Welfare Advisor Jobs

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We know that children who read are happier, healthier, more empathetic, and more creative. They also do better at school.

Working with every local authority and across every region in the country, and supported by Arts Council funding, we reach over 3 million families a year via partners in schools, children’s centres, health visitors and libraries. This incredible network helps us to get children reading across the country.

As our Interim HR Advisor, you will play a key role at BookTrust in taking forward our ambitions. With your experience and skills, you will be able support and develop the organisation as we continue to go through significant change to deliver our strategy.

You will have the experience and skills to ensure that our HR processes are managed to a high standard, and you can work with the organisation in delivering highly effective HR support. This will involve working with the HR Lead, our Team Leaders and Senior Managers from recruitment, onboarding, payroll. This includes the maintenance of the HR Information System, supporting core processes and the provision of frontline HR assistance to colleagues on HR issues, where appropriate.

You will also have experience and will be skilled in building strong internal relationships. You will be comfortable taking a deeply collaborative approach and be keen to work alongside expert colleagues in BookTrust to deliver our strategy.

To apply please, send a copy of your CV and covering letter showing how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Your covering letter should not be longer than two sides.

PLEASE NOTE: Applying as soon as possible is advised, as the vacancy may close early, due to the number of applicants.

Want to join us? Find out more about who we are at by visiting our website.

We aim to provide an inclusive recruitment process and actively welcome applications from diverse talent pools: minority ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities and long-term conditions and candidates from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and want to ensure we have an accessible application process for all candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments or would like us to do anything differently during the application process, please contact our HR team (contact details can be found on our website). 

BookTrust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to safeguarding therefore, the suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment, and pre-employment checks.

Forces Employment Charity is seeking a dedicated Client Advisor to join our Support Centre in Birmingham.

Role: The role of Client Advisor is to deliver the support centre function for the programme. Forces Employment Charity delivers a specialist programme to support veterans in the Justice System who may be vulnerable, socially isolated, or need support to live or maintain a law-abiding life.

The role reports to the Support Centre Manager and Support Team Leader. This position is permanent Full-time, 35 hours per week, with a salary of £22,000. The successful candidate will be based at the Support Centre, Birmingham Office / Hybrid with 50% Office-50% WFH once the security clearance is received and training is complete.

Principal Responsibilities:

· Receive referrals of Veterans who are at risk of contact with the Justice System or are involved in the Justice System.

· Make first contact with referrals within 2 working days and complete initial registration.

· Upload client information to case management system.

· Provide initial advice and guidance on registration.

· Support allocated caseworker to engage with the veteran after initial assessment.

· Support Veterans to obtain proof of service and sign required consent forms.

· Provide accurate and responsive telephone, text, social media and email ‘helpdesk’ support to veterans and other stakeholders.

· Record all interactions with accurately on the Salesforce case management system.

· To be flexible and complete any additional tasks, asked of you by the support team leader and Support Centre Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Competencies:

· High quality written and verbal communication skills, with a personable manner and excellent telephone technique.

· Experience of advising and supporting individuals.

· Excellent IT and keyboard skills.

· Experience of business administration, in particular the use of databases and customer management systems to accurately record data.

· Strong organisational skills with a desire to achieve through own initiative.

Desirable Competencies:

· NVQ Level 4 Advice and Guidance.

· Empathy for those who have served in the Armed Forces.

· Understanding of those in the Justice System.

· Salesforce experience, this training will be provided for the successful candidate if they are not already trained.

Security Clearance:

· Successful candidates will also be the subject of an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (EDBS) check and Police Vetting (NPPV2).

Forces Employment Charity is an equal opportunities employer and values having a diverse workforce. We actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

If you meet the criteria and are passionate about applying, please submit a Covering Letter and CV. The closing date for this position is by midnight, 9 October 2024. Please note that this job advert may close early if a suitable candidate is found. Interviews are scheduled to begin the week commencing 14 October 2024.

Forces Employment Charity (FEC) is seeking a dedicated Families Employment Advisor to join our team, focused on providing holistic employment and training advice to the spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

Role: you will provide holistic employment and training advice and guidance to a diverse caseload of spouses and partners of still serving Armed Forces and ex-service personnel (Veterans) with personal development, employability skills, and/or until they are settled in sustainable careers.

