Housing Advice Team Leader Jobs in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.
Responsibilities and Person Specification:
This role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service, which has been re-shaped and is due to go live in the summer of 2024. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing.
As a Adviser (Housing and Welfare Benefits) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their enquiries relating to housing and welfare benefits as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service.
You should you should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Housing or Welfare Benefits (ideally both) as they relate to older people, experience of working within an high volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework.
For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.
This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week.
What it’s like to work at Independent Age:
We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.
We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.
We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.
You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.
Salary information:
Hybrid working in London: £32,682 per year, increasing to £33,600 after 6 months and £34,493 after 12 months Pro-rata if part-time
Homebased (with regular travel to London): £29,453 per year, increasing to £30,267 after 6 months and £31,054 after 12 months. Pro-rata if part-time.
Application Process:
To apply, please sit our website to submit via CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by clicking the Apply Online button below (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).
To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.
Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A basic DBS Certificate will be required for this role.
Closing Date: 6th May
Interview Dates:
First Round: 15th or 16th May, Second Round: 22nd May
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.
Responsibilities and Person Specification:
This role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service, which has been re-shaped and is due to go live in the summer of 2024. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing.
As an Adviser (Health Social Care and Housing) you will be responsible for providing specialist support to older people, their families and carers through our advice service with their housing and social care enquiries as well as providing generalist level support on a range of issues through our duty service.
You should have in depth, specialist level knowledge of Health and Social Care or Housing (ideally both) as they relate to older people, experience of working within a high volume advice setting and advice supervision framework such as the AQS framework
For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.
This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week.
What it’s like to work at Independent Age:
We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.
We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.
We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.
You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.
Salary information:
Hybrid working in London: £32,682 per year, increasing to £33,600 after 6 months and £34,493 after 12 months Pro-rata if part-time
Homebased (with regular travel to London): £29,453 per year, increasing to £30,267 after 6 months and £31,054 after 12 months. Pro-rata if part-time.
Application Process:
To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).
To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.
Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A basic DBS Certificate will be required for this role.
Closing Date: 6th May
Interview Dates:
First Round: 15th or 16th or, Second Round: 21st May
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.
Responsibilities and Person Specification:
This role is an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service, which has been re-shaped and is due to go live in the summer of 2024. The service is targeted at older people in or facing financial hardship, and provides information, advice and follow up support relating to a range of issues, including Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing.
As a Generalist Adviser you will be responsible for supporting older people, their families and carers through our duty service with their welfare benefits and housing and other issues relating to financial hardship in later life.
You should have a good level of knowledge of welfare benefits, social care and housing as well as experience of working within a high-volume advice service, ideally a telephone-based service.
For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.
This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. We also are open to this role being worked on a part-time basis on a minimum of 28 hours per week.
What it’s like to work at Independent Age:
We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.
We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.
We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working.
You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.
Salary information:
Hybrid working in London: £32,682 per year, increasing to £33,600 after 6 months and £34,493 after 12 months Pro-rata if part-time
Homebased (with regular travel to London): £29,453 per year, increasing to £30,267 after 6 months and £31,054 after 12 months. Pro-rata if part-time.
Application Process:
To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).
To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.
Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A basic DBS Certificate will be required for this role.
Closing Date: 6th May
Interview Dates:
First Round: 15th or 16th May, Second Round: 22nd May
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about supporting people to uphold their rights?
Disability Advice Service Lambeth (dasl) is Lambeth’s peer-led Disabled People’s Organisation.
We want to appoint a Professional Advocate who shares our ethos and values and is committed to supporting Lambeth residents achieve their legal rights.
dasl have provided an advocacy service for Lambeth Council for 12 years and since 2020 we have played a key role in the Lambeth Advocacy Hub, a single point of access for all statutory independent advocacy services for Lambeth residents aged 16 and over. We manage referrals and enquiries and provide independent Care Act advocacy and a range of non-statutory advocacy.
We provide a high quality service - we hold the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. You will hold, or be working towards, a qualification such as the Certificate/Diploma in Independent Advocacy (Level 3), or be able to show the necessary skills and relevant experience in a formal or informal advocacy role.
dasl’s success comes from dedicated work of our skilled staff, many of whom are Disabled people. You will be valued for who you are in our supportive and friendly team.
