful knowledge, skills and experience

  • Knowledge of the education sector, examinations and qualifications.
  • Knowledge of UK state benefits and entitlements.
  • Knowledge of current legislation and best practice in relation to children and families.
  • Experience of understanding and assessing personal financial circumstances.

To apply, please send your CV together with a covering letter stating how you meet the person specification, why you would like the post, the qualities you have that make you a good candidate, and what you will add to the RMTGB, to Su Nicholson, Office Manager, Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, LondonWC2B 5AZ or email . Please note that CVs without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date: Monday 5 December 2011

Interviews week commencing:12 December 2011

Terms and Conditions

Post: Welfare Adviser

Location: Working from home in the north of England. The main office location is Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, LondonWC2B 5AZ.

Contract: 12 months fixed-term with the possibility of extension.

Salary: £25-30,000 p.a. depending on qualifications and experience, plus benefits and travel and subsistence expenses while away from home.

Normal office hours: RMTGB office hours are from 9am -5pm (Mon to Thu) and 9am – 4pm on Fridays. Welfare Advisers work flexibly to meet the job requirements, so some out of office hours work is expected.

Holidays: The leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Entitlement is 28days per year, of which three days must be used between Christmas and New Year, in addition to statutory holidays.

Pension: Contributory pension scheme.

Season ticket loan, health and or dental insurance: Available on successful completion of the probationary period.