The programme provides a combination of coaching and mentoring, practical employment support, access to training, apprenticeships, and corporate mentoring to offer the best possible opportunities to upskill and gain fulfilling employment.

The role reports to the National Employment Projects Manager. This permanent Full-time position is 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with some out-of-hours/weekend events, and pays £28,325. The successful candidate will be Home-based with occasional travel around Plymouth / Southwest.

 

Principal Responsibilities:

 

· Make a positive impact by putting our clients at the heart of everything you do.

· Assess individual client’s needs; identify any challenges and barriers.

· Build rapport, show empathy, motivate, and increase aspirations.

· Support clients to develop their CVs and prepare for the job application process and interviews, along with soft skills including basic digital upskilling if required.

· Networking and engagement: promote the benefits of FEC case worker support to spouses and partners (families) of Armed Forces and Ex-Service personnel, and stakeholders.

· Work with Marcoms officer to promote FEC Spouses & Partners support to beneficiaries, charities and other organisations working with military spouses and partners.

· Work with colleagues to support Employer Engagement to generate employment opportunities for military partners and spouses.

· Provide advice and guidance to spouses and partners of serving Armed Forces and Ex Forces personnel throughout the journey into employment or training following the FEC Case Management Guidance and Work Instructions.

 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential Competencies:

· Evidence of working in a customer facing environment and delivering excellent customer service.

· Strong collaborator and teammate.

· Excellent organisational, time management and administrative skills, and experience of using a CRM to record confidential information and track progress.

· Comfortable with working to targets, KPIs and deadlines.

· Able to demonstrate coaching/mentoring experience and influencing skills.

· Passionate about personal development and helping others achieve their goals.

· A desire to achieve through self-motivation and initiative, with an ability to exercise judgement and discretion.

· Empathy with Armed Forces personnel and an understanding of the challenges faced by them and their families in finding appropriate and sustainable employment.

· Aligned with and committed to our organisational values.

Desirable Competencies:

· Lived experience.

· A good understanding of the employment and education market, including recruitment, welfare-to-work provision, work-based learning, and vocational training.

· NVQ L4 in Advice, Information and Guidance.

Security Clearance:

· Successful candidates will also be the subject of an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (EDBS) check.

Forces Employment Charity is an equal opportunities employer and values having a diverse workforce. We actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

If you meet the criteria and are passionate about applying, please submit a Covering Letter and CV. The closing date for this position is by midnight, 17 October 2024. Please note that this job advert may close early if a suitable candidate is found. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received.

Our Safeguarding Team has a great opportunity for you to join them as a Safeguarding Advisor, where you can contribute to making the Trust a safeguarding first organisation that is a safe and supportive place for young people to be part of.

You will provide safeguarding support and advice to our frontline colleagues, volunteers and partners working with children and young people aged 11-30 participating in Prince's Trust programmes and activities.

Your primary focus will be on case management of safeguarding referrals for young people across the four nations of the UK. You will be responsible for triaging safeguarding concerns, managing a caseload and being part of a duty rota across the Safeguarding Team. You will contribute to the safeguarding data and performance ensuring that we demonstrate the impact of our work. You will also train and support colleagues locally and across the organisation, as well as being supported in your own work and professional development so that you can make a real difference in the lives of the young people at the Prince’s Trust. 

There is a very strong commitment to safeguarding across the Trust and this means that there will be developing opportunities for you and your colleagues to promote our safeguarding first culture throughout the Prince’s Trust and allow the young people we support to achieve their best outcomes.

Background to the role

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 meet regularly with line manager for support, 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 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 East London’s policies and procedures including: EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

 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.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

· Minimum of 18 months experience of providing welfare advice whether in a paid or voluntary setting.

Desirable

· Experience of supervising volunteers.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

· Holds NVQ Level 3 Advice & Guidance, or equivalent, qualification, or ability.

· Expert knowledge and understanding of Social Welfare rights and all relevant legislation/areas of law.

· Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.

Desirable

· Knowledge of social care and the care act.

Skills/Attributes

Essential

· Intermediate IT skills, in particular use of Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel.

