Welfare rights officer
Welfare rights officers help people understand their rights and releveant laws and legislation. Some provide support across a range of topics whilst others specialise in one area such as housing, or with one client group such as carers.
You'll need to have good presentation skills, be a great negotiator, have good digital and number skills and the ability to understand legislation and laws.
Role overview
Your role might include:
- checking people are claiming all the benefits they can get
- helping people fill in forms
- working with benefits agencies and other organisations
- learning about relevant laws and welfare reforms
- enabling people to represent themselves where possible, or speaking on their behalf.
You’ll usually work in a public advice centre or for a charity, community group or housing association.
Skills and experience
If you’re applying for an entry level role such as a welfare rights admin or assistant, your employer might expect qualifications showing good English and number skills.
It might be useful to have experience working in a similar role or with people who need care and support. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering (for example in a citizens advice centre) or as part of an apprenticeship.
For more experienced roles you might need a qualification or a degree in a relevant subject such as community development or social policy.
Opportunities
You could do a vocational qualification whilst you're working, for example a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or a qualification in policy or community support. Your employer might be able to fund this or you may be able to self-fund through an advanced learner loan.
You could move into specialist advice, for example disability benefits, or progress into management roles.