Housing and welfare benefits advisor jobs

DRIVE - IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Location: FCWA Offices, 77 Montague Street, Blackpool, FY4 1AT

Salary: 

• £26,500 (FTE unqualified) £21,200 based on 30 hours
• £28,500 (FTE qualified or after 2 years of service) £22,800 based on 30 hours

Hours: 30 hours per week- Over 4 days (Monday–Friday: 9:00am–5:00 pm) Days negotiable

Vacancy Type: 12 Months- continuation is subject to funding

FCWA is an innovative, exciting, and friendly organisation run by a staff team who are passionate about bringing an end to domestic and sexual violence. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

The DRIVE IDVA Role and Key Responsibilities

The Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) plays a critical safeguarding role within the Drive Project, providing specialist, survivor-centred advocacy, safety planning and risk management for victims and survivors linked to Drive cases. The role ensures that survivors’ voices, safety, and well-being remain central to system decision-making throughout the Drive intervention.

The role is positioned to work with victims/survivors of domestic abuse; providing specialist support to victims of high-risk, serial, or high-harm domestic abuse perpetrators who are managed by the Drive Project.

DRIVE IDVA’s provide ongoing recovery support to clients for up to 12 months.

• The role requires the successful candidate to;
• Proactively engage with victim/survivors to build bespoke safety plans, including security measures to increase their immediate and long-term safety.
• Act as the crucial link between the perpetrator’s case manager and the victim/survivor to provide current updates and inform disruptive interventions (e.g., police action, bail conditions).
• Conduct regular risk assessments to monitor changes in the perpetrator's behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to the victim/survivor and any children.
• Represent the victim/survivors’ needs in multi-agency meetings (such as MARAC and DAPP), ensuring a coordinated approach between police, social services, housing, and health.
• Serve as the main contact point for victim/survivors to provide consistent support, information and advocacy throughout the intervention process.
• Support victim/survivors through the legal, criminal or civil justice systems. This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victims, children, and families.
• Knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management within domestic abuse services.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities relating to children and vulnerable adults.
• Experience of providing direct support to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable groups.
• Experience working within multi-agency partnerships and legislative frameworks.
• Experience using SafeLives DASH risk assessment tools.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, advocacy, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and survivor-centred practice.

Desirable Criteria

• IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards accreditation.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies available to victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience working with individuals affected by mental health issues, substance misuse, or multiple disadvantage.
• Knowledge of housing, homelessness, welfare benefits, and CAFCASS processes.
• Understanding of Respect Standards and perpetrator intervention programmes.

Benefits:

• Birthday day off
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Regular staff support sessions
• Contributory pension scheme
• Death in Service insurance
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Friendly, values-driven team environment

Additional Information:

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance.

Please note that we reserve the right to withdraw or close this vacancy at any time.

To Apply 

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Fylde Coast Womens Aid, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Closing date: 22nd June 2026

Interviews: TBC

Independent Living Advisor (Self-Directed Support Service)
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Action on Disability, Mo Mowlam House, Clem Attlee Court, London, SW6 7BF

The Organisation

Action on Disability (AoD), founded in 1979, is one of London’s leading Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations. As we believe in the social model of disability, our values and principles embrace inclusive and accessible ways of working both internally and in all our activities, seek the participation and contribution of our members, and encourage and respect diversity.

The organisation is a medium sized charity with a Board of Trustees (at least 75% is disabled trustees), 20 staff and a strong ad hoc staff and volunteer base including many with direct experience of disability – all of whom are passionate about removing the barriers that disabled people face.

AoD provides five key services. These are: Youth, Employment, Welfare Benefits, Independent Living and Our Place.

AoD’s Independent Living Service

The Independent Living Service (Self-Directed Support Service) is a new service that will provide support to Direct Payment users within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The service will enable disabled people to have genuine choice and control over the way in which they lead their lives.The post-holder will be working alongside disabled people to enable them to have more choice and control over their care and support needs.

Purpose of Post

To work with individuals, their family and friends (where appropriate) to provide them with information, advice and assistance to enable them to access and manage a Direct Payment

(DP) and recruit and manage a Personal Assistant (PA).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Support to individuals employing their own Personal (care) Assistant (PA) or engage an agency to deliver care and support.