· Strong written and verbal communication.

· Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.

· A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers*.

· A commitment to professional learning and development and reflective practise.

Additional Requirements

· This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

· Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.

· This post may require occasional evening and weekend work.

Employment Details

 Contract type

This contracted post is for 28 hours per week and may very rarely require some out of hours or weekend work as required.  We welcome application for flexible working including reduced hours and other flexible working arrangements.

Location

We support hybrid working to suit our team. When in the office, the post holder will be based at Russia Lane but some travel across east London may be required to meet the needs of the service.

Salary 

Between £31,930 and £35,020 pa pro rata for part time.  Plus 5% employer pension contribution.

We have recently introduced a salary bands system. This salary range refers to the lowest and top steps of the grade. Salary will progress every year until the top salary is reached.

Holiday entitlement

25 days (pro-rata for contracted hours) of paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. This increases after two years of service to 27 days, and then a further one day per every year of service up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service. In addition, all employees are entitled to one day off on (or around) their Birthday.

Conditions of employment

The job offer is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory Employment References, an enhanced DBS Check and evidence of relevant Qualification.

How We Value Our People

Learning and development

We are committed to supporting our staff through a variety of training, e-learning, workshop and shadowing. A training needs assessment is carried out annually. During the appraisal and reviewed during supervision. The majority of vacancies are advertised internally to encourage staff to progress their careers within the charity.

Flexible working policy

We welcome flexible working requests from day one and anyone can make as many requests as they wish to.

Family Friendly Policy

We have a competitive Family Friendly Policy which includes maternity, paternity adoption and shared parental leave. We have an enhanced maternity and paternity pay policy based on the length of service.

Sick leave policy

We also have a competitive sick pay policy which will give you up to 4 months full pay and 4 months half pay after 4 years of service.

Death in service insurance

We have a Death in service insurance which will help your family to cope financially should something happen to you while employed with us.

Employee assistance programme

We offer an Employee Assistance programme called WeCare which includes 24/7 online GP, Get fit programme, Mental health support, Financial and legal guidance.

Menopause and menstrual policy

The policy supports employees in their ability to adequately self-care during their period and menopause, while not being penalised by having to deplete their sick leave.

Open Door policy

The purpose of policy is to encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any matter of importance to an employee.

Wellbeing policy

The policy is aimed to promote mental wellbeing among staff and volunteers and tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems.

Duncan Robertson Award

For the outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of older people.

Cycle to work scheme

The scheme allows employees to obtain commuter bikes and cycling accessories through their employer, whilst spreading the cost over 12 months and making unbeatable savings through a tax break

Other benefits

Through Age UK National we provide the BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, the Blue Light Discount Card, access to a discount portal provided by AON and Ticket for Good.

Next Steps

 How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form on our website.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline to receive applications: 23rd September 2024 at 9.00am

1st stage interviews: Week commencing 30th September 2024

Have any questions? If you want to find out more about the recruitment process or the role, please contact our HR department

Location: This is a hybrid role between in-office/ home working. There is expectation to be physically present in office 60% working week, on average.

Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB) is a leading provider of legal advice and information, supporting thousands of clients every year. We are a busy, client focused and dynamic service with a track record of delivering high quality advice. Our services are delivered between 8am – 6pm. Postholders will be expected to actively contribute to service delivery rotas between these times.

Our Welfare Benefits team provide an excellent advice service across a number of channels and locations and under a number of different funding streams.

The Welfare Benefits Supervisor will have a detailed understanding of Welfare Benefits advice in order to provide detailed technical support to the Welfare Benefits team and other teams within CABB. There will also be some requirement to provide direct advice to clients.
The Welfare Benefits Supervisor will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Ensure high quality advice by actively listening to/ shadowing advice sessions and conducting independent file reviews,
• Develop team expertise in line with individual training plans and supervisions,
• Provide training and support to develop members of staff,
• Work towards, and maintain technical supervisor standards through a structured training plan,
• Actively contribute to the working of the Welfare Benefit team with solutions and ideas to support the running of the team,
• 8 of 14
• Work with partner organisations to promote the CABB service.

