At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with the community, providing benefits advice and assessing financial support needs.
- Company: Hackney Council, a progressive local authority in London.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, diverse team, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to helping the community thrive.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your outreach skills.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of benefits regulations and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
12 Months Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity
Hackney is a progressive local authority in London. The Council’s Here To Help programme provides benefits advice and discretionary grant assessment to residents. This role is part of the Outreach Team, which works with community organisations to reach residents directly.
Responsibilities
- Attend community events at venues across the borough, offering benefits advice, assessing for immediate financial support and engaging residents in long‑term financial resilience.
- Handle incoming case work, including general assistance with benefits applications.
- Assess and award Crisis and Resilience Fund applications for urgent daily living costs and home goods.
- Facilitate time‑sensitive removals.
- Maintain case‑work systems with up‑to‑date case and decision information.
- Work directly with residents using a holistic, empathetic approach to understand their full range of needs.
- Understand benefits entitlement regulations and assist residents in applying for benefits.
- Attend outreach sessions at venues across the borough, including occasional evenings or weekends.
- Manage a high volume of applications, demonstrating strong time‑management skills.
- Navigate relevant systems such as Academy, Comino, Jigsaw, LIFT and the organisation’s Google‑based AppSheet.
- Operate independently and employ problem‑solving techniques when working with residents and on diverse cases.
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with residents and colleagues.
Qualifications
- Experience or strong knowledge of benefits entitlement regulations.
- Prior experience in case‑work or outreach settings is desirable.
- Ability to work independently, adapt to changing schedules, and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and social class. The Council welcomes applications from all, including disabled people, and encourages flexible working arrangements.
Outreach Officer -Benefits and Housing Needs Officer in London employer: London Borough of Hackney
Hackney Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to community engagement and social impact, employees in the Outreach Team benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in residents' lives across London. The Council fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that staff are equipped with the skills and resources needed to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Officer -Benefits and Housing Needs Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend community events and engage with local organisations. This is a great way to meet people in the field and learn about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for helping residents. When you’re chatting with potential employers or at outreach sessions, let them know why you care about benefits advice and supporting the community. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your case-work skills! Familiarise yourself with the systems mentioned in the job description, like Academy and Comino. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge of these tools will show you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and showcase your skills effectively. Let’s get you that Outreach Officer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Outreach Officer -Benefits and Housing Needs Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Outreach Officer. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since effective communication is key in this role, use your written application to demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly and empathetically. We love seeing candidates who can connect with residents through their writing!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got experience in case-work or outreach settings, make it shine! We’re looking for those who understand benefits entitlement regulations and can manage a high volume of applications efficiently.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep everything organised. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hackney
✨Know Your Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of benefits entitlement regulations. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the benefits system, as this will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Since the role involves working directly with residents, it's crucial to convey your empathetic approach. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported individuals in need, highlighting your ability to understand and address their full range of needs.
✨Demonstrate Strong Time Management Skills
The job requires managing a high volume of applications, so be ready to discuss how you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Systems
Get to know the systems mentioned in the job description, like Academy, Comino, and Jigsaw. If possible, try to find tutorials or resources online to understand how they work. This will show your proactive attitude and readiness to hit the ground running.
