Salary Basis: Per annum
Leave Entitlement: 28 days
Application Deadline: 11/01/2025, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s): 21/01/25
About the Borough:
Joining us, you get to work for not just one high performing London Borough, but two. Sutton and Kingston councils have a number of shared services serving both authorities, with some teams and roles more focused on one Council than the other, but the majority are shared across both, meaning you get multiple opportunities to learn from a wider pool of activities and two different political bodies.
We work flexibly in both Sutton and Kingston offices, and support working at home or flexible working patterns that enable you to tailor your working and personal life. We provide the equipment and tools to enable you to work flexibly, and in return ask you to use that flexibility to be creative and ambitious in the services we deliver.
There are some exciting developments in both Sutton and Kingston, including the London Cancer Hub, a world-leading cancer research and treatment hub, and the largest housing regeneration programme in Kingston, focusing on energy-efficient housing. Both boroughs are committed to tackling the climate emergency and investing in new technologies to improve our climate impact.
Sutton is well connected and known for excellent schools and green spaces, while Kingston is a beautiful Royal borough with a historic setting and a vibrant retail centre. Both councils are controlled by Liberal Democrat Administrations with ambitious plans to engage effectively with residents and foster community involvement.
About the Role:
The role of Financial Inclusion Officer is to provide an in-depth income maximisation and money management service to Kingston Council tenants to support them in sustaining their tenancy.
Responsibilities:
* Achieve income maximisation, including the completion of welfare benefits applications.
* Provide support and advice on money management and effective budgeting.
* Complete income and expenditure forms to assist tenants in setting up affordable repayment plans for outstanding debts.
* Complete welfare benefits mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.
* Work collaboratively with both internal and external departments and partner agencies to support tenants in managing their finances.
Our Ideal Candidate:
The essential qualifications for the role include a minimum of 5 GCSEs. Candidates must have in-depth knowledge of welfare benefits and experience providing money management and budgeting advice.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary, along with the ability to provide detailed case recording. Empathy is crucial when working with financially vulnerable tenants.
Face-to-face appointments will be offered in Guildhall 2, so candidates must be willing to attend the office at least 2 days per week. Desirable qualifications include Citizens Advice Adviser training and knowledge of NEC/Iworld and Civica systems, though training will be provided if required.
About Us:
The team works with tenants to develop financial capability and independence by offering:
* Proactive service delivery with appointments for new tenants.
* Free impartial advice on welfare benefits and tax credits.
* Face-to-face appointments for welfare benefit or debt issues.
* Assistance with housing benefit disputes and backdates.
* Guidance on making benefit appeals.
* Advice concerning Universal Credit.
* Management of casework for an average of 30 households/individuals.
* Money guidance advice and signposting to specialist agencies.
* Monthly statistics on performance and financial outcomes.
Our Offer To You:
We value and nurture talent, offering a supportive environment for career development. Our modern, flexible working environment includes access to IT infrastructure, Google Chromebooks, and Google Apps. Our Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme improves work-life balance by allowing staff to work from various locations.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays.
* Flexi-time (for roles at grades 1-9).
* Three volunteering days per year.
* Comprehensive learning and development programme.
* Local and national discounts for shopping and leisure activities.
* Interest-free season ticket loans.
* Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Car parking scheme.
* Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme.
* Zip car scheme.
* Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses.
* Confidential wellbeing and counselling support.
* Subsidised gym membership.
Application Process:
Please apply online, outlining your skills and experience relevant to this role. Refer to the requirements in the job profile when completing your application. The closing date is a guide; we reserve the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received, so early submission is advised.
Additional Information:
We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive Borough, aiming to create a workforce that reflects our community. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from under-represented groups. As part of our Disability Confident Committed status, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We offer family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and inclusive staff networks to support our diversity agenda.
For right to work guidance, please check the GOV.UK website regarding the new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers.
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