To be successful in this role you will be able to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, exhibit excellent listening and questioning skills and to present and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

You will liaise with contacts across various agencies to find resolutions for escalated issues and you will understand the importance of security and data protection to ensure all data is protected in line with GDPR legislation. You will have a good standard of numeracy and be proficient in the use of computer packages with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. You will have an open and friendly demeanour and be able to work as part of a diverse team.

At CABB, we value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from racially minoritised communities.

Closing date is Monday 7th October 2024, 10:00am

Interviews will be held Monday 14th October 2024

CV and Cover Letter Apply Accepted

Applications received after the closing date & time, will not be considered. 

Advisor and Caseworker - Integrated Advice

Location: Bromley by Bow Centre, London - Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London
Salary: £32,082 per annum (pro rata to £25,665 p.a 0.8 FTE)
Job Type: Part time, 28 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent

We are recruiting an Advisor and Caseworker to help us meet the growing needs of our community who are facing the cost-of-living crisis, energy crisis and help improve their health and wellbeing. The Integrated Advice service at the Bromley by Bow Centre is a well-established programme of support which has been running within East London for over a decade, providing in-depth one-to-one advice on welfare benefits, debt, housing, financial and energy advice, community workshops, training and volunteering opportunities.

All our advisors are expected to work across a range of contracts and support the team in its delivery of key performance indicators (KPIs). The Centre’s holistic approach means that we seek to support peoples’ multiple needs. Within all of our services, we aim to gain an understanding of our clients’ needs and support them to access a range of services and activities both at the Centre and through local partners.

This role will focus on supporting local older residents who are living in poverty. The Advisor and Caseworker will reach out to identify and engage with older residents in need, liaising closely with other local services. The role will provide free, impartial and confidential advice to older people in Tower Hamlets and neighbouring boroughs on a range of issues including welfare benefits, housing, debt, money management, energy advice and community care.

You may have experience in the following roles: Welfare Advisor, Housing Caseworker, Debt Advisor, Money Advice Caseworker, Benefits Advisor, Community Outreach Worker, Support Worker, Advocacy Caseworker, Citizen Advice Bureau Advisor, Financial Inclusion Officer, Income Maximisation Officer, Social Welfare Advisor, etc.

REF-216 798

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Building Compliance Advisor. You will be responsible for ensuring that Refuge complies with statutory building and property obligations and monitor changes in industry standards and regulators requirements. The post holder will also monitor obligations in property agreements and support corporate services and provide technical advice which may require research. The post holder will collect property data to demonstrate compliance and for reporting purposes as well as update Refuge’s property polices accordingly and train people.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies

Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Salary: £29,702 per annum (pro rata to £23,761 p.a 0.8 FTE)
Location: Bromley by Bow Centre, London - Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London

We are recruiting an Advisor and Caseworker to help us meet the growing needs of our community who are facing the cost of living crisis, energy crisis and help improve their health and wellbeing.

The Integrated Advice service at the Bromley by Bow Centre is a well-established programme of support which has been running within East London for over a decade, providing in-depth one-to-one advice on welfare benefits, debt, housing, financial and energy advice, community workshops, training and volunteering opportunities. All our advisors are expected to work across a range of contracts and support the team in its delivery of key performance indicators (KPIs). The Centre’s holistic approach means that we seek to support peoples’ multiple needs. Within all of our services, we aim to gain an understanding of our clients’ needs and support them to access a range of services and activities both at the Centre and through local partners.

As a Generalist Advisor you will provide initial triage and assessments to people accessing the Integrated Advice to identify individual needs, complexity of the issue(s) and specific requirements. You will deliver advice sessions onsite and in outreach venues such as GP surgeries, children centres and neighbourhood hubs. Provide free, impartial and confidential assisted and generalist advice to clients on a range of issues including social welfare, housing, debt, energy advice and money management.

You may have experience in the following roles: Welfare Advisor, Housing Caseworker, Debt Advisor, Money Advice Caseworker, Benefits Advisor, Community Outreach Worker, Support Worker, Advocacy Caseworker, Citizen Advice Bureau Advisor, Financial Inclusion Officer, Income Maximisation Officer, Social Welfare Advisor, etc.

