Housing and benefits officer

• Providing advice, assistance, and support to individuals and families seeking housing solutions, and actively working to reduce homelessness in the community
• To contribute to the provision of high performing customer centred financial assessment service
• Build relationships with those at risk within the community, support them and offer realistic housing options advice to prevent homelessness
• Develop, update review, and implement Personalised Housing Plans for customers
• Assess Housing Needs: Conduct thorough assessments of individuals and families to determine their housing needs and eligibility for different housing options
• Responsibility for undertaking any revision to entitlement/contribution for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support including more complex calculations in respect of self-employed, students, etc
• Make decisions on and implement Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support backdating requests
• Liaise with external partners, including local authorities, housing associations, support agencies, to facilitate housing solutions and ensure effective service delivery
• Work with Finance and Housing and External Partners including the Department for Work and Pensions and where appropriate the Business Transformation Partner to ensure delivery and performance targets are met
• Develop working relationships with colleagues, as well as key partners including statutory services, local landlords, and other housing organisations
• Occasional work outside of regular working hours, in response to emergency situations
• Maintain Records: Accurately record all interactions, assessments, and decisions in line with relevant policies and procedures, ensuring confidentiality and data protection guidelines are strictly followed
• Attend Meetings: Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and relevant training sessions to stay updated on changes in housing legislation, policies, and procedures

• Previous experience working in a similar role, preferably within housing options, homelessness prevention, or social housing
• Knowledge of housing legislation, policies, and procedures, including the Homelessness Reduction Act, the Children Act, the Care Act, and the Welfare Reform Act
• Knowledge of relevant services and benefits to best support applicants experiencing housing problems and at risk of homelessness
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and accessible manner
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage workload efficiently, and meet deadlines
• Educated in a relevant area of study at NVQ Level 4 or equivalent
• Experience providing an effective service to members of the public
• Experience working alongside vulnerable customers
• Substantial practical experience of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit/Support assessment work in a back-office environment
• Experience of using a PC to update records and extract information
• At least 2-3 years' experience in a similar role
• A minimum of 2 years' experience working for a Local Authority
• Very good levels of Literacy
• Able to understand and follow instructions & policies
• Able to use initiative
• Excellent organisational skills
• Good written/verbal communication skills
• Able to work as part of a team
• A non-discriminatory approach
• Property Management: 2 years (required)
• Customer service: 2 years (required)
• Enhanced DBS certificate (required)

Accrued Holiday Pay (on top of hourly rate)