We work flexibly between home and office. Our office in Brixton is accessible.
This is a rolling recruitment - applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed as soon as possible. We encourage you to apply as soon as you are able.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Age UK East London are recruiting a Project Officer to join our growing information and advice team. We support thousands of people a year to maximise their income, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that they understand their rights and entitlements.
We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being. Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.
Job description
Job Purpose
• To deliver high-quality independent information and advice to adults, their carers and families
• To provide support to the advice service with appropriate and proportionate triage.
• To help clients with their enquiries by providing accurate information and signposting.
• To support to the smooth running of the Age UK East London Helpline.
Key Tasks
• To provide an open access front door for AUKEL advice in our Newham Office during office hours.
• To provide information and advice to older people and their carers on matters of social welfare, housing, health and social care etc
. • To triage and allocate referrals for the advice team ensuring that referrals for case work are appropriate and within the scope of our service.
• To provide information, advice and support to older people and their carers enabling them to access services and remain independent.
• To carry out welfare benefit calculations.
• To maintain accurate case records to Advice Quality Standard and in line with relevant legislation.
• To support all Age UK East London Advice Services to manage demand.
• To maintain a welcoming reception area and ensure all resources and information are up to date
• External representation at meetings with key stakeholders.
General
•To meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.
•To attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
•To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London.
•To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.
•To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK’s East London’s policies and procedures including EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
Functional Links
• The role reports to the Advice Team Leader.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £46,920 (London) / £42,373 (National) per annum
Hours: Full time (but open to proposals including part time, job shares etc)
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:
· 27 days annual leave + statutory holidays + 3 closures days over the Christmas period;
· Flexible working for all staff including working from home / hybrid working, and flexi-time/TOIL scheme;
· Attractive family friendly policies;
· Private healthcare cover;
· Season ticket loans;
· Employee awards, and training and development opportunities.
For more information about our benefits please visit our website.
Location: London/Bristol - employees are able to work from home on an arrangement agreed with their line manager and we have colleagues based around the UK.
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the National Housing Federation (NHF) for a Policy Leader (Finance Policy).
The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, who have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around 6 million people.
This role is a crucial and exciting one within our policy team and the wider organisation. You will use your knowledge and understanding of housing associations and their finances to build strong relationships with Finance Directors across our membership, and use their and your specialist knowledge to shape the financial environment so that housing associations can best deliver on their social purpose.
Whether this is making a persuasive and evidence-based case to the government for additional grant funding to build new homes, or working with sector experts on the detail of accounting, pensions, tax or treasury policy, or meeting with banks, lenders, ratings agencies, UK Finance, HMRC, and the Treasury on behalf of our members, this role is central to our work influencing national social housing policy.
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to download the full job profile and person specification for this role.
Key elements of the role:
· Shape and lead our policy work on key strategic issues for housing associations around housing finance – advocating for solutions and mitigating risks that affect the delivery of housing associations’ social purpose;
· Develop evidence and ideas on technical policy areas into salient policy solutions that will make a difference for the sector and influence government;
· Represent the NHF to senior colleagues in government, members and external stakeholders with credibility, expertise and political judgement;
· Communicate with and provide advice to members on critical changes to policy and the external environment.
The successful candidate:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
· A strong and in-depth understanding of housing association finances and the operating model of housing associations (finance qualifications are not required, but a technical understanding of finance and accounting issues will be vital);
· An ability to lead the development of credible, robust, evidence based policy, including on complex and technical policy areas;
· An ability to communicate credibly, clearly and persuasively in writing and in person including to Chief Executives, senior government officials and finance professionals;
· An ability to draft, oversee, adapt and deliver complex plans for the delivery of multiple projects or programmes of work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities and LGBT+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups.
Disability confident committed employer
We are a disability confident committed employer and if you are a disabled person who demonstrates you meet the skills and experience we consider essential for the role, we will offer you an interview.
We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that you feel may affect your performance during the recruitment process. Please contact Stephanie Green, People Manager with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.
Our role profile and job advert can also be requested in large print or in accessible format via this email address.
