Welfare Rights Officer

Welfare Rights Officer

35 hours per week

Edinburgh - Hybrid

£28,549 - £30,865 per annum (Pay Award Pending)

Blackwood Homes and Care is a renowned housing and care provider within Scotland. We have a new, exciting opportunity available as a Welfare Rights Officer to support deliver an efficient and responsive Welfare Rights service to Blackwood’s customers.

We are looking for a new and dynamic member of our Housing team who can support our customers to live independently through high levels of engagement and support that reflects the needs of individuals. The successful candidate will manage customer queries on welfare benefits including the provision of debt management and budgeting advice and negotiating payments to ensure evictions are avoided.

We seek someone to advocate for and where necessary represent residents at appeal tribunals and other hearings and directing residents to other agencies, organisations or charities that may offer additional assistance.

You will manage complaints and breakdowns in service delivery in line with policy to meet customer expectations and in accordance with contract and service specifications, effectively communicating progress and outcomes to the customer.

You will have excellent customer service skills and be able to interact with our customers using the best medium to support inclusion and engagement. The Welfare Rights Officer will work collaboratively with relevant partners, local authorities and other housing and support agencies in your area and proactively engage with community organisations to develop and maintain a network of knowledge to support engagement and independent living opportunities for our customers.

Our Employee Benefits package

 Fully paid induction and personal development opportunities

 Company sick pay scheme on completion of probationary period

 34 days’ holiday per annum, pro rata for part-time hours

 Company pension scheme and Death in Service Benefit

 Flexible and family-friendly policy and procedures

 Access to employee wellbeing support networks such as a 24/7 GP, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program, Mental Health First Aiders, Wellbeing Hub and employee engagement forum

We ask that all applicants read the Job Pack before completing the application form, available on the Careers section of our website.

Note to interested applicants

This post is not eligible for sponsorship.