1. Provide information and advice on becoming an employer and the role of the Personal Assistant.
2. Ensure that the client understands their legal obligations and responsibilities of being an employer.
3. Work with clients to: set up a profile on the Find-a-pa website, advertise and recruit a Personal Assistant, create a personalised job description and specification identify the level of experience and training requirements needed for the role.
4. Advise and help to calculate the PA’s salary and on costs (full training provided).
5. Support the client through the interview process and where necessary sit in during interviews.
6. Support individuals to reference, check legal status and where necessary DBS their support worker.
7. Support individuals to set up an induction plan for their PA and enable them to identify training needs.
8. Support the client to complete payroll and insurance documentation.
9. Work with the client to draw up a Statement of Particular (contract) for the employed PA (templates provided).
10. Encourage DP employers to take a lead in all employment issues. Information on where to seek advice e.g. ACAS, Fish and Premier Care helpline will be given and clients will be encouraged to use them.
11. Ensure that the individual has a back-up plan for emergencies.
12. Encourage DP employers to be assertive and proactive with their Personal Assistants.
13. Work with agencies to set up support for clients who may not wish to employ a PA directly.

Ongoing support to individuals in receipt of Direct Payments

1. Providing advice on employment issues.
2. Support individuals to solve practical problems e.g. lateness of staff, change of needs.
3. Support individuals to recruit again if necessary.
4. Assist individuals to re-look at budgets, training and job descriptions as they change over time.
5. Assist individuals to ensure that they continue to manage their Direct Payment or budget.
6. Support individuals to make informed choices.
7. Meet with the DP Support Group on a regular basis.
8. Assist in the development of training and other resources to support employers to manage their DP and their PA relationships.
9. Develop links and professional relationships with Social Work teams to support a healthy level of referrals.

For all work:

• Work in a person-centred way.
• Comply with AoD’s agreed policies and procedures.
• Participate in the wider development of the service and contribute to service improvement as required.
• Be computer literate and administratively self-supporting.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as identified by the Self-Directed Support Service Lead or line manager.

Special requirements

• Ability to travel within the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
• Some attendance at meetings and events outside of normal office hours will be required.

Person Specification

To be considered for this role, candidates must have:

• Good standard of education.
• Experience of recruiting volunteers or staff.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Understanding of social care and Direct Payments legislation.
• Experience/knowledge of supporting individuals to recruit and manage employees.
• Experience of working with clients with support needs.
• Experience of using a person-centred approach.
• Ability to think creatively and to come up with solutions.
• Ability to gather and assess information efficiently.
• Numeracy skills and knowledge of budgeting.
• Ability to use Word and Excel packages to a high standard.
• Ability to work under pressure, and to tight deadlines.
• A flexible approach and able to work on own initiative
• Good communication skills including interpersonal, written, presentational and spoken.
• Ability to guide in a sensitive way
• Ability to assess and match skills and personalities to individual needs and preferences.
• Commitment to the Social Model of Disability and to promote choice, independence, rights and inclusion.
• Understanding of and commitment to the aims of the organisation.
• Excellent practical understanding of the need for confidentiality.
• An understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice

Desirable qualities

• Experience of working with disabled people
• Lived experience of disability

Closing Date: Friday 10th July 2026
N.B. we reserve the right to close this vacancy early and/or begin interviewing before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life.

As a Disability Confident Employer, 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.

AoD is a Living Wage Foundation registered employer and all of our employees, casual workers and contractors are paid above the London Living Wage.

No agencies please.

ROOTED FINANCE

Rooted Finance is a pioneering specialist debt and financial inclusion Charity based in London. We’re committed to making money and debt advice accessible, for everyone.

The people we work with come from all walks of life and so do we.

We employ advisers from all backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we are the communities we serve. We provide quality debt and money advice services to help clients manage their finances and debts, protect their essential services; and safeguard their income and priority needs. Our services have never been more needed in an uncertain financial environment.

Rooted Finance is expanding its team and is looking for a full-time Money Guidance Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive team at a pivotal moment in our growth.

