Book a training course

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.

See our current training programme.

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

Email your booking request to wrs.training@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Please include:

  • your name
  • the title of the course you wish to attend
  • if you have any special requirements

Bookings must be authorised by a manager, training co-ordinator, or equivalent person. You should attach their approval to the email or copy them into the booking.

If you pay for courses, please make sure you have appropriate funding approval before booking.

What happens after you book

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

  • an email confirmation
  • 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.

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

Course information

Our training programme includes a mix of face-to-face and online courses.

Face-to-face courses

One day courses run from 10am to 4pm unless we tell you otherwise.

Please arrive at 9.45am for registration as courses begin on time at 10am.

You may not be able to join the session if you arrive after 10.15am and we may still charge your organisation. We may also still charge you if you leave early.

Online courses

We deliver our online courses on Zoom. We will email training materials to you.

We split one day courses over two consecutive days. For example, a Wednesday and Thursday morning.

There will be regular scheduled breaks during our Zoom training sessions. For example, for three hour training sessions there will be one 30 minute break or two 15 minute breaks.

We will send you details of how to join the online course 10-14 days before the course.

Course fees

Our courses are £100 (whole day) or £50 (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 £75 for:

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

If your organisation pays for courses, we can only refund the booking fee for cancellations made in writing, at least five weeks before the date of the course.

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.