Skip to main content
What types of page to search?

Popular pages: Undergraduate Postgraduate PhD Accommodation Research International students

Alternatively use our A-Z index.

Critical Skills for Welfare Rights Professionals

6 weekly online sessions on Tuesdays at 6-8pm, starting from Tuesday 30 September - we are no longer taking enrolments for this course.

Overview

Help with the completion of disability and Capability for Work forms comprises a core part of the work of many advice agencies.  A competent and professional approach is crucial to their work in the community and, of course, to the wellbeing of their clients. If clients receive help in submitting a form, which outlines clearly the effect of their medical conditions, and they understand which evidence is useful, there is a much better chance of a correct decision at the initial stages of a claim, thus avoiding the long-drawn out process of appeals.

This course guides you in navigating disability and sickness processes at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and looks at the most common forms a welfare rights advisor encounters. We relate the questions on each form to the criteria for each benefit as set out in the legislation. We also discuss the challenges posed by various medical conditions. At the end of the course, you'll have a full understanding of the criteria used to assess claims and be able to use this to help with a competent claim and explain the whole process clearly to your clients.

The course would be useful for welfare benefits volunteers and trainees. It will also be suitable if you work in other areas of advice and would like more information about the benefits which have a big impact on your clients’ financial and emotional security.

Syllabus

  • Week 1: Completing Department of Work and Pensions' forms: some general principles
  • Week 2: Personal independence payment claims
  • Week 3: Child Disability Living Allowance claims
  • Week 4: Attendance Allowance claims
  • Week 5: Limited Capability for Work Assessment (ESA50 and UC50 forms).
  • Week 6: What happens next - the medical assessment and the decision; proposed changes to the legislation and potential effects.

    Course lecturer

    Ruth Knox is an experienced welfare rights advisor, having worked with RAISE advice for over 10 years, and since retirement with Vauxhall Law Centre as a volunteer benefits adviser.  She has taught various Welfare Rights Courses with Liverpool John Moores and with the Continuing Education department of Liverpool University since 2014.. 

    Course fee

    • Standard fee: £95
    • Concession fee: £50.