REF-216 799

We have an exciting opportunity for a Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday
• £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part time roles)
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the Role:

This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working. There is an expectation that you will do a mixture of working from home and our office Singer Street.

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

• Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
• Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
• Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.
• Have excellent communication skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to be able to influence the way in which this service is delivered are key.

You will need:

• Have a knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
• Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
• Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
• Have excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Have a strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

CIEH is seeking to encourage a culture of governance that promotes openness, transparency, integrity, values diversity, is compliant, accountable and responsive.

The Governance Advisor will:

• Advise CIEH's Board and Committees in line with the governance framework and statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide high quality, professional governance services as well as support successful AGMs and elections.
• Work across a full range of governance activities, leading on identifying and delivering opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our governance.
• Provide support for fitness to practice cases and act as hearing co-ordinator to fitness to practice panels.

The contract will be for a period of 3 years, commencing January 2025. As such, the salary noted above does not apply, fees will be agreed as part of the Invitation To Tender (ITT) process. Further details of the ITT Governance Advisor role, including how to apply, can be found in Application resources section below.

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Welfare Rights Specialist

Reports to: Manager of Advice Services
Location: Westminster, Central London
Hours: Full time or part time (21-35 hours)

Salary: £36,000 per year (pro rata for part time)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit a Welfare Right Specialist to provide provide a structured information, advice and casework service (including representation at tribunal where appropriate) to clients of the centre with complex welfare rights issues. This is an exciting role in our Advice team that will manage a specialist welfare rights caseload and provide emergency housing advice to clients in crisis. You will work closely with other teams in the centre to ensure clients are offered an integrated holistic service. You will also build and maintain good relationships with statutory and other partners and to work together with them to get the best outcomes for our clients and to monitor unmet need locally so that this can be addressed.

This is just one of the new posts we are recruiting as part of a new project to support families experiencing homelessness in and around Westminster.  It follows a report we published last year on the lived experience of families living in temporary accommodation. We are delighted to have secured funding to help us build on this research and pilot different approaches to reach those most in need.  We want to develop support that not only meets emergency needs but can enable longer term outcomes.  Our aim is to build the case for positive change and reduce future rates of homelessness and poverty.  In this role you can play a part in designing, testing and evidencing different approaches with a team of colleagues that cross different advice specialisms and professional family support.

You will join a Centre with a distinct service offer.  In our staff survey last year 94 % of colleagues said they enjoy the work they do, and 95% felt they make a difference.  Our central London location and generous supporter base is helping us build our impact and influence through a strengthened ability to evidence the impact of our work.  We work hard to give our advisors the time and autonomy to achieve the greatest change for our clients.

Please refer to the job description for further information.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. You must account for any gaps in your employment history. In your cover letter please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The Centre requires staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

Benefits
‍· 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata for part time staff), rising to 28 days (pro rata for part time staff) after two years’ service
· Pension: the Centre provides a stakeholder pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
· Life assurance cover(after probation passed)
· Season ticket loan
· Training and development opportunities

Closing date for applications: There is no closing date for this role.  We will be evaluating applications as we receive them, so if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

As part of SNG's commitment to build Thriving Communities, our brand-new Debt Advice Service sits alongside an array of other support services including Employment, Energy, Job Coaching, Money Coaching and Money and Debt advice.

You'll have the opportunity to join a business that puts customers at the heart of all we do and shape one of the largest programmes being delivered to support people through the cost-of-living crisis.

We're pleased to have an opportunity to join our brand-new Debt Advice Team on a full-time permanent basis.

This role will follow our hybrid approach of home, office and resident visit working. Your office location will be either Blandford, Christchurch or Basingstoke. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of a brand-new Debt Advice Service, where you'll play a key role in shaping and developing its offering during its inaugural year.

Alongside this, you'll provide comprehensive, day-to-day Debt Advice to customers, taking a holistic approach to their financial situations.

Collaborating closely with both established teams and newly created roles, you'll help deliver a well-rounded, ‘whole household' service that's tailored to meet the unique needs and vulnerabilities of our customers.