Uploading your CV and cover letter
If you decide to apply for this role, when requested, please upload a version of your CV that does not include any personal details, such as name, gender, age etc. You should also ensure that you do not add your name at the end of the cover letter. This will help us to shortlist candidates for interview based solely on their knowledge, skills and experience.
Right to work in the UK / UK VISA Sponsorship
You must have the right to work in the UK and it is important to note that the NHF does not sponsor individuals to work in the UK.
Closing date for applications: 6 May 2024
Interview date: 16 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This role will involve office based working at WGN sites in Shepherd’s Bush as well as travel across London, community based and remote working.
About us
Women and Girls Network (WGN) was established in 1987 and has spent over 30 years supporting women and girls across London affected by gendered violence. This includes childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, prostitution (including trafficking and sexual exploitation), female genital mutilation (FGM), and so-called 'honour' based crimes such as forced marriage.
Our goal is to promote, preserve, and restore the mental health and wellbeing of women and girls, to empower them to make a total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
About the role
We are now looking for an experienced and innovative individual to support the engagement and outreach of our Young Women’s Service.
The successful candidate will be experienced in developing and delivering creative Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention programs and confident to successfully engage young women in a wide range of settings including schools, colleges, youth programs & pupil referral units to raise awareness, challenge and positively influence the attitudes and behaviours that normalise GBV in this peer group. You will receive training on delivering GBV Resilience Programs that build psychological and emotional resilience in young people (YP) to strengthen protective factors to promote positive mental and emotional well-being in YP. You will co-produce and deliver training and awareness raising work for professionals, including first responders and managers in GBV related services / mental health provisions, educational centres and non-abusing family members and carers to facilitate appropriate response towards YP at risk.
About you
You will therefore be skilled in nurturing and developing YP voices and active engagement within such forums. You will be skilled at working alongside young women with an acute awareness of how to successfully co-create and co-deliver training packages to professionals and the wider community, thus centralising YP as the leaders and change agents in the project.
Further information
WGN’s employee benefits include: 3% pension contribution, enhanced leave entitlement and an Employee Assistance Programme, as well as the opportunity to work with a leading multi-cultural, women-led feminist charity.
We welcome and encourage applications from women of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Ethnic communities.
This post is subject to satisfactory references and DBS check.
WGN is an equal opportunities employer.
Posts are exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Citizens Advice Westminster works to make a difference to the lives of people in Westminster. We deliver a high quality, agile advice service which reflects community issues and needs. Our service puts people first.
As a Generalist Adviser / Caseworker, you will be part of a dedicated team helping in the delivery of advice and casework on full range of advice enquiry areas in particular welfare benefits and housing. You will also be undertaking casework support for vulnerable clients including acting on their behalf with third parties.
You will need to be a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with diverse range of people including vulnerable clients. You will be committed to developing your skills and happy to work flexibly, including from home, since we offer advice services on the phone, via digital technologies and face to face. While we are based near Royal Oak station the role will also include working from community settings including Food Banks across Westminster.
We will offer the right candidate a generous salary with other benefits including hybrid and flexible working, annual season ticket loans, career breaks, and the opportunity to develop yourself professionally and your career within the organisation. You will be part of a warm and friendly work culture where opinions are valued. We can also offer a flexible working environment where you can work some days from home.
If you are ready to be a part of this community organisation offering a vital service to people who need our help, then click apply and complete the application process, demonstrating how you meet the competencies in the Person Specification in your supporting statement. Please note we expect employees to spend 40% to 60% of their working time at the office or in outreach location.
Citizens Advice Westminster value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We strongly encourage applicants from all parts of society and believe that diversity is what makes us the leaders in what we do.
Closing Date: 3rd May 2024, 5pm
Assessments and Interviews may be booked before closing date if we find the right candidates with the skills and experience we are looking for in the person specifications, so apply now!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We're looking for a temporary Revenue & Income Officer to join Your Place and be part of our dedicated team to help us with our mission to solve homelessness in east London, one person at a time!
About the role
Based within the Resident Services team, the Revenue Officer will play a critical role to help deliver an effective and high performing rent collection and recovery service in accordance with legislation, the organisation’s policies, set performance targets and customer satisfaction requirements.
