Community Advice and Employability Officer in London

1. Job Purpose

To provide accessible, high-quality, confidential and impartial advice, information and practical support to Hackney residents experiencing financial hardship, welfare benefit difficulties, housing problems, unemployment and other challenges affecting their financial wellbeing.

The postholder will deliver a person-centred advice service, supporting individuals to maximise their income, access appropriate benefits and services, address financial difficulties and improve their long-term financial resilience.

An important element of the role will involve engaging with young adults aged 18–25, helping them overcome barriers to accessing advice, financial support, education, training and employment.

The postholder will work across Hackney Marsh Partnership's community facilities and with local partner organisations to ensure that advice services are accessible to residents who may otherwise struggle to obtain support.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Advice and Casework

• Provide confidential, impartial and independent advice on welfare benefits, financial hardship, housing-related matters and access to public services.
• Undertake benefit entitlement checks and support clients with applications, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.
• Assist residents experiencing financial difficulties, including budgeting, income maximisation and referrals for specialist debt advice.
• Support clients with housing-related issues, including rent arrears, housing benefit and access to appropriate housing services.
• Manage an individual caseload, ensuring accurate records, appropriate follow-up and timely progression of cases.
• Identify issues requiring specialist intervention and make appropriate referrals.
• Advocate on behalf of clients, where appropriate, with statutory agencies and other service providers.

B. Young Adult Advice and Support

• Provide accessible and engaging advice to young adults aged 18–25, recognising the particular challenges they may face when navigating welfare, housing, employment and other support systems.
• Support young people with benefit entitlement, financial independence, budgeting, housing concerns and access to education, training and employment.
• Develop positive working relationships with young adults, including those who may be reluctant to engage with traditional advice services.
• Work collaboratively with youth workers and other professionals to identify young people who would benefit from additional advice and practical support.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of accessible advice sessions and outreach activities aimed at younger residents.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following organisational procedures.

C. Employability and Financial Resilience

• Provide practical employability support, including CV preparation, job applications, interview preparation and job-search guidance.
• Help residents identify opportunities for education, training, volunteering and employment.
• Work with employment support providers and local organisations to establish effective referral pathways.
• Support residents to develop financial confidence, budgeting skills and greater independence.
• Help clients identify and overcome practical barriers to accessing employment and training opportunities.

D. Community Engagement and Partnership Working

• Deliver advice sessions from HMP's community facilities and designated outreach locations.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with local advice providers, statutory services, housing organisations, youth services and community groups.
• Participate in relevant partnership meetings and local advice networks.
• Promote HMP's advice services to residents and partner organisations.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop and improve advice provision.
• Work flexibly to meet community needs, including some early evening sessions until 7pm.

E. Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration

• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date case records in accordance with organisational procedures and data protection requirements.
• Record advice outcomes, including income gains, benefit awards, debt resolution, referrals and improvements in clients' circumstances.
• Provide monitoring information and contribute to reports required by funders.
• Assist with evaluating the effectiveness of advice services and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in supervision, training, team meetings and service development activities.
• Comply with HMP's safeguarding, equality, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety policies.

3. General Responsibilities

• Promote the aims, values and objectives of Hackney Marsh Partnership.
• Maintain professional standards and appropriate boundaries when working with service users.
• Treat all clients, colleagues and partner organisations with dignity and respect.
• Undertake relevant training and continuing professional development.
• Carry out other reasonable duties consistent with the responsibilities and level of the post.