Welfare, Benefits and Social Liaison Advisor

The role combines specialist welfare benefits advice and casework with liaison, advocacy, and coordination across statutory and voluntary services. The aim is to improve patient outcomes by supporting access toappropriate services, promoting independence, and contributing to effective discharge planning and community care. The post holder willbe responsible fordeliveringa high-quality welfare advice and liaison service, ensuring that patients and their families receivetimely,accurate, andappropriate support. The post holder will work as part of the integrated Sickle Cell andThalassaemiateam to provide holistic support addressing the welfare, social, and practical needs of patients and their families. They will remain up to date with legislative changes in welfare benefits and associated systems, ensuring that colleagues and service users are informed of relevant updates and implications. The post holder will contribute to service development byidentifyingemerging patient needs and supporting improvements in service delivery. They will also provide support to patients and their families with bereavement advice whererequired, ensuringappropriate referralsare made for further intervention and specialist support when necessary.,

• Work closely with the sickle cell and thalassaemia patient population to address their non-medical, welfare and social needs
• Form robust relationships with voluntary sector bodies in Hackney to explore opportunities for patients to access additional services and support
• Critically appraise the current Homerton discharge pathway to identify opportunities for improved liaison, welfare input and sign-posting
• Deliver a clear and accessible pathway for the referral of newly identified cases into the service
• Carry out holistic assessments of client's / family's needs, including welfare and financial needs, and develop a management plan in conjunction with the client / their family
• Hold responsibility for implementing the management plan with regular reviews alongside the client / their family
• Provide specialist welfare benefits advice, including support with applications, mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and tribunals
• Support service users in completing benefit forms and written documentation, particularly where they are vulnerable or have additional needs
• Work closely with the wider MDT to ensure patients maximise access to welfare and support services
• Always act as an advocate on behalf of clients and their families, including representing them in meetings or formal settings where appropriate
• Provide bereavement advice and support to patients and families, referring to appropriate services when required
  
  Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home. Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times. We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly. Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits. Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.