Your work will be instrumental in sustaining tenancies and enhancing residents' financial resilience.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver accurate and up to date Debt and Money Advice within FCA guidelines
• Assist customers to prepare financial statements.
• Take a proactive and explorative approach to obtaining and understanding information
• Assist customers by negotiating by letter or telephone with creditors and other agencies e.g., fuel companies, local authorities, DWP and consumer credit companies etc
• Negotiate with third parties, including statutory and non-statutory organisations where required
• Prepare and present cases to the necessary statutory bodies and negotiate with third parties as appropriate
• Assist clients with other associated problems, referring to other advisers/agencies
• Provide advice and signposting towards, training or employment, linking up with internal and external specialists to assist
• Maintain accurate records of cases, in line with policy, procedure and legislation

We are accepting applications for unqualified Debt Advisers, with the understanding that completion of a Money Advice and Pensions Service (MaPs) Accredited qualification is achieved within a reasonable period once appointed. Salaries offered will reflect the relevant qualification status, with a view to increasing once achieved.

Your experience

To be considered for this role, you'll need:

• Solid experience in providing advice, ideally within a similar setting, with an understanding of FCA regulations and compliance standards.
• Strong customer service skills are crucial, particularly in supporting vulnerable individuals and tailoring services to meet their unique needs.
• You should have experience managing client caseloads, and preparing cases for statutory bodies, with excellent communication skills across various channels.
• Collaboration and teamwork are key, as you'll work closely with colleagues and external partners while providing guidance to less experienced team members.
• A proactive approach to staying current with regulatory changes and a commitment to personal development, including obtaining a MaPs-accredited Debt Advice qualification if not already held, are essential.

Your benefits

You'll be given the opportunity to grow your skills within a role that will bring great satisfaction.

Some of our benefits include:

• £450 yearly flexible benefit pot to use against benefits of your choice
• Flexible working – working from home
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• Generous matching pension scheme up to 12%
• Life cover
• Part of our Recognition scheme where you can be gifted retail vouchers
• Wellbeing discounts including Gym Memberships
• Wide selection of other benefits available

 

What we do makes a real difference to people's lives and by joining us you can share the satisfaction of doing something that really matters. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at Sovereign. Check out our careers site to learn more about us and our values.

The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness.

Job title: Housing Advisor

Reports to: Manager of Advice Services
Location: Westminster, Central London
Hours: Full time or part time (21-35 hours)

Salary: £36,000 per year (pro rata for part time)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you want to leverage your skills to combat homelessness for children and young people? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking to recruit a Housing Advisor to provide a structured advice and information service to clients of the centre in housing law, housing options and aspects of welfare benefits that relate to housing and homelessness. This is an exciting role in our Advice team that will manage a specialist housing caseload and provide emergency housing advice to clients in crisis. You will work closely with other teams in the centre to ensure clients are offered an integrated holistic service. You will also build and maintain good relationships with statutory and other partners and to work together with them to get the best outcomes for our clients and to monitor unmet need locally so that this can be addressed.

This is just one of the new posts we are recruiting as part of a new project to support families experiencing homelessness in and around Westminster.  It follows a report we published last year on the lived experience of families living in temporary accommodation. We are delighted to have secured funding to help us build on this research and pilot different approaches to reach those most in need.  We want to develop support that not only meets emergency needs but can enable longer term outcomes.  Our aim is to build the case for positive change and reduce future rates of homelessness and poverty.  In this role you can play a part in designing, testing and evidencing different approaches with a team of colleagues that cross different advice specialisms and professional family support.

You will join a Centre with a distinct service offer.  In our staff survey last year 94 % of colleagues said they enjoy the work they do, and 95% felt they make a difference.  Our central London location and generous supporter base is helping us build our impact and influence through a strengthened ability to evidence the impact of our work.  We work hard to give our advisors the time and autonomy to achieve the greatest change for our clients. 

Please refer to the job description for further information.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. You must account for any gaps in your employment history. In your cover letter please outline how you meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The Centre requires staff and volunteers to complete a criminal records self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.

Benefits
‍· 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata for part time staff), rising to 28 days (pro rata for part time staff) after two years’ service
· Pension: the Centre provides a stakeholder pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
· Life assurance cover(after probation passed)
· Season ticket loan
· Training and development opportunities

Closing date for applications: There is no closing date for this role.  We will be evaluating applications as we receive them, so if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.