In collaboration with the RSM and RI Team Leader and Finance Team to ensure that Your Place are compliant with all regulations and using robust policy and procedures. Support with the set up of the new Pyramid system and ensuring the right systems are in place to effectively manage the Revenue and Income stream and arrears of the organisation.
Maximising the organisation’s Revenue and Income by liaising with both internal and external partners including the Resident Services, Keyworkers, HB, DWP and directly with residents., and effectively managing the arrears.
This role will also manage the impact of welfare reform provisions, ensuring an effective advice and support service to residents to manage risk on revenue and income levels.
Contract: Temporary Contract (until September 2024)
Hours: Monday - Friday 37.5 hours
Location: Canning Town, London
Other responsibilities include
- Investigating and support clients with Housing Benefit Appeals
- To support our project to transfer all accounts from Inform to Pyramid
- Investigate and support to manage Overpayment Claims from Housing Benefit
- Ensure rent accounts are up to date and correct. Checking HB entitlements against PC rates and requesting adjustments accordingly.
- Chasing ex resident arrears
- To manage resident rent and accommodation charge accounts and other former resident debts, on a regular basis identifying trends and patterns on individual accounts and then liaise with Support Workers or residents to rectify income issues and address arrears in line with policies and procedures
- To contribute towards the continuous improvement of performance in line with the organisation’s service plan targets
- To work collaboratively and closely with the Finance officer and Revenue and Income Team Leader to ensure all rent accounts tally.
About you
- Demonstrable experience of working in a supported housing environment in a similar or related role for at least 5 years
- GSCE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Experience of working with software applications including Microsoft office and bespoke IT Systems.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and priorities workloads.
- Able to take ownership and deliver excellent customer service in a professional and confident manner
- Demonstrate a positive, flexible approach to team working.
- Ability to communicate with residents and colleagues effectively.
- Ability to provide customer focused and responsive services.
- Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service
- Patient and pro-active
- Commitment to the Your Place values including diversity and inclusion
- Housing or a related qualification - desirable but not essential
About applying
When applying don't forget to answer the questions in our application process to tell us more about how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience to be successful in this role.
At Your Place, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better resident outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender, identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and a right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.
The charity runs three integrated programmes:
• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.
• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.
• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.
Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.
This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.
We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.
Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.
Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.
Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER
Responsible to: Head of Margins
Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London
Salary: £32,500 - £35,000
Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.
Three-month probation, two months’ notice.
23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)
Start date: May 2024
Purpose of Job:
• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.
• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.
• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.
• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.
• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.
The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.
Responsible For:
• Working with caseload of guests
• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services
• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.
• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.
• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.
• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.
• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.
• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme
Key Duties:
• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.
• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.
• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.
• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.
• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.
• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.
• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.
• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.
• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.
• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.
• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.
• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.
• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.
• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.
• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.
• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.
• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.
• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• Embrace a strength-based approach.
• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.
• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill.
• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.
• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.
• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.
• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.
Desirable:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups
• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds
Equal Opportunities:
• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.
• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.
This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.
How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.
Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am
Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Make your mark as a key leader in this growing charity
This is a key leadership role in this vibrant, user-led charity based in Richmond and Wandsworth. You will be providing leadership and direction to 5 team leads/managers as well as leading and directing development to increase the scope and depth of the services we offer. We are looking for innovation as well as sound leadership skills and professional knowledge of employment law is a given.
Ruils is a charity supports disabled children and adults, to live independently, be part of their community and to live life to the full. We provide information, advice, practical support, befriending and accessible activities to our clients and families. We enable individuals to have choice and control over the way in which they get their support.
The Adult Services Team Manager is one of 3 team managers reporting to our Chief Executive Officer. The services managed include Direct Payment Support across Richmond and Wandsworth, Befriending and Community Activities, our Benefits and Housing Advice and Information service and our Counselling service.
We constantly research and develop services to meet the identified needs of the community and this role would suit someone who wants a good level of autonomy to develop new ideas.
The Adults Services Manager works alongside our Children’s Team Manager and our Social Prescribing and Community Development Manager, supported by Finance, Fundraising and Campaigns and Communications Managers.
Purpose of Post
- To be responsible for the management of the Support Services to Direct Payment clients in Richmond and Wandsworth.
