Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner

Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioners perform various roles in local authorities or their contractors, in software companies that provide processing services to authorities (such as benefit assessment, revenues administration and collection or customer service) and in, housing associations or organisations supporting people in their dealings with local authorities.

These organisations can range in size and employ from 10 to over 1,000 staff. They deal with many aspects of council tax, business rates, housing benefit, local council tax support and related matters. Organisations have different structures, with some officers only dealing with one of these aspects and others dealing with multiple aspects. Consequently, the exact responsibilities of the role will vary depending on the employer and exact role in which the individual is employed.

Benefits of an IRRV Apprenticeship

• The IRRV Apprenticeship can be tailored to the specific work area that the apprentice works in. A variety of learning products enable the apprentice to acquire rounded knowledge and also gain a broader understanding of Revenues and Benefits. This will enable them to deliver improved customer service. 

• An IRRV apprentice obtains IRRV membership, which is included in the fee. This adds significant value to the contract. The apprentice gains access to: the IRRV's prestigious monthly journal, Insight; the IRRV's monthly newsletter containing the latest Government announcements/legislative changes; membership of their local IRRV association which allows free access to seminars and networking events. Subject to agreement with their employer, the apprentice could also attend the IRRV's flagship annual conference and the spring conference to further their knowledge and understanding.

• The key benefit for the apprentice, and the employer, Successful apprentices will be awarded a Certificate in Local Taxation, Revenues and Welfare Benefits; this would enable them to become a Technician member of the Institute. It is important to stress this is separate to our regulated qualifications with OFQUAL. If the apprentice continues to be a member of the IRRV, they will be able to use the designatory letters ‘Tech IRRV’ after their name. This increases the status of the individual and shows that the employer has a highly skilled, customer centric workforce. This status of membership is often part of the essential criteria, requested by local authorities and the private sector, when advertising technical, supervisory and management roles.