Contract type: Permanent / Part time 18 hours per week A Funerals & Support Officer is required to join the Customer Financial Affairs Team for 18 hours per week. The working days each week will be Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri, 4.5 hours per day. The Funerals & Support Officer will provide a comprehensive Public Health funeral service including protection of property duties. They will also carry out a range of financial duties to support the Customer Financial Affairs team in the efficient and effective provision the customer financial affairs function in accordance with statutory requirements. Key tasks and responsibilities: To arrange Public Health funerals under S46 of the Public Health Act 1984 within a set timeframe. To deal in an effective and sensitive manner with Public Health Funerals and enquiries to the funeral service, working with minimum supervision to respond to priorities and meet the required deadlines. This may include providing advice to relatives who are arranging the funerals themselves regarding how to proceed and what to do after a death. To trace and make contact with relatives of the deceased to advise of the death and to confirm if there is anyone to take responsibility for the funeral. To deal with the estate of the deceased and recover monies from the Estate for funeral and administration costs where appropriate. This includes communicating and corresponding with Solicitors, Banks, Treasury Solicitors and other external organisations. To raise requisitions on Agresso to facilitate payments of funeral invoices. To undertake visits and detailed searches of properties (accompanied), sometimes working in poor conditions or run down properties, to secure clients’ personal effects under the Care Act 2014 ensuring the following;Compliance with health and safety procedures conducting a risk assessment as required. Conduct a thorough search of items to look for financial and personal information and valuable personal items. Arrange the sale/auction of valuable items. To provide advice on the Hounslow Community Funerals Service and advice on the procedure to apply for a Social Fund payment and other benefits to assist with funeral costs, and to deal with enquiries relating to the Hounslow Community Funerals Service. To assist with the renewal of the Public Health Funeral Contract via a procurement process. To recover funeral and administration costs to meet income targets for the Funerals budget. To provide statistical information as required for Freedom of Information requests. To assist Customer Financial Affairs by inputting clients’ benefits onto clients’ accounts on a monthly basis and to rectify any discrepancies in order to maintain accurate records. To check and process clients’ invoices within the required timeframe on the Council’s banking portal following the Council’s financial regulations. To keep up to date with new developments by attending Bereavement Forums, Benefit courses, etc. Essential Skills and Attributes: Experience of working with bereaved families and an understanding of bereavement in order to respond to enquiries in a sensitive manner. Experience of working in a financial environment. Ability to demonstrate a high standard of oral and written communication with members of the public, financial institutions, council officers and other external and professional bodies. Ability to write clear information in the form of letters and leaflets and prepare and present information to a group. Ability to demonstrate a high level of accuracy and numerical skills to maintain financial records and produce statistical information. Ability to plan and prioritise and manage own workload and conflicting priorities without close supervision to meet deadlines and targets. Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel at an intermediate level or above, and able to use internal systems and financial and accounting databases. Ability to be a good team player and to build and manage good working relationships both internally and externally within the work environment. Ability to provide an excellent customer service at all times, relating to people in a sensitive manner, with regard to diversity and respect for different religious and cultural needs.