At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents in overcoming financial challenges and maintaining their homes.
- Company: Join Hightown Housing Association, a caring organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, performance bonuses, gym access, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on people's lives and help them achieve financial wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of welfare benefits and strong customer service skills required.
Salary: £41,349 per annum
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm (1-hour unpaid lunch break)
Fixed Term Contract - Until 09/08/2027
Make a real difference to people's lives. At Hightown Housing Association, we believe everyone should have a home and the support they need to thrive. As a charitable housing association managing more than 9,000 homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, we are committed to helping people build stable and fulfilling futures.
We are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable Financial Inclusion Officer to join our Housing team on a fixed term contract. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with expertise in welfare benefits, financial inclusion and tenancy sustainment who wants to help people maximise their income, improve financial wellbeing and maintain successful tenancies.
About the role:
- Deliver a professional, customer-focused service that supports residents to overcome financial challenges and sustain their homes.
- Work directly with customers, helping them access benefits, reduce financial hardship, improve budgeting skills and access wider support services.
- Play a key role in preventing tenancy breakdown, homelessness and financial exclusion while helping to maximise rental income and positive outcomes for our residents.
Key responsibilities:
- Providing welfare benefits advice and income maximisation support.
- Helping customers claim their full entitlement to benefits and other financial assistance.
- Supporting residents with budgeting, debt management, fuel poverty and financial hardship issues.
- Carrying out financial assessments and tenancy risk assessments.
- Assisting customers with benefits appeals, mandatory reconsiderations and discretionary housing payment applications.
- Conducting home visits and delivering practical financial support.
- Working closely with local authorities, Department for Work and Pensions teams, support agencies and other partners.
- Identifying external funding opportunities, grants and charitable support for customers.
- Maintaining accurate records and demonstrating positive outcomes through effective case management.
- Providing guidance to colleagues and sharing expertise on welfare benefits and financial inclusion.
About you:
- Strong technical knowledge with excellent customer service skills and a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families.
- Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Department for Work and Pensions benefits, welfare reform and financial inclusion best practice.
- Experience supporting customers with debt advice or debt support pathways.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly and sensitively.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
- Experience working with partner agencies and external stakeholders.
- Confidence handling sensitive and sometimes challenging situations.
- Full UK Driving licence.
- Good IT skills.
Why join Hightown:
- 33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
- Annual performance-based bonus.
- Monthly attendance bonus.
- Blue Light Card.
- On-site gym access.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory right to work, DBS, reference and medical clearances. We will be shortlisting on an ongoing basis so may close the vacancy early. We are an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident Employer.
Financial Inclusion Officer in Hemel Hempstead employer: CIH International Housing Group
Porchlight is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals in North Kent. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous annual leave, a supportive pension scheme, and access to mental health resources, all within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our focus on professional development ensures that our staff have ample opportunities for growth while working in a hands-on role that truly makes a difference in the community.
Contact Details:
CIH International Housing Group Recruitment Team
