Benefits Officer (Apprentice)

About The Role

Working hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working) Contract type: Permanent Working style: Hybrid Closing date: 11.59pm, 20 October 2026 Interview method / date: First stage assessment: week commencing 26 October 2026. Second stage interview: week commencing 9 November 2026.

This is an apprenticeship role and has additional requirements:

You must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. You must also have lived in the UK, Ireland, the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for the previous three years. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

This role is open to Manchester residents only

Use the Council Finder to check your local authority is Manchester. Applicants outside of Manchester will be rejected.

This role is a apprenticeship role, and the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to the Level 4 Revenues and Benefits Welfare Practitioner. This apprenticeship will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Please note: As part of this apprenticeship, you may be required to undertake English and/or Maths learning where this is relevant to the apprenticeship standard, the role requirements, or your existing qualifications. Applicants should be willing to complete any required learning and assessment as part of the apprenticeship programme.

About the Role As a Benefits Officer (Apprentice), you will join a team dedicated to delivering high-quality outcomes for Manchester residents. You will gain experience in assessing benefit claims, processing changes in circumstances, applying legislation and guidance, and providing support to customers, developing valuable skills and knowledge within a busy and rewarding service. You'll help thousands of residents each year by administering Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, helping people access financial assistance with their housing and council tax costs. The Benefits Officer Apprentice role is an exciting opportunity to begin a career in local government, contributing to the delivery of an accurate and customer-focused service while undertaking accredited training through the Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuations (IRRV). In this role you will:

• Provide an accurate, efficient and prompt assessment service for a range of benefits, using a range of bespoke ICT systems to carry out the role. You will communicate effectively with residents, landlords and colleagues to create the best outcome for our residents.
• Ensure a “whole service approach” is taken, working closely with colleagues in other parts of the service to ensure correct liability and to prevent recovery action where appropriate.
• Learn, understand and apply complex guidance and procedures in relation to benefits claim processing, and maintain and update this knowledge.
• Take ownership and responsibility for own casework and assist and support colleagues and teams within the unit where directed.

For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Alexandra Corden at [email protected] or call 0161 953 8246 to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.  Pre-employment checks If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and includes:

• BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) clearance - this post is subject to BPSS checks. You will therefore be required to consent to and comply with BPSS checking requirements prior to commencing in this post. This check involves verification of identity; nationality and immigration status; employment history (past 3 years) and basic criminal record check.

About the Candidate

We welcome applicants who have previously attended further or higher education and are looking to develop new skills in a different area.

Please note that applicants who already hold a qualification at Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Practitioner or above, or a closely related subject, may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding. Eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with apprenticeship funding rules and guidance from the training provider

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in starting or developing a career in the Council in the Benefits Service.

We'll use the following essential criteria to decide which candidates to invite to assessment. Use your personal statement to provide evidence of how you meet each one, supported by relevant examples:

• You can communicate our regulations and decisions clearly to customers and key contacts, so they can understand and act on it
• You can analyse our guidance, and the information the customer has sent to us, and make informed decisions
• You can manage competing priorities and deliver work withing agreed timescales

For guidance on how to write your personal statement, please visit How to Apply - Manchester City Council.

If you’re invited to assessment, we’ll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile. Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Applicants who meet the essential shortlisting criteria and are eligible under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme will be progressed to the assessment stage.

Support and Adjustments

If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role. Find out more about our inclusion and wellbeing.

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You’ll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service
• Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
• Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• A defined benefit pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council

Our commitment to inclusion

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Accessible Formats:
Use ReciteMe  through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour.

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