Senior Welfare Benefits Officer

Salary details: £ - £

Senior Welfare Benefits Officer (Social Care Team)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Social Care Team as a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer. This is a specialist role within a highly regarded countywide service that supports some of Derbyshire's most vulnerable residents to maximise their income, maintain independence and navigate complex welfare and social care systems.

The Social Care Team works closely with Adult Social Care, finance teams, and partner organisations to provide welfare benefits advice and casework for vulnerable adults. The team helps adults to secure their full benefit entitlement, understand how income can affect social care charges, and navigate welfare and social care systems, supporting them to maintain independence, stability, and access to the care they need.

As a Senior Welfare Benefits Officer, you will manage a complex caseload involving some of the most challenging and rewarding work. You will provide specialist welfare benefits advice, undertake detailed casework, represent clients at appeal tribunals and work collaboratively with social workers, occupational therapists, care managers and other professionals to improve outcomes for residents.

A key focus of the role is supporting clients whose lives are significantly affected by disability, illness, frailty or caring responsibilities. This includes helping people understand the interaction between welfare benefits and adult social care, supporting clients who are subject to care and support charging arrangements, and ensuring that people retain access to the income and entitlements available to them. The role also involves supporting individuals through periods of significant change, including transitions into adulthood, changes in care arrangements and moves into supported or independent living.  

The successful candidate will develop specialist expertise in areas where welfare rights and adult social care intersect. Working closely with Adult Social Care and social care finance teams, you will lead the development and delivery of welfare benefits training, briefings and practical guidance for departmental colleagues. You will translate complex legislation into accessible learning, identify emerging training needs and help colleagues understand how welfare benefits can improve outcomes for vulnerable adults.

You will demonstrate professional leadership by sharing expertise, mentoring colleagues, providing constructive support, and influencing good practice across the service. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, uses sound judgement, communicates with confidence, and builds effective relationships while keeping the needs and dignity of vulnerable adults at the centre of their work.

We are looking for someone with substantial welfare rights experience, excellent advocacy skills, and a strong understanding of social security legislation. Experience of tribunal representation, complex casework, and partnership working is essential. We would particularly welcome applications from individuals who have experience working alongside social care services, supporting disabled people, older adults, carers, care leavers or other vulnerable groups.

This role would suit an experienced adviser who enjoys problem solving, partnership working, and helping people navigate complex systems. It offers an excellent opportunity to combine technical welfare rights expertise with meaningful person-centred work that can have a life-changing impact on residents and their families.

Travel across Derbyshire may be required as part of the role. Hybrid working arrangements will be considered subject to service need.

Please refer to the Job and Person Profile for full details of the knowledge, skills and experience required. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate clearly within their personal statement how they meet each of the essential criteria.

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to regular contact with vulnerable adults and/or children. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent appointment, as each case will be considered individually.

Employees have access to a range of support, benefits and discounts including: 

• Generous Annual Leave Scheme 27 days annual leave per year (rising to 32 days after 5 years continuous service) plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata). Grade dependant.
• Local Government Pension Scheme: Providing financial security
• Supportive management and team
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional qualifications and ongoing training.
• Wellbeing Support Framework: Includes OH physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling.
• Employee Wellbeing Support: Fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, Employee Assistance Programme, and “Wisdom” app.
• Paid travel expenses if required to travel to other sites (Terms and conditions apply)
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards: a package of benefits, cashback and discounts.

More details on the benefits of working for the council can be found on our reward and recognition page

For more informational about the role or an informal chat, please email Greg.Downs@derbyshire.gov.uk

Provisional interview date: Friday 2 October and Monday 5 October 2026

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.