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Welfare rights officer
Welfare benefits adviser, welfare rights adviser, Citizens Advice adviser
Welfare rights officers give support and free advice to the public.
Average salary (a year)
£21000
Starter
£29000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:an apprenticeship; working towards this role; volunteering; applying directly
Apprenticeship
You could complete a revenues and welfare benefits practitioner higher apprenticeship if you're working for a local authority or advice organisation.
This apprenticeship will typically take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
  • experience in related work
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start as an admin assistant with an advice organisation and work your way up with further training in welfare rights.
You'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications, in English and maths.
Volunteering
Many people start by volunteering in an advice centre.
As a volunteer you would receive training in interviewing skills and advice topics like welfare benefits and housing. It can take between 6 and 12 months to get enough experience to apply for jobs.
You can search for volunteering opportunities through Do It.
Direct Application
You can apply for jobs if you have experience of supporting people facing difficult situations, for example, those with money, family or housing problems.
More Information
Career Tips
A qualification in counselling, legal work or advice and guidance could be useful, though your employer may give you on-the-job training.
The ability to speak a second language or a qualification in British Sign Language could be helpful for some jobs.
Further Information
You can find out more about working in welfare rights from Citizens Advice and AdviceUK.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Customer service skills
    Sensitivity and understanding
    Knowledge of psychology
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this role you could
check clients are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, help people fill in forms, help clients get ready for appeals, speak on behalf of clients at appeal tribunals, work with benefits agencies and other organisations, refer clients to other services, keep confidential records, learn about relevant laws and welfare reforms, publicise your service or welfare campaigns, train staff and volunteers
Working environment
You could work in the community, at a client's home, in a court, in an NHS or private hospital or at an outreach centre.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could move into specialist advice and casework, or be promoted to a team leader or management post.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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