Working hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)
Contract type: Permanent
Working style: Hybrid
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.
 

This is an apprenticeship role and has additional requirements: 

You must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. You must also 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. Please note that 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.

This role is an apprenticeship role, and the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to the Level 4 Revenues and Benefits Welfare Practitioner. This apprenticeship will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Please note:  As part of this apprenticeship, you may be required to undertake English and/or Maths learning where this is relevant to the apprenticeship standard, the role requirements, or your existing qualifications. Applicants should be willing to complete any required learning and assessment as part of the apprenticeship programme.

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. You will 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.
For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Alexandra Corden at Alexandra.corden@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 953 8246 to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications. 
 
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 includes:
  • 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.

We welcome applicants who have previously attended further or higher education and are looking to develop new skills in a different area. 
 

Please note that applicants who already hold a qualification at Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Practitioner or above, or a closely related subject, may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding. Eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with apprenticeship funding rules and guidance from the training provider 

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in starting or developing a career in the Council in the Benefits Service.

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 withing agreed timescales

For guidance on how to write your personal statement, please visit How to Apply - Manchester City Council.

If you’re invited to assessment, we’ll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.
 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 

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 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. 

 

Accessible Formats: 
Use ReciteMe  through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour. 

Calculate your take home pay. 

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Ready to apply?

Location

, , Manchester, , United Kingdom

Job ID

9142

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We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

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These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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