We are looking for someone who enjoys providing a first-class client satisfaction and support service. You will work closely with our Advice team to ensure clients are accessing support through engagement activities and that they are able to progress their debt advice journey smoothly.

You will be the interface for advisers to ensure documentation and tasks are completed in a timely manner or the clients you are supporting. The post-holder will need to be comfortable interacting with a variety of audiences – advisers, clients and partner organisations, and enjoy supporting people to progress through their advice journey.

You will have strong administrative, research and data skills, excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, and should be flexible and capable of working independently and as part of a team.

The post holder will be part of a small team and need to be a proven self-starter. The team language is English, and Rooted Finance is an Equal Opportunities employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job : Title Money Guidance Officer

Salary: £28,000

Hours: 35 Hours per week 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Day of leave on your birthday Additional day of leave for each year of service up to 35 days 3% Pension contribution stakeholder pension £200 home-office equipment allowance Costco membership. Employee Assistance Programme Hybrid and flexible working arrangements available and agreed according to business needs 

Contract: Permanent/Fixed Term (subject to funding) 

Location: Rooted Finance delivers primarily an in-person service, postholder will be required to attend outreach locations/RF office. Hybrid arrangement with remote working will be incorporated where possible based on business demands.

Purpose of the Job

Rooted Finance provides client focused and impact driven services. The ability to provide first class advisory and casework services that impact individuals, and the communities they live in, is fundamental to the way in which Rooted Finance provides transparent and evidence-based services.

RF is looking for a proven self-starter to support our advice services and preventative initiatives. You’ll be passionate about working with people and committed to delivering a high-quality community engagement and support program. You’ll be adept at delivering comprehensive support to individuals within diverse community settings.

You will be confident in working with community members to grow and develop projects to reach isolated individuals. Working flexibly across dates (including occasional weekend working), times and locations, responding to project and community needs as required.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of ongoing support. You will be trained and expected to keep up to date with regards to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to debt and a working knowledge of welfare benefits as directed by Line Manager.

Training and development

Rooted Finance will provide internal and external training as appropriate. Continued professional development is fundamental to the values of Rooted Finance in building capacity amongst its team members.

Reporting

The post holder will report directly to the Advice Manager of Rooted Finance

Role Requirements

This role aims to address the additional barriers and needs faced by overindebted individual, ensuring they are supported in navigating these challenges and can focus on the debt advice process effectively. As a Money Engagement Officer you will work across our various community partners, delivering money mentoring support and income maximisation services to local communities with the aim of promoting financial resilience and wellbeing. You will also provide assist in collecting essential documents and information for advisers to progress their cases. You will maintain accurate client and project records and contribute/support Manager(s) with effective project monitoring and reporting. You will capture learning to share with project stakeholders to help inform Rooted Finance’s wider approach to financial inclusion services.

Key functions and impact of the role will include;

Outreach and Engagement: Actively engage overindebted individual through various outreach initiatives such as community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organisations to raise awareness about debt advice to encourage individuals to seek help early and facilitate this through practical 121 support.

Support and guidance: Provide ongoing support needs to keep people with money worries engaged in the debt advice journey. Often people struggling with money worries have additional barriers and needs, this role focuses on the 'support function' which will be available to help people navigate barriers so they can focus on the specialist debt advice needed and offered through Rooted Finance and other support services.

Referral and Collaboration: foster a cohesive relationship to build partnerships and to collaborate with debt advice services, community organisations, and other stakeholders to facilitate referrals and ensure a seamless transition into debt advice services. Maintain strong partnerships with service providers to enhance accessibility and support for individuals in need.

Empowerment and Education: Equip our services users by providing ‘digestible’ financial education, coaching, and advocacy to help them make informed decisions, improve their financial literacy, and build long-term financial resilience. Data Collection and Reporting: maintain accurate records of all outcomes, advocacy and support provided to all individuals, diligently record outcomes to track the effectiveness of the triage process and measure the impact of the engagement efforts on increasing access to debt advice and other services.

Duties & Responsibilities: The main duties will include

1. Work closely with RF advice team in identifying client’ needs to work together to implement a holistic approach to supporting individuals.

