At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert welfare benefits advice to help residents maximise their income.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Delta Housing Ltd, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave entitlements.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare rights and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38687 - 38687 £ per year.
We are looking for a Welfare Benefits Advisor to provide housing benefit and other benefits advice to residents and employees, to maximise residents' income and increase their ability to afford and sustain their tenancy.
What you'll be doing:
- Provide specialist welfare benefit advice / debt counselling to customers and prospective tenants to maximise their income exploring charities and grant funding.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local authorities Housing Benefits and Government departments, where appropriate.
- Assist applicants with completion of Housing Benefit claims, universal credit and other welfare benefit applications and estimate their likely entitlement.
- Retain a working knowledge of the Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and other welfare benefits system to reflect updates / changes etc.
- Ensure detailed records are kept of communications with customers and compile monthly performance indicators.
What we are looking for:
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- Background in Housing Benefit or welfare rights and Universal Credit.
- Experienced in dealing face to face with vulnerable households, preferably with experience of visiting customers in their homes.
- Ability to work flexibly to manage conflicting priorities.
- Good negotiation, networking and influencing skills.
Please note the office expectancy of this role is as follows: This role can be based at either our Chelmsford or Southend Office. There will be a period of training based at our Chelmsford office for up to 6 weeks, before operating a hybrid working structure which will require office attendance at either location a minimum of 2 days a week.
Benefits:
- The salary for this post will be £38,687 Per Annum.
- Learning and development opportunities.
- Healthcare cash plan.
- Robust employee reward and recognition programme.
- Free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Volunteering programme.
- Competitive pension scheme.
- 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays, 3 extra days between Christmas and New Year and 1 wellbeing day per annum.
- 37 hours per week - employees may be able to work flexibly by agreement with their line manager, taking account of business need.
- We operate a hybrid working policy at Delta Housing Ltd.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications or successfully appoint a candidate before the closing date. We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment.
Welfare Benefits Advisor in Chelmsford employer: Delta Housing
Delta Housing Ltd is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, a robust employee reward programme, and opportunities for continuous learning, staff can thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the community. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring that employees can effectively manage their personal and professional commitments from either our Chelmsford or Southend offices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Benefits Advisor in Chelmsford
✨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 Delta Housing.
✨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 Delta Housing!
✨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 Delta Housing, 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 Delta Housing 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 Welfare Benefits Advisor in Chelmsford
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 Delta Housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Delta Housing! 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 Delta Housing
✨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.
