Job Vacancies

Volunteers are sought to join and work within one of our benefit advice team to enhance the advice provision and support the advisors. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals considering a career in advice or law. Training will be provided. To learn more about the Organisation go to https://www.communitylawservice.org.uk/

Welfare Benefits Advice
Our Welfare Benefits team provides casework to individuals seeking advice on all aspects of welfare benefits. This includes:
• advice on available benefits
• checking eligibility for benefits
• support with complex claiming processes/forms
• checking, advising on and explaining decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenues and Customs and Local Authorities
• advice and casework in relation to challenging benefit decisions, including registering reviews and appeals, gathering evidence and writing submissions.
• Advice in relation to benefit overpayments.

Benefits of Volunteering:
1) Experience of client interviews.
2) Familiarity and use of a cloud-based case management system.
3) Experience of drafting letters and other documents.
4) Experience of legal research to further cases.
5) Experience of working as part of a busy team delivering advice to the public.
6) Training and mentoring to build skills and knowledge.
7) Office experience.
8) All expenses reimbursed with valid receipts.

Main Duties:
1) To be mentored by advisors and provide assistance as required with client appointments.
2) To provide support to advisors with legal research and drafting of letters in relation to casework.
3) After appropriate training, to assist with some aspects of client advice, including complex form completion – most commonly disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment.
4) To provide other support to assist advisors, including adding client details to the case management system, progressing cases with clients, updating casenotes and relevant third parties and more general administrative duties.
5) To attend the office at a regular day and time each week.

Time Commitment
A commitment to attend ALL induction training sessions will be a prerequisite. Alongside the induction training, volunteers will have the opportunity to commence shadowing an adviser for one session a week. This is optional, but would be helpful to assist learning. Further training will be scheduled as deemed appropriate.

The training will be delivered in person, at CLS Northampton office in Hazelwood Road NN1 1LG.

Induction Training schedule:
Session 1 – Thursday 7th May 10am – 12 noon Introduction to CLS
Session 2 – Thursday 14th May 10am – 12 noon Welfare Benefits overview
Session 3 – Thursday 21st May 10am – 12 noon Introduction to Personal Independence Payment
Session 4 – Thursday 28th May 10am – 12 noon Introduction to Universal Credit
Session 5 – Thursday 4th June 10am – 12 noon Introduction to Debt
Session 6 – Thursday 11th June 10am – 12 noon Advice Pro – Case Management System

See below for application form and job description / person specification

Closing date for applications 5pm 16th April 2026.

Applications should be emailed to enquiries@communitylawservice.org.uk or posted to 49-53 Hazelwood Road, Northampton, NN1 1LG