*Please note, there is a 10% early bird discount available if you book at least 4 weeks before the course date. The discount will be shown automatically at the Eventbrite checkout. The cost indicated includes the Eventbrite booking fee.
Turning unfair decisions into fair outcomes
Aim:
To develop the skills of advisers in order to increase the incidence and quality of advice on and assistance with challenging benefits decisions.
Overview:
Every day, people are wrongly refused benefits or awarded less than they should get. Many don’t realise they can challenge the decision, or don’t know how. This course will help you make sure those decisions don’t go unchallenged when they shouldn’t.
You’ll learn the practical skills to guide clients through the process, from spotting potential grounds for appeal to preparing persuasive written arguments and presenting evidence.
You will learn how to:
- Recognise when a benefits decision can be challenged
- Explain the process for disputes and appeals clearly to clients
- Write effective requests for reconsiderations and appeals
- Gather the right evidence to strengthen a case
- Prepare clients for appeal hearings and explain what to expect
Who should attend?
Ideal for benefits advisers, caseworkers, support staff, and community workers who want to strengthen their advocacy skills and help more clients secure the right outcomes.
Tutor Biography:
Vincent Wilson - Vincent has worked for the Citizens Advice service in Devon since 1985. As an experienced trainer, he has provided benefits training for many years to voluntary and statutory sector staff, covering all aspects of the benefits system from introductory courses to Tribunal Representation. He has been a benefits caseworker for most of his working life, having taken cases to the Upper Tribunal level. He has been involved with national Health Education England in the design of an e-learning module on social welfare legal support and money guidance for social prescribers and has provided training locally on the financial support available to people worst affected by the rise in the cost of living. He is Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Teignbridge.