Disabled Facilities Grants Officer

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Join the Cheltenham Borough Council team as a Disabled Facilities Grants Officer and play a key role in enhancing the lives of residents!

Location: Cheltenham, GL52 5QJ

Salary: £34,314 - £37,035 per annum

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 16 April 2025

Come and work for an award-winning organisation! We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council dedicated to making Cheltenham a great place to live and work. By supporting thriving communities and businesses while preserving the town’s unique character, we create opportunities for growth and innovation.

As an employer, we are committed to fairness, respect, and creating a stimulating environment where our people can thrive. With benefits like flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, a strong pension scheme, and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, we empower our team to reach their full potential. Together, we’re building a vibrant future for Cheltenham and its people.

The Role:

We are seeking a skilled Disabled Facilities Grants Officer to oversee the technical, specialist, and administrative aspects of disabled facilities grants and other discretionary grants, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and the Council’s Housing Assistance Policy. You will be responsible for managing referrals and processing applications across all housing tenures, from initial receipt through to completion. Your role will focus on delivering value for money, providing exceptional customer support, and effectively managing projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for the timely processing of grant referrals through effective collaboration with applicants, occupational therapists, contractors and agents.
• Act as a point of contact providing specialist technical support on the legislation and building elements for disabled adaptations, general housing construction, repair and the Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS) to all parties.
• Conduct grant eligibility checks for each case and assess any financial contributions from the applicant, keeping the applicant informed at all stages.
• Carry out site inspections at identified stages of the grant delivery process to assess the works, liaising with contractors, agents and applicants as necessary.
• Draft and/or review plans and schedule of works.

You:

• Graduate or higher-level equivalent qualification in a housing, building, surveying or a related subject or significant experience in the delivery of disabled facilities grant work.
• Membership of a professional institute or working towards membership.
• Excellent communications skills, communicating with internal and external partners clearly and concisely at all levels.
• Ability to put adult and child safeguarding at the front and centre.
• Ability to maintain accurate records on the data management system and produce and interpret data for statistical performance.

Benefits:

• An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days rising to 31 days after five years.
• A flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours.
• A comprehensive programme of learning and development.
• Two days paid time off for volunteering.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes.
• An employee counselling service.
• Free eye tests (for some posts) and contribution towards the cost of glasses.
• A cycle to work scheme.
• Low-cost town centre parking for some jobs, depending on work location.
• A commitment to employee wellbeing.

If you’re ready to make a positive impact and help our community thrive, apply now to become a Disabled Facilities Grants Officer with Cheltenham Borough Council!