Manchester City Council
Benefits Officer (Apprentice)
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Working Hours and Contract Type
- Working hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)
- Contract type: Permanent
- Working style: Hybrid
Application Deadline and Interview Details
- 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
Additional Requirements
- You must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship.
- You must 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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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 include:
- 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.
Essential Criteria
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 within agreed timescales.
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
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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.
Working for Manchester City Council
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.
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