- To be responsible for the research and development of adult services in Richmond and Wandsworth.
- To oversee promotion, monitoring and delivery of the CILS, Pathways and Counselling services.
- To provide leadership and supervision, performance evaluation and general support for all of the adult services team managers and leads
- To be responsible for adult safeguarding and health and safety across the organisation.
What you might be doing now:
- You might be working for or volunteering in a similar charity or in a similar role.
- You may be looking to work part-time to fit around your other responsibilities.
- You may be a HR practitioner looking for a new management challenge away from the corporate world
- You may have worked for a local authority, but are looking for more autonomy and flexibility
- Or you may have the skills we need from some other combination of work and volunteering.
Main Duties include:
Management of Direct Payment Support Service
- Lead and manage the Direct Payment Support Service across Richmond and Wandsworth Boroughs through an experienced DP Project Manager.
- Provide support to the DP Project Manager to resolve complex DP HR management issues around the area of employment law.
- Support the Project Manager in their work with the local authority to set targets for the project, monitor performance against these targets and identify and resolve any issues that arise.
- Report as required to the commissioners and the Ruils Board of trustees
- Work with the DP Project Manager and the CEO on new DP projects and funding applications as required.
CILS, Pathways and Counselling Teams
- Lead and manage the delivery of the Community activity, Befriending, Pathways and Counselling services.
- Work with the CILS partners to ensure that the service is meeting Local Authority targets
- Report as required to the commissioners and the Ruils Board of trustees
- Responsible for ensuring active promotion of the services to potential and existing clients and stakeholders and to ensure representation of Ruils at networking events.
- Work with the CEO and Fundraising Manager to ensure projects are fully funded and demand is well managed.
General Responsibilities
- Responsible for ensuring safeguarding policies and principles are upheld across Adult Teams.
- Responsible for Health and Safety across the organisation.
What we can offer you:
- A vibrant and interesting work environment – every day is different.
- An experienced and supportive CEO and a great team
- Training and development opportunities.
- Flexible working.
- Kind and caring colleagues who work as a team.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Access to an employee assistance programme (EAP)
- 1-2-1 coaching
We welcome applicants from all walks of life, training and mentoring will be provided.
We actively encourage applications from disabled people and people with long term health and mental conditions. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in that we will guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. Please state in a cover letter if you wish us to consider you for this guaranteed interview scheme.
Please apply in writing with a cover letter and stating your current salary to Viv Sage our HR Consultant at Better Talent.
Closing date for applicants: 1st May 2024, interviews the following week.
Please apply in writing with a cover letter and stating your current salary to Viv Sage our HR Consultant at Better Talent.
Age UK East London are recruiting a Welfare Benefits Advisor to join our growing information and advice team. We support thousands of people a year to maximise their income, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that they understand their rights and entitlements.
We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being. Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.
Job description
Job Purpose
• To provide Information, advice and support to clients enabling them to remain independent in their own homes.
• To work with the Advice Service to deliver and maintain excellent services to AQS standard.
• To provide home visits and office appointments, delivering advice via a variety of channels such as phone, video call and face to face.
• To work with clients to deliver holistic support that promotes wellbeing, independence that reduces health inequality and poverty.
Key Tasks
• To provide quality-assured independent advice and casework support to adults across East London.
• To maintain accurate case records in line with all relevant legislation and quality assurance benchmarks.
• To conduct welfare benefit calculations and advise accurately on entitlements.
• To complete applications for welfare benefits and grants etc.
• To support people to understand their rights and challenge decisions made against them such as welfare benefit appeals to first tier tribunal.
• To deliver a holistic, person-centred and strength-based service focussed on independence and wellbeing.
• To support service data input to support the service with evaluation and monitoring KPI’s.
• To keep up to date knowledge of welfare benefit, Housing and Social Care policy and legalisation.
• To support the service to be flexible and responsive to change and community need.
• To train and mentor volunteers.
General
• To meetregularlywith linemanagerforsupport,supervision and appraisal.
• To attend team and staff meetings, committee meetings, partnership, network forums and monitoring meetings as required.
• To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required fromtime to time forthe continued smooth running of Age UK East London.
