Benefit and Welfare Rights Officer (SEND-Specific)
Pay: £13–£16 per hour (dependent on experience)
Contract Type: Part-time – Freelance / Associate / Self-Employed
Location: Hybrid – Office in Ashford and remote working
The SEND Consultancy Group Ltd is an advocacy business that champions for the inclusion and educational rights of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) age 0-25years. We’re seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, friendly and community-focused Benefit & Welfare Rights Officer to deliver specialist advice, advocacy and practical support to families navigating the complexities of welfare entitlement. This role suits someone with a passion for person-centred advocacy and the confidence to support families with empathy and clarity. This role aims to help both the child and young person and their carers.
You’ll provide SEND-focused welfare benefits advice to clients including support with: Disability Living Allowance (children & adults), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Blue Badge applications, Mandatory reconsiderations and benefit appeals, Tribunal preparation and representation and financial support options (e.g. travel grants, healthcare costs)
- Conduct thorough benefit checks to identify entitlements
- Guide families through application processes by writing applications and evidence gathering
- Prepare and submit mandatory reconsiderations and appeals
- Represent clients at DWP Tribunals
- Advocate with DWP, local authorities and third-party services
- Maintain accurate case records
- Signpost clients to specialist services (e.g. housing, debt, employment) that fall outside the remit of this service
- Deliver benefits awareness sessions for colleagues and professionals
- Contribute to service development and process improvements
- Work independently, prioritising caseloads and meeting deadlines
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in welfare rights advice, ideally with tribunal representation
- Excellent understanding of benefits legislation and case law
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with families of SEND, with the ability to show warmth and empathy
- Confident and professional written and verbal communicator
- Self-motivated, organised and deadline-oriented
- Passionate about inclusive practices and SEND-focused advocacy
- Ability to maintain calm and empathy in sensitive situations
- Comfortable using virtual platforms and managing hybrid working
- Ideally based in Kent for office-based work
- You must be able to identify your own learning and development needs and stay up to date with welfare legislation, case law, and SEND reforms
- Be familiar with the SEND landscape
- DBS check required (covered by The SEND Consultancy Group Ltd)
- Right to work in the UK required
- Safeguarding induction provided for all new starters
- Employment and Reference checks
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid structure with a welcoming Ashford-based office
- Creative autonomy
- Opportunities to shape SEND advocacy
- A warm and collaborative team passionate about meaningful impact
Ready to join a dynamic consultancy making a difference in the lives of SEND families?
To apply, send your covering letter demonstrating how your skills, experience and qualifications match this job role and send your CV to info@thesendconsultancygroup.co.uk.
We would also like to see example of your work and suggest you send an anonymised/redacted portfolio of past advocacy, welfare advice, applications and tribunal work or benefit guidance materials.
Job Types: Part-time, Freelance
Pay: £13.00-£17.00 per hour
Expected hours: 1 – 12 per week
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Location:
- Kent TN23 1PJ (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kent TN23 1PJ
Application deadline: 15/08/2025
Reference ID: 0003