At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert housing and welfare advice to support residents in need.
- Company: Dynamic local authority focused on improving community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them secure housing and welfare rights.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing advice and strong knowledge of welfare legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location
Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)
Contract
Temporary/Contract (Subject to Assignment)
Hours
Full Time
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced
Housing Welfare & Advisor to provide a specialist housing and welfare advice service to residents across the borough.
You will support customers with housing rights, homelessness prevention, welfare benefits, and income maximisation, ensuring they receive the advice and assistance needed to sustain their housing and improve their wellbeing.
This role requires a strong understanding of housing legislation, welfare rights, and homelessness law, along with the ability to represent customers at tribunals and court hearings where required.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide specialist advice on housing, housing rights, homelessness legislation, and welfare benefits.
- Assess customers’ housing and financial circumstances to identify appropriate support and housing options.
- Support residents with income maximisation by identifying entitlement to welfare benefits and other financial assistance.
- Promote and protect customers’ welfare rights through advice, advocacy, and representation.
- Represent customers at Tribunals and Court Hearings relating to housing and welfare matters.
- Manage a varied caseload, ensuring cases are progressed efficiently and in accordance with legislation and council policies.
- Work closely with internal departments and external partner agencies to deliver coordinated support for customers.
- Contribute to the delivery of externally funded projects and service initiatives aimed at improving resident wellbeing and preventing homelessness.
- Maintain accurate case records and produce reports where required.
- Deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service that meets council objectives and statutory responsibilities.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Experience working in a Housing Advice, Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, Welfare Rights, or similar local authority role.
- Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation, housing law, and housing rights.
- Experience advising customers on welfare benefits and income maximisation.
- Ability to represent customers at Tribunals and/or Court Hearings.
- Experience managing complex housing and welfare cases.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with partner organisations and external stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience maintaining accurate case records and preparing reports.
Desirable
- Previous experience working within a local authority housing service.
- Knowledge of current welfare reform and Universal Credit.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and households at risk of homelessness.
- What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a knowledgeable and customer-focused Housing Welfare & Advisor who is passionate about supporting vulnerable residents.
The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge of housing legislation and welfare rights, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to build effective working relationships with customers and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
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Housing Welfare & Advisor – AR in Walsall employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
As a leading employer in Harrow, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and engagement. Our commitment to professional growth is evident through tailored training programmes and leadership opportunities, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to the Council's strategic objectives. With a focus on diversity and community impact, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying a supportive and dynamic workplace.
Contact Details:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Welfare & Advisor – AR in Walsall
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Carrington Blake Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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We think you need these skills to ace Housing Welfare & Advisor – AR in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Carrington Blake Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Carrington Blake Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
