Benefits & Welfare Rights Advisor (Special educational needs and disabilities - DLA / Blue Badge)

Benefit and Welfare Rights Advisor - (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 Advisor 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 .

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

Application question(s):
Do you have direct experience completing DLA child applications?
Do you have direct experience completing PIP applications?
Do you have experience with mandatory reconsiderations?
Do you have experience with attending DWP Tribunals?

Location:
Kent TN23 1PJ (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kent TN23 1PJ

Application deadline: 15/08/2025
Reference ID: 0003