Community Advice Officer (Welfare Rights)

The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind
Job Description: Community Advice Officer (Welfare
Rights)

Hours:   37.5 hrs per week Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, half hour lunch break.

Some flexibility in terms of working hours may be considered.

Salary: £28,100

Background Information: Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) provides a
range of services and facilities to support people with sight loss in Sheffield, including a
residential care home (Cairn Home). We also support people with sight loss and/or
hearing loss in Rotherham. Our services in Rotherham are delivered under the name of
Rotherham Sight & Sound (RSS). Our overarching aim is to promote people’s
independence through advice and subsequent referral to other services, both our own
and other agencies.

General Information: Reporting to the Community Services Manager and working as
part of a team of people dedicated to providing a high-quality Community Advice
Service for the visually impaired people of Sheffield and sensory impaired people of
Rotherham. Comprehensive vocational training will be given.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Covering all areas of Sheffield and Rotherham, the postholder will primarily support
people with sight loss by providing specialist Welfare Rights advice and practical
assistance with benefit applications. This includes working with clients in their homes, in
our centres, and at our weekly Welfare Rights drop-ins. While the main emphasis of the
role is on benefits, the postholder may also undertake wider support duties as required.

Key responsibilities include:

•  Providing Welfare Rights support as the main focus of the role, including

assisting clients to complete disability and means-tested benefit applications
such as Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Universal
Credit and other relevant benefits.

•  Supporting clients through the full benefits journey, including gathering evidence,

liaising with relevant agencies, and supporting during reconsiderations and
appeals when required.

•  Offering advice on suitable aids and equipment to support daily living, including
items available through Social Services and those purchased independently by
clients.

•  Liaising with Social Services and other agencies to help secure appropriate

services and support packages.

•  Completing Specialist Needs Assessments for visually impaired people on behalf

of Social Services in Sheffield and for clients in Rotherham.

•  Responding to referrals from a range of sources and ensuring timely follow-up.
•  Maintaining accurate records, completing internal report forms, and updating our

database following client contact.

•  Keeping up to date with changes in legislation, policies, and procedures that may

affect clients’ rights and entitlements.

•  Attending staff meetings, supervisions, and appraisals.
•  Undertaking relevant training as required.
•  Carrying out other ad-hoc duties as needed.

The list of duties is not exhaustive. A suitable candidate must be flexible and able to
take on a variety of responsibilities, with benefits work forming the core element of
the role.

Person Specification:

Experience and Qualifications

Essential/Desirable

Experience of working with/supporting vulnerable people

Essential

A good knowledge of welfare rights

Experience of working with/supporting people with a
sensory impairment

Experience of working in the voluntary sector

Experience of producing written and electronic based
reports

Commitment to own continuing professional development
and attendance at further training

Essential

Desirable

Desirable

Essential

Essential

Skills/Attributes

Essential/Desirable

Adaptability, able to respond to a varied workload and
different challenges

Essential

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a structured
way with a range of individuals, both verbally and in writing

Essential

Ability to communicate with staff in a professional manner -
to develop and maintain appropriate positive relationships
with a range of stakeholders

Essential

IT literate and competent in use of Microsoft Office software
including Word, Excel and Outlook, or equivalent

Essential

Experience using CRM (database) software (this is
Microsoft Dynamics)

Desirable

Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with colleagues as
and when required

Essential

Ability to prioritise and manage own workload

Honest & Trustworthy

You should have, or be able to develop, a good
understanding of the needs of people with a sensory
impairment

Due to the nature of our work, guide dogs and hearing
support dogs will regularly be present. Hence, it is
necessary that the successful applicant does not have any
unmanageable allergies to dogs and does not object to
them accompanying their owners

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Qualities and Competencies

Essential/Desirable

Self-motivated

Personal commitment to equal opportunities and anti-
discriminatory practices

Ability to motivate and support others

A good sense of humour

Conscientious and thorough in record keeping, data
collection and data protection

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Other Requirements

Essential/Desirable

Ability to travel for events such as training, forums etc

Essential

This post may require some very occasional UK travel and
may include occasional overnight stays

Essential

Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and
satisfactory references, including a reference from your
current/most recent employer

Essential

Essential Car User Allowance

This is paid in addition to a mileage allowance for business mileage.

All Staff are required to:
Understand and comply with all relevant legislation and SRSB’s policies and
procedures, including data protection, safeguarding and health & safety. Confidentiality
of information relating to clients, volunteers and staff is of paramount importance.
To bring to the attention of the CEO any serious problems or areas of concern.
Work as part of a team for the benefit of our clients. Staff are expected to be
conscientious, adaptable and flexible in their duties.
Actively promote the work of SRSB/RSS as an independent charity for the provision of
help, support and provision of services in various forms for the benefit of our clients.

Undertake appropriate training as and when required, some of which will be Health &
Safety related and some of which will be skills related.

Benefits:
Life Assurance: All staff are covered under a life assurance policy for twice their
annual salary. However, please note that this is not a contractual obligation and whilst
we have no intention of removing this benefit the Charity in its sole and absolute
discretion reserves the right to discontinue, vary or amend the scheme (including the
level of your cover) at any time on reasonable notice to you.

Pension: You will be auto enrolled in SRSB’s staff pension scheme immediately subject
to you meeting the relevant criteria in terms of age and earnings. If you are auto
enrolled you will contribute 5% of your gross earnings (plus employer contribution 3%).
If you wish to contribute over and above this percentage you may do so, but SRSB will
not match this extra contribution.

Holidays: Pro rata to full time equivalent of 23 days per annum plus 9 days
statutory/customary holidays. Up to 3 days must be reserved for the Christmas/New
Year shutdown. Additional holiday entitlement starts to accrue after 3 years’ service.
Our holiday year is 1st January to 31st December, holiday entitlement accruing pro-rata
throughout the year.