Advocacy & Appeals Worker
The Resource Centre Derry
Employer Location:Phone Number: 02871352832
Email: laura.mcnulty@resourcecentrederry.com
Job description
The Advocacy and Appeals worker will work as part of a small team providing Advocacy and representation to clients living in the greater Shantallow and Outer North area. .
Responsibilities
- To provide advice and when necessary representation to appeal stage.
- To evaluate the cases of clients referred for representation, and to identify the appropriate course of action based on the available information.
- To prepare clients for appeals hearings, ensuring they are aware of the independence of the Appeal Service and the procedures adhered to at appeal hearings.
- To manage an on-going caseload delivering effective advocacy and representation on behalf of clients, within any relevant timescales.
- To liaise with clients, generalist advice services, medical practitioners and others to ensure that individual cases are progressed appropriately.
- To maintain accurate records of work undertaken on behalf of clients, including outcomes and awards secured at hearings.
- To engage with SSA departments on behalf of clients to ensure all avenues are exhausted prior to appeal hearing stage.
- Where appropriate request statement of reasons and/or set asides on behalf of clients.
- To refer specialist cases onto appropriate agency i.e. Law Centre for advice and guidance.
- To contribute to the effective management and development of the advocacy and Tribunal Representation Service through the provision of monthly reports, case studies and other documentation on a timely basis.
- To actively contribute to the on-going development of the advocacy and Tribunal Representation Service through the improvement of processes and the sharing of information within the staff team.
- Any other duties consistent with the purpose of the post.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential Skills
- A recognised qualification in advice provision either Citizens Advice or Law Centre.
- Successful completion of Tribunal/Advocacy training either Citizens Advice or Law Centre.
- A minimum of 2 years experience providing representation to clients at hearings within the past 5 years.
- A minimum of 2 years experience in providing generalist advice.
- Evidence of managing an on-going complex caseload on behalf of clients.
- An understanding of the appeals process and errors in law, set asides and commissioners decisions relating to the appeals process.
- Knowledge of Welfare Reform and impact on benefits and appeals.
- Case recording system.
- IT systems.
- Ability to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions.
- Ability to negotiate and provide effective representation on behalf of clients.
- Good standard of written and spoken English.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- Able to use initiative.
Desirable Skills
- Law Degree.
- Medical Training.
- Relevant SSA legislation.
- Medical conditions.
Further Information
Worktime: Monday to Friday. Fixed term contract, funding for this post has been secured for a period of 14 months from date of commencement and continued employment beyond that date will be subject to further funding being secured. This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.
- Vacancy ID
- 1587259
- Job ref.
- AAW 01/23
- Job Sector
- Legal
- Area
- Derry or Londonderry
- Location
- Derry/Londonderry
- Salary
- £20,436 per annum.
- No. vacancies
- 1
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Weekly hours
- 30
- Published date
- 30/01/2023
- Closing date
- 10/02/2023
- Worktime
- Monday to Friday.