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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers with financial assessments and handle enquiries with clear communication.
- Company: Join Luton Council, dedicated to eradicating poverty and serving the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial assessment or local authority roles is essential.
- Other info: This role requires a criminal record disclosure and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
The predicted salary is between 26409 - 28624 £ per year.
About The Job
Salary: £26,409 – £28,624 a year pro rata
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Fixed Term (6 months)
This position is available as a secondment opportunity for up to 6 months. If you are a permanent LBC employee, you must have written approval (an email will suffice) from your manager prior to applying and a copy will need to be submitted with your application. Please note: we will not be able to proceed with your application form without your manager’s permission.
In this role, you’ll be part of a busy financial assessment office where you’ll work with both computerised and manual systems to process applications and support customers. You’ll handle enquiries from parents, head teachers, colleagues and other professionals, whether face to face, over the phone or in writing. Clear, precise communication is a big part of this job, as is delivering excellent customer care and handling sensitive conversations with confidence and respect.
Your day-to-day work will include checking and assessing eligibility for Welfare Benefits, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Free School Meals, Early Years and Pupil Premium. You’ll follow clear procedures and regulations, using accurate data to make informed decisions and take the right actions. You’ll need to plan and prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and adapt to competing demands, all while maintaining high standards and attention to detail.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About You
You have experience working in a financial assessment office or a similar environment and may have spent time within a local authority revenues team. You’re comfortable using a range of computer systems and you know how to keep organised records and handle information with care.
You’re a clear communicator who can explain things simply and sensitively, whether you’re talking to customers, colleagues, head teachers or parents. You can negotiate, solve problems and make people feel listened to. You understand how important it is to apply equality principles in your work, making sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
Planning and prioritising come naturally to you. You can juggle deadlines and keep calm under pressure, following detailed procedures and guidelines to make the right decisions every time. You work well on your own but you’re also a great team player, ready to step in wherever you’re needed.
This is a public facing role so you’ll need to show off your fluency in speaking and writing English
About Us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough
Application Process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
How To Apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our ‘How to apply\’ page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply #J-18808-Ljbffr
Educational Benefits Support Officer employer: Luton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Luton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Educational Benefits Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific welfare benefits and financial assessment processes mentioned in the job description. Understanding these areas will help you engage confidently during interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills, especially in explaining complex information simply and sensitively. You might want to role-play scenarios where you handle enquiries from parents or colleagues to showcase your customer care abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your organisational skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed competing demands in previous roles. This will show that you can prioritise effectively, which is crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Luton 2040 Vision and align your personal values with the council's mission. Being able to articulate how your goals match their vision will make a strong impression during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Educational Benefits Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your relevant experience in financial assessment and customer service in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the role of Educational Benefits Support Officer. Emphasise your communication skills, ability to handle sensitive information, and experience in a similar environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the organisation. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements and can contribute to the team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Luton Borough Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with the requirements, especially in financial assessment and customer service.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
Since clear communication is crucial for this role, practice explaining complex information simply and sensitively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled enquiries or sensitive conversations in the past.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've had to negotiate or solve problems. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and how you prioritise tasks to meet deadlines.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Independence
This role requires both teamwork and the ability to work independently. Prepare to share examples of how you've contributed to a team while also managing your own workload effectively.
