Advice Worker (Take-Up)

About The Role

Working Hours: 2 x 35 Hours Per Week 
Contract Type:  Permanent, Full-Time
Working Style: Onsite - Employees carry out their job primarily from a physical workplace, such as an office
Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance
Closing Date: 11.59pm, 10 July 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face  

This Role is Subject to:

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. 

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history. 

Essential Car Documentation- This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.   

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here here . We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

The role provides frontline face to face advice on welfare benefits and other sources of financial help to citizens who have been assessed as requiring a care package. The post is 35 hours a week, based at Harpurhey District office with a city-wide remit. You will assist clients to navigate all stages of the process from benefit checks and form-filling to mandatory reconsiderations and lodging appeals, which are passed to our Appeals Team to provide representation at First-tier Tribunal hearings. 

The post holder is part of Retained Advice whose purpose is to ensure citizens can access social justice by securing entitlement to the welfare benefits they need & deserve. We are a preventative service whose outcomes have both a positive quantitative and qualitative impact on residents’ lives. 
You will be expected to:

Deliver accessible and appropriate advice services mainly by way of home visits and telephone advice, which meet the diverse needs of service users and comply with relevant quality assurance standards.

Work collaboratively alongside referrers from the city-wide Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and our Charging Team.
Conduct a robust analysis of a range of information including Liquid Logic records, take instructions and commission medical evidence to best support the client’s case.

Maintain statistical and confidential case records to document all actions and interventions, which facilitate both continuity and expedient progression of the case.

Provide a high-quality technical support and consultancy service to a range of stakeholders.

For an informal discussion, please email the hiring manager, Nick Smith at nicholas.smith @manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

About the Candidate

You will have:

• A thorough knowledge of the different benefits affecting those who are of working age and those who have reached state pension age, as well as ‘mixed age’ couples.
• A strong understanding of the relevant legislation containing rules for social security benefits and administration.
• The ability to keep abreast of changes in the benefits system and precedent case law.
• Interpersonal and communication skills that allow you to persuade and influence as well as advise and guide people.
• Great analytical skills with a proven ability to understand and summarise complex issues.
• The skill to exercise initiative and take independent actions while dealing with a high caseload which can present unanticipated problems.
• The ability to think about and understand health-related concerns within the wider context of an individual’s life experience, family and social context.
• Sufficient resilience to cope with the role which can be emotionally intense and demanding. 

Staff carry out duties mindful of the Our Manchester strategy & behaviours and the corporate / strategic objectives while adhering to embedded working practices around Information Governance, safeguarding policies, Contact Centre referrals and so forth.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• Have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programm e or any MCC positive action programm e

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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