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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess applications for housing support and provide vital assistance to residents in need.
- Company: Join Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse borough in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community by helping those facing financial hardship.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of housing benefits and understanding of financial hardship is essential.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with great career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 31000 £ per year.
Salary range: Scale 6: £34,998 – £37,134 p.a. inclusive of London weighting SO1: £37,692 – £39,276 p.a. inclusive of London weighting
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre
About Brent
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Post
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate individual to work as an Assessment Officer within Resident Services to action applications relating to Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), Resident Support Fund (RSF), Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Social Care financial assessments and concessionary travel or any other schemes the Council implements. You will be responsible for assessing applications, making informed decisions in line with legislation, guidance and local policy, and ensuring that public funds are used appropriately to prevent homelessness and alleviate hardship. The role involves working closely with residents, internal teams and external partners to provide holistic and timely support.
The Person
- Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments, or local welfare schemes.
- Understanding of financial hardship, vulnerability and the impact of poverty on residents.
- Aware of equality, diversity and safeguarding principles in service delivery.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments or local welfare schemes.
- Understanding of homelessness prevention duties and related legislation.
Why join us?
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
- Supportive family-friendly policies for parents, guardians and carers
- Health and wellbeing support, including eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and great onsite facilities
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment
Closing date: Wednesday 11 February 2026 (23:59)
Additional Information
If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the criteria on the Person Specification. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement. Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section of the application. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working. As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including "non-visible" disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.
Assessment Officer employer: Borough of Brent
Contact Detail:
Borough of Brent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessment Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Brent Council and its values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their vibrant community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to assessment roles, like how you would handle financial hardship cases. We can help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Be ready to discuss your knowledge of Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've made informed decisions in past roles, especially in challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Assessment Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria in the Person Specification. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the role!
Showcase Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, and other relevant schemes. We’re looking for someone who knows their stuff, so don’t hold back on sharing your insights!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to hit that 'Apply Now' button on our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Brent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, and Discretionary Housing Payments. Understanding these areas will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Empathy
As an Assessment Officer, you'll be working closely with residents facing financial hardship. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach sensitive situations and demonstrate your compassion and understanding of the challenges they face.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Policies
Research Brent Council's policies and any recent changes in legislation related to housing support. This will help you align your answers with their values and show that you're proactive about understanding the local context.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and the council's transformation agenda. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
