At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable tenants with debt management and welfare guidance.
- Company: Freebridge Community Housing, dedicated to providing affordable homes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday leave, health support, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and debt recovery, with empathy for clients.
The predicted salary is between 28796 - 35196 £ per year.
We are looking for a dedicated Income Advisor to manage a caseload of debt cases with both compassion and determination - supporting financially vulnerable tenants through welfare guidance and partnership working, while overseeing high-arrears cases, initiating enforcement action where necessary and contributing to the financial stability of Freebridge Community Housing.
Our Freebridge Community Housing goal is to provide affordable, safe, and quality homes for current and future generations, for those who need a place to call home. Freebridge was set up in 2006, to receive the transfer of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s housing stock. We now have over 7500 properties across West and North Norfolk, in addition to building new homes for social and affordable rent, and to support those who want to move into shared home ownership. We’ve had numerous achievements, including delivering our customers' promises and bringing homes to the Decent Homes Standard, affording our customers a much better quality of living. At Freebridge, we live by our values: Belong, Own It, Think Customer, One Team One Purpose, and Be the Change.
Requirements
- Deliver a professional and customer-focused advisory service, maximising income and reducing customer debt in accordance with policies and relevant legislation.
- Manage higher-level arrears cases from Notice of Seeking Possession stage and beyond, ensuring appropriate and supportive recovery action is taken in line with procedures.
- Take enforcement action where required, attending court to represent Freebridge Community Housing and achieve the desired outcome in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocol.
- Attend evictions when necessary, acting in line with procedures and with sensitivity to the circumstances of those involved.
- Build and maintain close working relationships with key stakeholders, external agencies and internal colleagues to deliver a comprehensive service tailored to each customer's individual circumstances.
- Take ownership of your own professional development, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of income best practice and welfare and benefit advice, using this expertise to provide in-depth support to customers.
- Assist with pre-tenancy assessments for prospective Freebridge customers, ensuring properties are financially suitable and promoting tenancy sustainment from the outset.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Proven experience within a customer service environment working for a housing provider or other public sector organisation, including direct face-to-face interaction with customers.
- Experience of managing accounts and recovering outstanding arrears, while providing empathetic and practical support to customers in financial difficulty.
- A solid knowledge of debt collection processes and the agencies involved in supporting vulnerable customers, with the ability to apply this knowledge effectively in a case management setting.
- Proven experience of working with a wide range of customers with varied and complex needs, including the ability to handle challenging and confrontational situations with professionalism and sensitivity.
- A full UK driving licence and access to their own vehicle, as the role may require travel to court hearings, external meetings and other locations as needed.
Benefits
At Freebridge, we’re appreciative of our team and you can enjoy the following benefits from joining us, among many more:
- An Annual Salary of: £33,078.07
- Generous Holiday Leave: Enjoy 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service.
- Exclusive Employee Discounts: Access amazing deals through our Reward Gateway.
- Comprehensive Leave Policies: Enjoy 6 months full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks full pay for paternity leave.
- Health and Wellbeing Support: Access physio and counselling services, along with an employee assistance programme.
- Charitable Leave: One day per year to volunteer for a cause you care about.
- Discounted Gym Membership: Stay fit with discounted membership at Alive Leisure.
- Pension Scheme: A great pension scheme with generous employer contributions (up to 12%).
Diversity & Inclusion:
Diversity is key to our values and culture. We create a workplace where every voice is heard and respected, embracing diverse perspectives to drive innovation. Our inclusive environment empowers colleagues, ensuring equal opportunities for all. We don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. We’re happy to accommodate reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to enable you to perform your best. As part of this commitment, we also offer accessibility tours for candidates to help ensure an inclusive and welcoming experience from the outset.
Income Advisor in King's Lynn employer: Freebridge Community Housing
Freebridge Community Housing is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive work culture where every voice is valued. As a Digital Skills Trainer, you will benefit from generous holiday leave, comprehensive health support, and a strong pension scheme, all while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance the lives of residents in West and North Norfolk. Join us in making a difference while enjoying exclusive employee discounts and opportunities for professional development in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Contact Details:
Freebridge Community Housing Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Advisor in King's Lynn
✨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 Freebridge Community 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 Freebridge Community 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 Freebridge Community 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 Freebridge Community 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 Income Advisor in King's Lynn
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 Freebridge Community Housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Freebridge Community 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 Freebridge Community 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.
