The Welfare Rights Service run training courses on subjects such as Introduction to Benefits, Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payments. We also run courses on other social welfare topics, such as housing and debt.

View the directory of training courses

Before making a booking

Our courses are for professional staff, advisers and volunteers who support local residents. We also invite bookings from organisations who provide advice in other areas.

Please check that the course is suitable for you. Some courses have criteria that you must meet, for example a particular level of experience.

To discuss whether the course is suitable for you, contact the Welfare Rights Training team.

Making a booking

On the booking form please name the course participant, and the course title they are attending. Please tell us on your booking form if you have any special requirements.

Your booking must have the correct authorisation. Please make sure you have appropriate funding approval before booking.

Download a course booking form

Once you've completed your booking form, email it to wrs.training@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Please note: We can only refund the booking fee if you cancel, in writing, at least five weeks before the date of the course.

What happens next

When we receive your booking, we'll send you:

• a confirmation letter
• an invoice (if you have to pay)
• joining instructions (10 to 14 days before the course).

We'll send the confirmation and joining instructions by email, unless you request otherwise. If you don't receive these, please contact the Welfare Rights Training team.

Please note: Do not attend a course unless you have received confirmation of your place.

Course information

The courses are usually held in Woolwich, and run from 10am to 4pm unless stated otherwise. Your joining instructions will tell you the venue address.

You'll need to arrive at 9.45am for registration. If you arrive after 10.15am, you may not be able to join the session. We may charge your organisation if you're late or you leave early.

Please let us know beforehand if you're going to have difficulty with the times.

We provide tea and coffee mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but lunch is not provided. There are shops and cafes close by.

Accessibility

The venues are wheelchair accessible, and you can reserve disabled parking by contacting the Welfare Rights Training team. Our notes are in font size 14pt - please let us know if you need larger than this.

Course fees

Our courses are £90 (whole day) or £55 (part day and seminars) for the following organisations:

• Housing associations (including voluntary services run by housing associations)
• Social Enterprises (including voluntary services run by Social Enterprises)
• Solicitors, Trade Unions and similar organisations
• Advisers from outside the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The courses are free for the following organisations:

• Royal Borough of Greenwich Council employees and advisers
• Health Service employees
• Local community groups or voluntary sector advice services who work with Greenwich residents.

Cancellations

You must make a cancellation in writing, or by email or fax, at least one week before the course.

We charge an administration fee of £55 for:

• all cancellations received with less than a week's notice (irrespective of the reason for cancellation)
• non-attendance without cancellation
• incomplete attendance.

In-house courses

We can also come to your organisation or team, and tailor our training to suit your needs. The session could be anything from an hour to a whole day. These courses are best for groups between eight and 20 participants.

For more information on how we can help with your organisations training needs, and in-house course fees, contact the Welfare Rights Training team.