About Us
Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing non-clinical, person-centred support to people in communities across Scotland. With over 50 years’ experience, we are fighting for a future where no one faces mental illness alone. We are changing society by changing attitudes, fighting stigma and influencing government to ensure a better of quality of life for those affected by poor mental health and mental illness. As a charity supporting over 10,000 people year, we believe everyone should have access to the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them.
About the Role:
The Welfare Rights Advisor is a specialist role within the National Advice and Support Service, providing one to one support to people, managing a case load and structured face to face appointments. This role is based at the Stafford Centre in Edinburgh, where you will support people experiencing or impacted by mental illness, providing specialist advice, advocacy and representation - helping people achieve the best possible outcomes. You will assist people to maximise their income by ensuring they receive all appropriate benefits and services, liaising with statutory bodies when required. You will empower people to self- manage their mental health, finances and build self-confidence.
You will adhere to rigorous guidelines and regulations ensuring that people receive the highest quality service possible and are committed to working to Type 3 SNSIAP.
You will work with a degree of autonomy and play a key role in promoting the service. Working closely with colleagues, you will contribute to creating an environment where people feel safe, respected, and able to relax, rebuild social skills, and enhance their quality of life. You will adhere to and role model the values of Change Mental Health.
About the Stafford Centre:
Change Mental Health offer hub-based support in Edinburgh from the Stafford Centre, offering a supportive environment where people can engage with group activities, peer support, and recovery-focused opportunities that help them develop social connections, enhance their skills, and improve their overall wellbeing. Activities include art, music, walking groups, wellbeing sessions, and confidence-building opportunities. The Resource Centre also delivers specialist projects such as the Signature Project for men experiencing PTSD, and it hosts the Veterans Community Café as part of its wider commitment to community mental health and recovery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Create and maintain a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, in line with Change Mental Health values.
- Work collaboratively as part of the staff team to maintain a positive atmosphere, share responsibilities, and ensure smooth day‑to‑day service delivery.
- Build professional, positive relationships with people accessing support, including new referrals, helping them identify needs, build confidence, and assessing their financial entitlements
- Provide specialist help and support to maximise income through claiming welfare benefits and accessing grants, representing at tribunals as and when required and liaising with a range of specialist agencies to achieve the best outcomes for people
- Support individuals to access wider community, health, and wellbeing supports, assisting smooth transitions to external resources.
- Develop, plan, and facilitate a range of outcome focused workshops that promote improved mental health, relationship with money, understanding of digital tools and resources and support people to achieve meaningful personal change.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, and local groups to strengthen referral pathways and raise awareness of the services.
- Promote the values of Change Mental Health in all aspects of your work and represent the services positively within the community.
- Maintain clear communication with colleagues, contributing to team meetings, reflective practice, and ongoing service development.
- Identify, record, and escalate safeguarding, wellbeing, or risk concerns promptly in line with organisational policy.
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records and case notes - adhering to SNSIAP
- Assist in implementing service policies, including health & safety, safeguarding, and data management, ensuring spaces remain safe, clean, and accessible.
- Contribute to Research and Development at a local level in support of National objectives to promote service improvements
- Support your line manager in developing impact reports, evidencing impact and identifying trends
- Contribute to the National Advice and Support Service activities and developments.
General Responsibilities
- Work in line with CMH values, policies and quality frameworks including the Quality Assurance framework, and SSSC Codes of Practice
- Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with Data Protection and Information Governance requirements.
- Carry out dynamic and ongoing risk assessment to protect the wellbeing and safety of individuals.
- Demonstrate professional boundaries and uphold CMH’s standards at all times.
- Participate in supervision, training, team meetings, and reflective practice to support continuous professional development.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and managers to deliver high‑quality, project‑based support across both services.
- Respond flexibly to service needs
- Actively promote Change Mental Health and contribute to organisational initiatives.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties relevant to the role as services continue to develop.
Essential Criteria:
- A recognised professional money/welfare advice training or qualification such as Wiser Advisor or CPAG
- Experience delivering structured 1:1 welfare right support and contributing to the development and review of outcome‑focused plans.
- Ability to organise workload effectively, work independently, and collaborate well within team.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive, trusting, and professional relationships with a diverse range of people.
- Demonstrated empathy, professional self‑awareness, and a reflective approach to practice.
- Commitment to trauma‑informed, person‑centred, strengths‑based and recovery‑focused practice.
- Understanding of risk assessment and safe decision‑making within community mental health support.
- Good digital and IT skills, including maintaining accurate and confidential records and experience of working with electronic case management systems (such as Advice Pro or CASTLE)
- Ability to remain calm, respectful, and professional when responding to challenging behaviour.
- PVG Membership / Basic Disclosure required for working with vulnerable adults.
- Recognition of the importance of professional support and supervision and fully take part in the processes that Change Mental Health establish
- Commitment to continuous professional development
Desirable Criteria
- Experience providing support within community‑based, recovery‑focused or non‑clinical mental health settings.
- Experience facilitating groups, workshops, or community‑based mental health sessions.
- Knowledge of local community resources, service pathways, and support networks.
- Experience supporting people facing trauma, social isolation, or complex life circumstances.
- Awareness of co‑production or lived‑experience‑led approaches.
- Understanding of relevant health and social care policy in Scotland.
General Duties:
- Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies.
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist.
- To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify a line manager promptly if there are any concerns.
- To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role.
- To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.
To apply:
Visit the Change Mental Health website to apply online.
Pay: £30,768.10 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
