At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert advice on housing rights and welfare benefits to support residents.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Civic Recruitment Limited in Walsall.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, bi-weekly pay, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Empower vulnerable individuals and promote financial wellbeing in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing advice and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Housing & Welfare Advisor to join a busy Housing and Welfare team. This specialist role involves providing advice and support on housing rights, homelessness, welfare benefits, income maximisation, and financial wellbeing. You will work directly with residents to help them access the support and assistance they need while promoting independence, housing stability, and improved outcomes. You will also work closely with a range of internal teams and external organisations, supporting partnership initiatives and representing customers at Tribunals and Court Hearings where required.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide specialist advice on:
- Housing Rights
- Homelessness Legislation
- Welfare Benefits
- Welfare Reform
- Welfare Rights
- Manage a caseload of housing and welfare-related cases.
- Support residents to maximise their income and access available benefits.
- Assist vulnerable households facing housing, financial, or welfare challenges.
- Represent clients at Tribunals and Court Hearings where appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
- Support joint working initiatives and externally funded projects.
- Promote financial inclusion, wellbeing, and tenancy sustainment.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and case notes.
- Ensure services are delivered in line with legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Deliver a responsive, customer-focused service to residents and stakeholders.
Experience Required
- Experience providing Housing Advice, Welfare Rights, Benefits Advice, or Homelessness Prevention services.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Homelessness Law
- Welfare Benefits
- Welfare Reform
- Experience managing complex customer cases.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and households.
- Excellent communication, advocacy, and negotiation skills.
- Experience working with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
- Strong report writing and case recording skills.
- Previous Local Authority experience.
- Experience representing customers at Tribunals or Court Hearings.
- Knowledge of debt advice, tenancy sustainment, or financial inclusion services.
- Experience delivering partnership projects or externally funded programmes.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to interpret and explain legislation clearly.
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities.
- Empathetic and person-centred approach.
- Ability to build effective relationships with customers and partners.
- Resilient and professional when managing complex cases.
What's on Offer?
- 2 Month Contract
- Location: Walsall
- Hybrid Working – 3 Days Office-Based Per Week
- Enhanced DBS Required
- Bi-weekly Pay
- Opportunity to work within a specialist Housing & Welfare service.
- Varied role covering housing advice, welfare rights, income maximisation, and advocacy.
Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with experience as a Housing Advisor, Welfare Rights Officer, Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Prevention Officer, Welfare Benefits Advisor, Financial Inclusion Officer, Housing Support Officer, or Income Maximisation Advisor.
Housing & Welfare Officer in Walsall employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where strategic leadership in the Special Educational Needs service can truly make a difference in children's lives. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes in the Bromley community. The supportive culture and commitment to high-quality services make this an attractive opportunity for those looking to lead impactful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing & Welfare Officer 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 Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Civic Recruitment Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Civic Recruitment Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Civic Recruitment Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing & Welfare Officer 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 Civic Recruitment Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Civic Recruitment Limited! 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 Civic Recruitment Limited
✨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.