2. Manage a joint caseload with debt advisers to ensure successful engagement in the debt advice journey, monitor progress and maintain diligent records across all systems

3. Working closely with advisers to support their more vulnerable clients

4. Delivering both 121 and group sessions to build individuals’ financial knowledge and resilience.

5. Increasing the visibility and awareness of the advice services through external events and roadshows

6. Develop and maintain good working relationships with clients to facilitate engagement in debt advice journey by explaining and outlining what debt advice offers, support to engage in attending debt advice appointment, follow up with obtaining required documents, make effective referrals for additional services and provide on-going support.

7. Draw up a personalised plan supporting clients to access and engage with the extensive range of support available in the community. Actively connect clients with a wide variety of services through signposting for additional help around health, wellbeing, housing, welfare, immigration, social support and financial advice. 

8. Identify aftercare support to help individuals increase their ability around ongoing financial capability and literacy skills and to reduce further and future financial exclusions

9. Working with, and recruiting clients to, our Lived Experience Steering Committee

10. Provide one to one/group sessions to encourage and increase engagement in the debt advice service

11. Develop marketing and creative initiatives to promote and engage with service users to increase uptake in debt advice service and increase full journey completion.

12. Ensure all project monitoring requirements are adhered to and all learning (including risks and opportunities) is captured and recorded in a timely manner.

13. Perform consistent impact measurements on project components, including undertaking financial wellbeing checks before, during and after, beneficiary engagement with RF service in a non-intrusive manner

14. Actively participate in team meetings and work with colleagues and beneficiaries to further develop the project

15. Maintain effective communication between colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries at all times.

16. Undertake recommended and self-identified ongoing training and development to ensure gaps in knowledge/skills are acquired to meet requirement of the role and quality assurance processes in timely manner as directed by Supervisor/LM.

17. Work to an agreed work-plan, meeting targets on time and all required KPI

18. Work collaboratively to share good practice in performance and quality improvement with fellow advisers/wider team.

19. Ensure that all services comply with equal opportunities and other relevant policies and quality standards and good practice as outlined in organisational policies.

20. Ensure all work is fully compliant with Rooted Finance policies and procedures and Quality Standard

21. Ensure data protections regulations are adhered to and office procedures followed

22. Abide by all Health & Safety at Work Act procedures

23. Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding vulnerable adults at risk

24. Demonstrable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR

25. Behave in a professional manner at all times

26. Act as an ambassador for Rooted Finance, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.

Other 1. Undertake additional tasks as defined by Advice Manager of RF and senior management team.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualification 

Desirable: Educated to a degree standard or equivalent. 

Essential: Relevant professional qualification (i.e.CMA Connect Money Mentor training)/ or equivalent gained through experience Evidence of continued professional development 

Skills

Desirable: Excellent understanding of the principles and current best practice in debt, financial capability and financial inclusion.

Essential: Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefit system and experience of advising customers on benefits.Understanding and commitments to the aims, principles, values and quality standards of Rooted Finance services. Awareness of, and ability to, understand and empathise with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and disadvantaged groups living in the community, in particular barriers faced by over-indebted and financially excluded communities. Ability to use sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of the issues and empower clients Ability to remain non-judgmental and apply active listening Ability to provide outstanding customer service Good communications skills – including written and personal presentation skills. Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively, and work as part of a team and be open to learning from others. Ability to manage own time and meet deadlines.High standard of numeracy and computer skills, specifically IT skills with a strong command of the Microsoft Office suite with an ability to understand and analyse complex financial and other numerical information Knowledge and experience of using case management systems to maintain accurate records Working in a small team and autonomously, experience of working in client facing role. A commitment to continuous professional development, including a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in advice topics

Experience 

Desirable: Experience of supporting and guiding junior team members (volunteer/trainee team members)

Essential: Experience of working directly in a community setting such as adult health and social care, learning support or information and advice settings Experience of gathering, providing and disseminating complex and sensitive information Experience of liaising with partner agencies; Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills; Commitment to working flexibly across all RF services, including evenings and weekends (TOIL applied)

OTHER:

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check Rooted Finance is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and stored. This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.