Apprentice Benefit Advisor

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Please apply by clicking the 'Apply Now' button below. Full information, including the Job Description, Person Specification and other details about Runnymede Borough Council, is available in the Extra Information attachment.

If it is difficult for you to apply online please contact us at Human Resources, Runnymede Borough Council, Civic Centre, Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2AH.

Email: humanresources@runnymede.gov.uk. or Telephone: 01932 425517.

Apprentice Welfare Benefit Advisor

Annual Salary £24,264 - £29,696 for 37 hrs per week

Would you like to complete a Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits apprenticeship whilst working as a Benefit Advisor? Are you enthusiastic, passionate and keen to learn? You will be working with an established team of Welfare Benefit experts and providing an efficient, effective and high quality service, supporting customers across a range of channels.

We are looking for a full-time Apprentice Welfare Benefit Advisor to deliver information, guidance on Housing Benefits and Council Tax Support, Discretionary payments and when necessary, other council and Department for Work and Pensions services.

About the role
This role as a Apprentice Welfare Benefit Advisor is varied and an integral part of our team, providing valuable daily support to our fast-paced service. You will be expected to deliver excellent customer service via telephone, in writing and face to face, in order to provide, collect and process information.

You will also be providing support across the Benefits service by:

- Checking new claims and maintaining existing claims

- processing applications for discretionary awards

- providing welfare advice and support

- taking payments and arranging repayments

- working with our Financial Inclusion officer to recover overpayments

- completing ad-hoc administration duties.

About you

The candidate will have a keen sense of accuracy and be adept at learning a wide range of systems in order to be as effective as possible when handling enquiries and making decisions on entitlement.

To be successful in this role we expect you to be a keen learner and willing to learn from colleagues, accept feedback in a positive way, show initiative and contribute to developing processes. Be able to take responsibility of your own work at the same time as being part of the wider team.

IT skills such as the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) are essential. Training will be provided on internal systems.

About Runnymede

Runnymede is an ambitious, passionate, and progressive council with a forward- thinking attitude and award-winning departments. As a Borough Council, we are committed to our four core values and goals which we demonstrate through our ongoing policies and projects. We are always keen to improve our services and welcome innovative and proactive individuals who are open minded and have a positive approach in supporting our vision.

Benefits

• Hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home
• Flexible working 7am-7pm (Core hours are 10-11.30am & 2.30pm-4pm) and Flexi-leave
• 28 Days annual leave, plus 8 days bank holidays and 1 extra day at Christmas
• Excellent Pension Scheme, including access to an Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Free Parking
• Training and development opportunities
• Payment of one professional membership per annum
• Cycle to work + further related discounts
• Season ticket loan
• UK Healthcare plan after 1 years’ service
• Dental insurance plan after 3 years’ service

How to apply

Please click the Apply Now Button

For more information on the role including the job description please see the extra information section

We are passionate about building an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds, skills and abilities. If it is difficult for you to apply online, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@runnymede.gov.uk or on 01932 425527 who will be able to assist you.

For an informal chat about this role please contact Ed Bowen, Housing Benefit Technical Manager on 01932 425377 or email ed.bowen@runnymede.gov.uk.

Closing date: Sunday, 13th July 2025

Interview date: Thursday, 24th July 2025

If you do not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date you have not been successful on this occasion. Thank you for considering Runnymede Borough Council.

Runnymede Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with care support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be requested to present your identification at the interview stage and there will be several checks conducted during the onboarding process inclusive of an enhanced DBS check for specified roles.