• To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.
• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK East London’s policies and procedures including: EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding VulnerableAdults.
Functional Links
• The role reports to the Information & Advice Team Leader
• Close working with the Advocacy Service.
• Close working with GP’s, Outreach Venues, Hospital Ward Staff.
• Close working with the Advice Providers Network in Hackney.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Roma Outreach Worker (Full-time, 12-month fixed term contract)
Kingston upon Thames, Greater London
37.5 Hours per week
This role will require the person to work early mornings and late nights in order to conduct outreach shifts in the Borough.
UK Driving Licence and Romani or Romanian language skills are essential.
About Us
We are SPEAR, a charity dedicated to helping homeless people in South and West London find secure accommodation and work towards a positive future. For 30 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to support homeless people to recover from their personal issues and break down the barriers that they face. We recognise that homelessness is much more than just a housing issue, so we provide a range of accommodation and support services to help people reach their full potential.
The Benefits
– Salary of £31,500 per annum
– 34 days’ holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) increasing with length of service
– Pension scheme
– Access to a free Employee Assistance Programme
– A range of benefits including cycle to work scheme and staff wellbeing sessions
– Refer a friend bonus scheme
This is a superb opportunity for an individual with drive, focus and a desire to work with our outstanding charity to help us to combat homelessness. You’ll discover a passionate, supportive environment where the entire team are working toward the same goals and are dedicated to making positive change and producing great results.
The Role
The purpose of the Roma Outreach Worker role is to deliver an effective service to single people who are currently rough sleeping. This post will actively support Roma clients, providing a continued and consistent point of contact whilst assisting them in navigating the various change pathways available to them.
Are you passionate about utilising your language skills to assist in ending rough sleeping? Our organisation takes a proactive stance in supporting individuals away from rough sleeping, aiming for permanent transitions from rough sleeping.
We are seeking a dynamic and self-driven individual with language proficiency in Romanian or Romany to join our Kingston Outreach Team as a Roma Outreach Worker. In this pivotal role, you will engage in street outreach shifts, assess needs, and deliver personalised case management. It is the beginning of assisting clients on their journey from homelessness to independence.
To be considered for the role of Roma Outreach Worker, you will have:
- Able to speak Romani or Romanian fluently or to a high level.
- Full and clean UK driving licence.
- Good understanding of the Roma communities.
- Experience of working within the homelessness or social care sector.
- Have a creative, solution-focused approach to overcoming challenges.
- Knowledge of GDPR and data management.
- Knowledge of current drug and alcohol provision and relevant services, pathways and conditions.
- Emotional resilience to deal with challenging behaviour and to facilitate ongoing constructive engagement.
- Solid IT skills with the ability to record sound and accurate records in a timely fashion on IT applications such as CHAIN and Inform.
- A commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
- Experience of support planning and risk assessing clients with complex needs, including safeguarding knowledge.
- Able to develop positive and professional working relationships with clients to facilitate the best possible outcomes and address issues of social isolation and exclusion.
- Experience in conducting client assessments and interviews and outcome monitoring.
For further and more detailed information on the role and person specification, please review the Job Description.
SPEAR is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environment is, the better our work will be.
At SPEAR, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them.
So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Roma Outreach Worker, please apply via the button shown.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
£34,300 - £37,300 per year
Permanent full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office and to events
What the job involves
We’re looking for a Senior Black Health Equity Engagement Officer to join us in a newly created role in our Black Health Equity Team alongside a Black Health Equity Engagement Officer.
The team will support our community engagement function to build trust and engagement with Black community organisations and leaders across the UK. The purpose being to increase the awareness in Black communities of the risk of prostate cancer and to narrow the health inequalities faced by Black men.
As a Senior Black Health Equity Engagement Officer, you'll be responsible for managing the operational aspects of our charity's Black Men's Health Advisory Group. This includes scheduling meetings, planning agendas, and ensuring effective communication within the group to gather insights, support, and guidance. You'll actively engage with various groups, organisations, and networks within Black communities, building trusting relationships to spread awareness of prostate cancer. Additionally, you’ll also identify and establish ways to build strategic relationships with grassroots organisations who are best placed to deliver work and increase its impact.
