Job summary
Welfare and Benefits Adviser Band 6
Cancer Division, Surgery and Cancer Board
Fixed Term 3 years
Part Time - 26 hours to include Friday on site
UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre andUniversity College Hospital
Coping with a cancer diagnosis or complex haematology treatment is hard, but for some patients it also brings new money worries and unforeseen financial costs. We are looking for someone who can help patients and their carers find out what they are entitled to and assist them to access this financial support so they can concentrate on their treatment
We need you to have good experience in providing specialist benefits advice and advocacy within an organisation such as the NHS, Citizens Advice or similar. You should have relevant recent training and experience of client centred specialist benefits advice work with a general knowledge of housing, employment and consumer law as well as experience of tribunal representation.
Strong communication skills, a proven ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines and an attention to detail are just some of the skills you will require to work in our friendly and supportive department based in the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, Huntley Street London WC1E 6DH.
Main duties of the job
You will be working with in-patients and out-patients with a cancer or haematological diagnosis such as sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. You will meet with patients or their representative face to face, via MS Teams or phone, assess their welfare and benefits needs, based on your good understanding of the support available, and assist with applications for benefits and grants. You will need to help prepare mandatory reconsiderations and tribunal packs. You may be required to support the patient throughout the review process. You will need to communicate with multiple agencies and maintain accurate and clear paperwork and communications.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
To fully assess patient/carers financial and social circumstances and to agree and implement a case work plan appropriate to the individual either in person or on the telephone. This requires the ability to deal with complex and sensitive information, often in a highly emotive atmosphere. You will deal with vulnerable adults or those with mental health issues as well as those dealing with serious and terminal illness.
You will need to be able to deal with and advise recently bereaved individuals appropriately and sensitively.
Understand the limits of the service and appropriate needs of the patient/client, referring to other support organisations such the Citizens Advice and Macmillan Financial Guidance Service, as well as statutory organisations when appropriate and in the interests of the client.
You will provide practical assistance in making claims and liaising with benefits offices and other agencies on behalf of the client.
Act as an advocate for patients with local authorities, employers, banks, public utilities, the Department for Works and Pensions and any other agencies involved in financial, employment or housing.
You will assist with appeals and representation at Tribunals attending when it is practical and helpful to do so.
Make applications for individual grants from charitable organisations, in particular Macmillan.
Develop service links with external organisations, particularly referring hospitals and support organisations to ensure that patients receive a cohesive service. Keep up to date with changes to benefit entitlement and relevant changes to legislation affecting the provision of the service, eg Universal Credit.
You must have general knowledge of housing legislation, Equalities Act, Social Services and local authority changes to legislation, Social Security Act and Community Care Act.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
To fully assess patient/carers financial and social circumstances and to agree and implement a case work plan appropriate to the individual either in person or on the telephone. This requires the ability to deal with complex and sensitive information, often in a highly emotive atmosphere. You will deal with vulnerable adults or those with mental health issues as well as those dealing with serious and terminal illness.
You will need to be able to deal with and advise recently bereaved individuals appropriately and sensitively.
Understand the limits of the service and appropriate needs of the patient/client, referring to other support organisations such the Citizens Advice and Macmillan Financial Guidance Service, as well as statutory organisations when appropriate and in the interests of the client.
You will provide practical assistance in making claims and liaising with benefits offices and other agencies on behalf of the client.
Act as an advocate for patients with local authorities, employers, banks, public utilities, the Department for Works and Pensions and any other agencies involved in financial, employment or housing.
You will assist with appeals and representation at Tribunals attending when it is practical and helpful to do so.
Make applications for individual grants from charitable organisations, in particular Macmillan.
Develop service links with external organisations, particularly referring hospitals and support organisations to ensure that patients receive a cohesive service. Keep up to date with changes to benefit entitlement and relevant changes to legislation affecting the provision of the service, eg Universal Credit.
You must have general knowledge of housing legislation, Equalities Act, Social Services and local authority changes to legislation, Social Security Act and Community Care Act.
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree and/or an appropriate professional qualification/equivalent good service experience
Experience
Essential
- Previous welfare and benefits advice, form completion and caseload experience in a large and complex organisation preferably within the NHS, Citizens Advice or similar organisation
- A good understanding of the commitment and aims of the service
- Relevant recent training and up-dates in welfare and benefits and experience of client centred welfare and benefits advice and case work
- General knowledge of housing, employment and consumer law
Desirable
- Experience of tribunal representation
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Be able to assess and solve complex problems relating to welfare and benefits, showing a wide knowledge of the current services and support available and how these can be successfully accessed or signposted.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively both verbally and in writing with a wide range of audiences including patients, their families, colleagues both clinical and non-clinical and the DWP
- Be able to engage individuals and teams to educate and promote the service
- Evidence good IT skills including Word, Outlook and Excel
- Have a good understanding of the social and economic issues affecting society and the implications for providing clients with a service that encourages self-management and empowerment
- Understand the issues facing patients with long term and terminal illness and disability and how this impact on the advice needed.
Desirable
- Have experience to assist in the support, development and motivation of volunteers and colleagues in delivering an excellent service
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree and/or an appropriate professional qualification/equivalent good service experience
Experience
Essential
- Previous welfare and benefits advice, form completion and caseload experience in a large and complex organisation preferably within the NHS, Citizens Advice or similar organisation
- A good understanding of the commitment and aims of the service
- Relevant recent training and up-dates in welfare and benefits and experience of client centred welfare and benefits advice and case work
- General knowledge of housing, employment and consumer law
Desirable
- Experience of tribunal representation
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Be able to assess and solve complex problems relating to welfare and benefits, showing a wide knowledge of the current services and support available and how these can be successfully accessed or signposted.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively both verbally and in writing with a wide range of audiences including patients, their families, colleagues both clinical and non-clinical and the DWP
- Be able to engage individuals and teams to educate and promote the service
- Evidence good IT skills including Word, Outlook and Excel
- Have a good understanding of the social and economic issues affecting society and the implications for providing clients with a service that encourages self-management and empowerment
- Understand the issues facing patients with long term and terminal illness and disability and how this impact on the advice needed.
Desirable
- Have experience to assist in the support, development and motivation of volunteers and colleagues in delivering an excellent service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre
Huntley Street London
London
WC1E 6AG
Employer's website
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
