Job Title: Welfare Officer – St Helens
Location: St Helens
Salary: £24,897 to £27,664
Job type: Full time, Permanent
Closing Date: Monday, 28th March 2022
Please do NOT enclose or refer to a separate CV as this does not form part of the assessment process and will automatically be discarded.
Are you someone with the right experience to work as a Welfare Officer in a care organisation with a friendly supportive atmosphere where you can truly make a difference to the people you will visit. If so, why not apply to the Pilkington Family Trust, a highly regarded charity operating in St. Helens and throughout the UK, who are looking for an experienced Welfare Officer to visit beneficiaries of its welfare programme.
Your day will always be interesting dealing with the issues arising from visiting vulnerable elderly retired in their own homes in and around the St Helens area with occasional long-distance visits. One minute you may be a listening ear, sorting out a query, carrying out assessments and making referrals or generally checking on their welfare. One thing is common to all visits – all have a connection with Pilkington NSG through employment.
Your compassionate understanding of older peoples’ needs and your enthusiasm and motivation will be welcomed. You will be able to put into practice your knowledge of State Benefits as well as your excellent communication and organisational skills. Of course, scheduling and recording the outcome of your visits will be vital so good computer skills are needed to use a database as well as knowledge of Microsoft Office.
With a suitable qualification, such as level 4 Diploma in Adult Care, or relevant experience in the field of health and social care, why not apply for the position and find out more including our attractive terms and conditions such as a group personal pension plan, sickness scheme, employee assistance programme and holidays. The Company will also organise and pay for the enhanced disclosure and barring service check required for the post.
This is a perfect opportunity for someone who is looking for their next challenge in a unique organisation.
The Role:
To visit beneficiaries in necessitous circumstances, identify their needs and put in place appropriate services/benefits enabling them to remain as independent as possible in their own home.
The hours of work are 37.5 hrs a week with the benefit of a flexible working hours’ scheme. A clean driving licence is required and you will receive travel expenses for visits carried out in a car provided for the job.
Key Responsibilities:
- To visit beneficiaries in their own homes
- To carry out assessments on beneficiaries and make the appropriate referrals
- To visit new retirees and assess for levels of visits required.
- To respond to any Connections queries
- To accept and make referrals to/from external bodies and take appropriate action
- To acquire a full knowledge of the Welfare Programme, a working knowledge of State Benefits and all the other associated benefits relevant to older people
- To attend Welfare Officer Meetings and any appropriate training activities
- To represent the Pilkington Family Trust Funds on external bodies as and when required
- To maintain accurate and up to date administration records
- If required, identify and help arrange various pensioner activities, e.g. Re-union lunches and Social Groups
Skills and Experience:
- Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care or qualification of same standard or relevant experience in the field of health and social care
- Must preferably be educated to GCSE standard to Grade C/5 or above
- Full, clean driving licence essential
- Good computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Must be experienced in working with older people in unsupervised situations
- Must demonstrate proven experience in assessing individual care needs
- Should have experience of working as part of a team and working in isolation
- Experience of working/liaising with other agencies would be an advantage e.g. Health professionals/Care Agencies etc.
- Basic knowledge of state benefits is desirable
- Job demands excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Must be able to demonstrate ability to communicate verbally with retirees, colleagues, managers, volunteers and outside agencies
- Good report writing skills are essential in order to make grant applications and maintain records
- Have empathy and be of a caring nature showing personal warmth but able to cope with emotional situations
As you would expect from an equal opportunities employer that cares for people, there are opportunities to personally develop through training and development keeping up to date with all the best welfare practices.
Due to the nature of the role sponsorship and relocation assistance will not be provided so candidates must already possess the right to live and work in the UK to be eligible for the role.
Please click on the APPLY button and CHECK YOUR EMAILS to complete the attached application form.
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of; Home Carer, Welfare Benefits Advisor, Support Worker, Support Assistant, Social Care, Social Worker, Vulnerable Adult, Support Assistant, Adult Support Worker may also be considered for this role.
