Welfare Benefits Advisor
Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC)
Closing date for applications 31/05/2024
For an application pack email: enquiries@harcuk.com
Salary £26,421 - £28,770
Full time, permanent post.
Based at: Renaissance House London Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6AN

JOB SUMMARY
To provide welfare benefit advice via the East Sussex Benefits Helpline, community based outreach advice surgeries, home visits, and office based appointments as required. Thereby maximising financial inclusion and enabling clients to navigate the benefits system, understand their rights and entitlements, and make appropriate claims for welfare benefits and other sources of financial help.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Advice Work
• Undertake telephone advice sessions on a roster basis.
• Attend outreach surgeries at various community based locations as required.
• Provide office based appointments and home visits as required.
• Carry out casework and advocacy work arising from telephone sessions, appointments and surgeries.
• Identify cases for other HARC Projects and hand over to the relevant advisor where appropriate.
• Identify cases for signposting and/or referral to other frontline services.
Administration
• Record and collect statistics on client enquiries using HARC's case management systems.
• Submit and present reports to the Advice Manager/Chief Executive on statistics and items of information relevant to the advice centre as and when required.
• Keep accurate, confidential, case records.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, policies and practices.
• Build up the resources of information for advice work.
Outreach, Liaison and Publicity
• Represent HARC, maintain links and share information with other voluntary agencies, community groups, charitable bodies and statutory organisations as directed by the Advice Manager/Chief Executive.
• Take part in specific national and local take-up campaigns and education work as directed and as priorities allow.
General Duties
• Attend training courses/seminars as required.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Be self-servicing.
• Participate in office rosters as necessary.
• Adhere to HARC's equality and diversity policy and implement any practice guidelines in the course of duties.
Priorities may vary from time to time as HARC’s service delivery changes.

HARC is a Disability Confident employer.