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Welfare Rights Officer

Job Summary
Contract Type:
Permanent
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
09/11/2026
Advert End Date:
30/11/2026 23:59
Salary:
Grade 7 (SCP 26 - 30) £38,510 - £42,123
Hours per week:
37
Job Category:
Finance / Benefits / Revenues / Procurement
Vacancy ID:
304428
Employment Location:
City Hall, Sunderland
Number of posts:
1
Closing date:
30 Nov
Further Information
Make a Difference to Sunderland Residents

Sunderland City Council's Welfare Rights Service is seeking an experienced and motivated Welfare Rights Officer to join our dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity to support some of the city's most vulnerable residents to maximise their income, access welfare benefits, receive basic employment rights advice, and challenge incorrect benefit decisions.

Our award-winning service provides specialist welfare benefits advice, casework, representation, advocacy, and related support to residents across Sunderland. We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to tackling poverty, reducing financial hardship, and improving outcomes for local people.

The Role
As a Welfare Rights Officer, you will:
  • Provide specialist welfare benefits advice and casework across a range of social security benefits.
  • Assist residents to make and maintain benefit claims.
  • Prepare written submissions and represent clients at First-tier Tribunal appeals.
  • Provide basic employment rights advice and information, including issues relating to pay, sickness absence, dismissal, redundancy, and employment status, referring complex matters to specialist agencies where appropriate.
  • Support residents affected by disability, illness, unemployment, low income, and other financial challenges.
  • Work closely with council services, partner organisations, voluntary sector agencies, and community groups.
  • Contribute to the achievement of service performance targets and service outcomes.
  • Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
About You
You will have:
  • Recent experience of providing welfare benefits advice and casework.
  • A thorough knowledge of the UK social security system, including Universal Credit and disability benefits.
  • Experience of preparing appeals and representing clients at tribunal hearings.
  • An understanding of basic employment rights and the ability to provide general employment-related advice.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
  • The ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise competing demands.
  • A commitment to delivering high-quality, customer-focused services.
  • A recognised advice qualification (such as Wiseradviser or equivalent) would be desirable.         
This post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Applications should be made on-line at northeastjobs.org.uk/sunderlandcitycouncil. For further assistance contact Customer Enabling Services by email: jobs@sunderland.gov.uk
 
Please note that CVs are not accepted.

Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered online with North East Jobs, including your invitation to any online assessment you are required to undertake and your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email inbox after the closing date for notifications as you may not be notified by any other means. Please remember to check your junk mail items.                                                     
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