Welfare rights officer

Welfare rights officers help people understand their rights and releveant laws and legislation. Some provide support across a range of topics whilst others specialise in one area such as housing, or with one client group such as carers.

You'll need to have good presentation skills, be a great negotiator, have good digital and number skills and the ability to understand legislation and laws.

Role overview

Your role might include:

• checking people are claiming all the benefits they can get
• helping people fill in forms
• working with benefits agencies and other organisations
• learning about relevant laws and welfare reforms
• enabling people to represent themselves where possible, or speaking on their behalf.

You’ll usually work in a public advice centre or for a charity, community group or housing association. 

Skills and experience

If you’re applying for an entry level role such as a welfare rights admin or assistant, your employer might expect qualifications showing good English and number skills. 

It might be useful to have experience working in a similar role or with people who need care and support. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering (for example in a citizens advice centre) or as part of an apprenticeship.

For more experienced roles you might need a qualification or a degree in a relevant subject such as community development or social policy. 

Opportunities

You could do a vocational qualification whilst you're working, for example a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or a qualification in policy or community support. Your employer might be able to fund this or you may be able to self-fund through an advanced learner loan.

You could move into specialist advice, for example disability benefits, or progress into management roles.