You’ll help to build an understanding and knowledge of ways in which health inequalities impact Black men affected by prostate cancer (including their families) and be able to provide expert advice and partner with teams across the charity to help to tackle health inequalities.
You'll develop work plans, measure impact, and ensure that the lived experiences of Black communities shape our work. Additionally, you'll work with colleagues to increase our number of Black volunteers to help make a bigger difference in communities.
What we want from you
We’re looking for candidates who understand health inequalities and are able to explain how they may impact Black men affected by prostate cancer. Knowledge of, or previous involvement in health awareness initiatives would be beneficial for this role, although we also value transferable skills gained from other sectors.
You’ll have experience in organising meetings or events that cater to a diverse range of participants, ensuring that various perspectives are heard and valued, especially within Black communities. You’ll ensure their lived experiences shapes any proposed solutions.
You’ll be an excellent communicator and comfortable presenting to a wide range of audiences and show credibility to those at senior levels and external stakeholders and partners. You’ll also be able to work will with a mix of teams and work together to develop and coordinate plans to benefit Black communities and raising awareness.
Please note that community events often take place on evenings or weekends – the successful candidate will need to work flexibly to attend c. one weekend event a month and take time back mid-week.
This role is being part-funded by Movember as part of Prostate Cancer UK’s Black Health Equity Programme.
Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.
Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.
Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Prostate Cancer UK, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to building a strong and innovative workplace that represents, and can advocate for, the communities we support.
It’s our ambition to become an anti-racist organisation, and our mission to advance racial equity in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
We’re learning more about the needs of our colleagues and we’re excited to have recently launched three new people networks: Pride, Mind & Body and Multicultural.
Ways of working
Our hybrid working approach combines the best of flexible working – a positive work/life balance, inclusive and accessible platforms, and online information at our fingertips.
Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply, please visit the website via the apply button.
The closing date is Sunday 28th April 2024. Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.
Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Tuesday 7th May 2024.
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.
Are you a strong, visionary leader keen to advocate for the VCSE sector? Are you interested in bringing people and organisations together to collaborate on the future of community led services across Hampshire and to be the public face of the organisation?
Having led the organisation through a significant period of change, our CEO has chosen to move on to take up a new challenge and set up her own business. We are now seeking a Chief Executive to lead Action Hampshire through the next phase of its strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who has the desire, vision and ambition to continue to build a system that is fairer for our communities.
As a strengths-based organisation, we value the unique contributions each member of our team brings and our organisational culture emphasises coaching and leadership over management. We’re committed to inclusivity, equity and to the wellbeing and safety of our team. This role offers a high degree of flexibility in working hours and can be delivered remotely, apart from bimonthly coworking or away days in Hampshire. You’ll have the opportunity to set your own development goals and targets and receive support to achieve them. Joining a friendly and supportive team, you’ll be able to manage your own time and work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and contractors. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your strengths to other parts of the organisation too.
Key tasks include:
(see job description for a full list of tasks)
- Lead, inspire and develop the team at Action Hampshire to deliver our purpose
- Work with the Board of Trustees to ensure delivery and regular review of Action Hampshire’s (‘the charity’) vision, mission and strategic plans
- Deliver the charity’s vision and mission through appropriate plans and in accordance with agreed policies and protocols.
- Support and advise the Board to meet its responsibilities to ensure that the charity is legally compliant, well run and meets its organisational duties and obligations
- Enhance the charity’s impact and profile locally, regionally and nationally.
For almost 75 years, we’ve supported communities across Hampshire. Today, our mission focuses on strengthening the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, supporting communities to raise their voices, and doing all we can to reduce disadvantage and celebrate diversity across Hampshire. Our responsive approach means we work across a wide range of issues relevant to our communities, from increasing the availability of rural affordable housing to ensuring cancer awareness messaging reaches seldom heard communities.
There has never been a more exciting time to join our talented, ambitious and friendly team. Our new 3-year strategy sets out clear goals and actions which we’ll achieve together. Our leadership team are embedding a culture of learning, experimentation and development. Our team is caring, collaborative and driven by our values of being bold, enterprising, informative, and empowering. We very much welcome applications from all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith or disability. We are a Living Wage employer and Disability Confident.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.