Benefits and Housing Needs Assistant - Hackney Council

Location

Hackney, Greater London | United Kingdom

Job description

Job Title: Benefits and Housing Needs Assistant x3 

Contract type:  Temporary 6-months+ (job assignments are often, extended by clients on a longer-term basis).

Sector:  Local Government

Department : 

Location: Hackney

Start Date: Early March 2024

Hours Per Week: Full-time position 

Start Time: 9:00 AM 

End Time: 17:00 PM

PAYE Rate: £20.76 ph ph (including 12.07% holiday pay)

We are looking for 3 Benefits and Housing Needs Support Officers to work on the following teams 2 x Lettings(Allocations) Team & 1 x Medical Team. Experience in social housing is desirable. 

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Service delivery for housing benefits and support, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, discretionary payments, and related appeals. Also includes Tell Us Once, welfare reform, homeless prevention, and housing advice, as well as homeless assessments and reviews, the Councils Housing Register, lettings of social housing, and related initiatives. Additionally, this covers housing supply and procurement, temporary accommodation management, maintenance, complaints, Member enquiries, and FOIs.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

   To provide comprehensive and reliable support for both benefits and housing needs

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN DUTIES:

• To effectively address all inquiries and referrals related to discretionary awards, budgeting, money management, and access to welfare benefits, the role involves providing professional and courteous advice and information where necessary. This includes recognising and addressing the root causes of problems, taking appropriate remedial action, and agreeing on action plans with the client, as well as following up where necessary.
  
• The employee will also visit and interview customers in their homes or other local offices to verify the details of their circumstances, communicate and interpret relevant information to the customer and their representatives, and explore options to enable the customer to make informed decisions. In addition, the role involves acting on behalf of the customer to make telephone calls, negotiate with third parties, draft or write letters, or make appropriate referrals to other organisations.
  
• The employee must maintain accurate and clear case records using provided databases and provide comprehensive replies to written inquiries from customers or their representatives, advising them of action plans for improving their situation and their rights of appeal, where appropriate. Finally, the employee must stay up-to-date with relevant legislation and policy developments in their area of responsibility for the Benefits and Housing Needs Service.
•  
• Collect and collate statistical and other information from service areas for the purpose of monitoring performance indicators and producing divisional digests and good news items for quarterly performance reporting.
  
• Be accountable for monitoring the Councils complaints system on a daily basis and establishing effective systems to ensure prompt responses to correspondence and complaints from relevant service areas. Coordinate with Council officers to address Members inquiries, complaints, or MPs inquiries.
• Take accurate notes and minutes during meetings and, when necessary, prepare, copy, and circulate relevant papers.
  
• Handle casework and information with sensitivity and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for telephone callers, taking messages and referring complex issues to the appropriate officer.
  
• Compile and maintain current, consistent, and accurate records for individuals and teams, including performance analysis, and ensure that performance management information is readily available for performance or auditing purposes.
  
• Ensure exceptional customer care and communication practices are followed when carrying out the duties of this position.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Ability to collaborate with a diverse clientele and determine suitable welfare benefits and assistance. Proficient in selecting and providing cost-effective discretionary items within financial constraints. Excellent organizational and teamwork skills, including the capacity to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience in presenting information. Proficient in utilising a wide range of IT software, particularly Microsoft systems. Familiarity with privacy and data protection regulations. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing circumstances. Strong support for events and meetings, including reserving venues and obtaining competitive pricing.

• Previous experience of working within at least one of the following disciplines:

• Homeless assessments and reviews;
  
• Homeless prevention and housing advice;
  
• Temporary Accommodation management, maintenance, Housing Supply and procurement;
  
• Lettings and the Housing Register;
  
• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction schemes;
  

Important note : 

Review the job posting thoroughly and ensure that your CV meets the requirements listed in the Role Requirements section to increase your chances of being considered for the position. Additionally, if you have any relevant local authority or public sector experience, it is recommended that you include it on your CV. Note that the position is temporary and not permanent.

Job tags

Salary

£20.76 per hour