Welfare rights officer
Career outlook for welfare rights officer
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£21,000
£21,000
Experienced
£29,000
£29,000
Currently employed in Scotland
16,000
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would give people support and advice on welfare benefits and other areas such as housing, work and money.
You would advise clients face-to-face, over the telephone or by letter or email. You could either be a general adviser, or a specialist who works with one group (such as carers) or advises on one topic, such as housing.
You would:
- Explain benefit rules and who can claim
- Check clients are claiming all the benefits they can
- Help people fill in forms to apply for benefits, tax or pension credits
- Help clients get ready for appeals
- Take the place of clients at appeal tribunals
- Link up benefits agencies and others
- Let clients know who else can help
- Manage your own work and records
- Keep up to date with new laws and welfare reforms
You might sometimes be asked to train staff and volunteers, publicise your work or run campaigns.
You may find the work may stressful at times with a lot of pressure and deadlines, but it can also be very rewarding.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
57%
Part-time
35%
Self employed
8%
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- Time management
- Taking initiative
- Developing a plan
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Cooperating
- Social conscience
- Empathising
- Researching
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Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
There are no set qualifications for this role, but a good general education, knowledge of peoples' rights and the welfare benefits system would be essential.
Some employers may ask for a degree in social work, social policy or community work (SCQF level 9/10).
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Care
- Administration
- ICT
- Business
- Religious, moral and philosophical studies
- Social studies such as modern studies
You will also need
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
Helpful to have
- Relevant work experience and qualifications from organisation providing welfare rights advice such as local authorities, Citizens Advice or Shelter Scotland are very important when seeking work
- Voluntary work in a related field
- Qualifications and experience that show caring for people, for the community and an understanding of rights and benefits
A driving licence is useful and may be essential for some roles.