The Role:
This role is based in the Home search Centre at Bournemouth Road you will provide an effective, customer-friendly and efficient service to clients presenting with financial issues relating to housing problems.
The purpose of this position is to prevent homelessness and support customers that are impacted by Welfare Reform legislation. The role will include managing budgets, and making decisions through Assessments.
To assess housing, and support needs of households, including those who may be vulnerable, and to give money and general debt advice to those who are at risk of accruing rent arrears and becoming homeless.
To assist households of all tenures to sustain their tenancy and prevent homelessness through active intervention and prevention work.
To advise and assist public and private sector landlords with tenancy support with a view to preventing homelessness with particular reference to the Welfare Reforms.
To assess and decide on applications and appeals for Discretionary Housing Payments, Rent Arrears Fund payments and other discretionary funds on behalf of the council.
To work with residents, in the office, remotely or in the community to reduce rent arrears, maintaining partnerships with established key agencies and stakeholders, whilst developing and forming new relationships in the community.
About Southwark
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
About You:
This Financial Inclusion Officer role is suitable for a vibrant individual who is passionate about assisting applicants with their financial situations. The role requires initiative and drive in a fast paced environment that is ever changing and adapting to move with the financial climate. The successful candidate will need to be focused and resilient with a skill set to problem solve and provide effective solutions.
You will develop effective working relationships with colleagues within Southwark, other council and statutory services, external bodies, service users, landlords as well as voluntary and other housing organisations and ensure effective referrals. You will advise clients of available tenancy support services including income maximisation, Discretionary Housing Payments, Rent Arrears Fund, under occupation schemes, mutual exchange, debt and rent arrears advice and HB support.
This position is fundamental to the provision of services to vulnerable customers who may approach the customer through the Children's Act, the Care Act, and all relevant housing legislation including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Additional salary details
We will only consider applications from internal candidates, that are current employees or agency workers on an active assignment
Internal Only - Secondment until end of March 2025
Recruitment timetable
Advert closes : 07 May 2024
Interviews week commencing: 13 May 2024
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
SWCINT
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