Senior welfare benefits advisor jobs

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Directorate background

The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.

Job purpose

The Director of Advice Services provides strategic leadership for Toynbee Hall’s Advice Services Directorate, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible and impactful services that support people experiencing poverty, financial hardship, social exclusion and inequality.

Scope of role

The Interim Director of Advice Services is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all Advice Services delivered by Toynbee Hall.

This includes direct delivery services, partnership programmes, grant-funded projects and commissioned contracts delivered across community, healthcare and criminal justice settings.

The postholder will oversee a complex portfolio that includes:

• Debt advice and financial wellbeing services
• Welfare benefits and generalist advice services
• Legal advice services including employment and housing
• Welfare benefits services for customers with cancer
• Ministry of Justice-funded prison-based advice services
• Future commissioned, grant-funded and partnership programmes

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic direction and development of the Advice Services Directorate.
• Contribute to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Ensure services align with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategic objectives and organisational priorities.

Financial Planning and Performance

• Work with Finance colleagues to develop budgets, forecasts and financial plans across the Directorate.
• Ensure services operate within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
• Monitor financial performance across contracts, grants and programmes, identifying risks and opportunities.

Business Development and Growth

• Lead the development and delivery of the Directorate’s growth strategy.
• Identify new funding, commissioning and partnership opportunities.
• Lead the development of bids, tenders and funding proposals.

Contract and Partnership Management

• Provide strategic oversight of all contracts, grants and service agreements.
• Lead negotiations with commissioners, funders and delivery partners.
• Ensure effective contract management processes are embedded across the Directorate.

Service Portfolio Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight across all advice services including debt, welfare benefits, generalist advice, legal advice, Macmillan services and prison-based advice programmes.
• Ensure services are integrated where appropriate and provide a seamless client journey.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all service areas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of leading large-scale advice, support, health, justice or community services and projects.
• Proven experience of business development, income generation and securing funding or contracts
• Experience of leading complex partnerships / multi-agency programmes.
• Experience of negotiating and managing significant contracts, grants and service agreements.
• Strong understanding of service quality, governance, compliance and risk management.
• Experience of budget management, financial planning and working with finance colleagues to support effective financial oversight.
• Ability to build relationships and influence at senior level with funders, commissioners, regulators and strategic partners.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working within or alongside the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)
• Experience leading within a senior Advice Services Directorate
• Experience in developing or delivering advisor training and technical supervision.
• Understanding of criminal justice or mental-health service environments.

Our Benefits

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave
• After 3 years: +1 additional day
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
• Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
• Perk Box
• Life Insurance

Please refer to the attached job description for more details.

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.

Director of Operations – Finance & Support Services
Dartington (& Torquay as required)
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, ideally Monday-Friday 08.30-16.30
Salary: £51,663.00 - £59,597.00 per annum (DOE)

Are you a skilled operations professional with a background in finance?

We have a brand-new opportunity at Lifeworks Charity, for a Director of Operations (Finance & Support Services) to play a crucial role in our Central Support team. You will drive the sustainable growth and operational efficiency of the charity, directly contributing to our charitable impact.

You'll blend your financial expertise with your keen eye for operational oversight in this hybrid role, ensuring our resources are managed effectively to benefit the young people and families we support.

Who we are:

Since 1996, we've been empowering people with learning disabilities in Devon to achieve their dreams and build fulfilling lives. Our core values of kindness, respect, and positivity guide everything we do.

What you’ll do:

Finance

- Manage and maintain all financial aspects of the charity, including (but not limited to), budgeting, forecasting, reporting, ledgers, balance sheets, bank reconciliations, debtor accounts, cash flow management, insurances, property and procurement.
- Take a lead on the development of financial and fundraising processes and strategies.
- Manage and be the main point of contact for all aspects of ESFA and DfE funding compliance and reporting.
- Lead a small team to deliver outstanding support to the charity and act as a key financial advisor to managers across the organisation.
- Produce clear and concise monthly management accounts and provide financial insights to senior managers and the Board of Trustees.
- Working closely with external auditors, prepare and oversee our year end accounts.

Operations

- Ensure that charity governance and compliance is upheld, by contributing to record maintenance, managing registers and supporting with reviews of policies and procedures.
- Work with our external IT partners to manage our technology. You will make sure that the correct infrastructure, systems and processes are in the right place at the right time.
- Lead on IT security for the charity, implementing regular reviews to monitor compliance.
- Act as the Data Controller and manage all areas of data protection regulations, always prioritising data security.
- Develop and review charity policies as necessary, ensuring they align with best practices and legal requirements.
- Ensure compliance of Health and Safety policies, liaising with external advisors to maintain safety within the workplace.

Last but not least, we are looking for someone that is an advocate for people with learning disabilities and shares our common goal of making sure the people we support achieve their best lives with us. You may not be involved in the day-to-day work with our service users, but the work you will do is vital to the success of our charity.

What we're looking for:

You'll be a motivated and experienced professional who is passionate about making a difference. You should be:

- ACCA/CIMA/ACA part-qualified with significant experience (or fully qualified is a bonus!).
- A proven leader with the ability to inspire and develop a team.
- An expert in financial management, from budgeting to reporting.
- An excellent communicator who can clearly explain complex financial information to all audiences.
- Experienced in managing a broad portfolio, ideally including Health and Safety, IT, or facilities.
- Knowledgeable about governance frameworks and risk management.

If you are a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and a desire to contribute to a vital cause, we would love to hear from you.

We're passionate about supporting our staff just as much as we are about supporting our service users. When you join our team, you can expect:

- An hourly rate above the Real Living Wage
- A holiday entitlement of 33 days’ holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
- A fully funded DBS check and update service to ensure a smooth onboarding process
- Access to valuable resources including an employee assistance program to support your mental and emotional health

Building a diverse and safe team:

At Lifeworks, we're committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the job criteria, and we guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview.

Lifeworks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. To achieve this commitment, we will ensure the continuous development, improvement and review of robust safeguarding processes and procedures that continuously promote a culture of vigilance in respect of safeguarding within our organisation. All staff undergo Safer Recruitment checks which include pre-employment checks, reference checks, and a DBS check with Barred List checks (where applicable).

Early applications encouraged!

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the 19th of July, but may close earlier if suitable candidates are identified. So, to ensure your application is considered, ensure you apply early!

The interview format will consist of 3 parts; a formal interview assessment, a short presentation and a Q&A with staff members. If you are selected for interview, further details will be shared ahead of the above date.

Apply today and tell us why you'd be a great fit for our team.

Please note that this role was previously advertised as Operations Manager. We ask that previous applicants of this role need not reapply.

We’d appreciate no contact from agencies regarding this role. We are only accepting direct applications.