At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable communities by providing housing advice and processing benefits.
- Company: Join a dynamic public sector team in Hackney.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or benefits services is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 55000 € per year.
Role: Outreach Officer REF 131925
Contract Length: Until 04/12/2026
Location: Hackney
IR35: Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary: £220 per day
Security Clearance: BPSS
Spinwell is recruiting for an Outreach Officer for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OUTREACH OFFICER
- To perform all functions within the Benefits and Housing Needs Service namely the processing of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Discretionary Housing Payments, welfare reform support including discretionary schemes, homelessness prevention and advice, homeless assessment, housing register applications, lettings of housing, housing supply and procurement, management and maintenance of temporary accommodation, financial monitoring and maintenance, payments, complaints, members and mayoral enquiries and FOI requests.
- To deliver an efficient, high quality and customer-focussed service for a diverse client group including high numbers of vulnerable and disadvantaged households.
- To mentor both new members of staff and staff from other areas in legislation, practice, procedures, performance of duties and guidance on complex case work.
- To protect the public purse and assets of the Council by identifying and preventing fraud and error in all duties.
- To apply the relevant legislation, procedures, caselaw, guidance, audit recommendations, to conduct rigorous, robust and accurate assessments.
- To identify holistic and cost effective solutions through casework and joint working with other services, stakeholders, partners and agencies.
- To assist with the development of initiatives to meet all aims of the service, including increasing supply of properties, contract management and monitoring, mobility and re-location, with pan-London and regional partners where necessary.
- To work co-operatively across the Benefits and Housing Needs Service to promote an effective, efficient and holistic service to residents in the borough.
- To offer support and advice to customers and signpost to partners.
- To conduct visits to customers and properties to fully carry out statutory and corporate duties, including residency checks and assisting vulnerable members of the community.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE OUTREACH OFFICER
- Extensive knowledge and substantial experience of at least one of the following disciplines: Homeless assessments and reviews; Homeless prevention and housing advice; Temporary Accommodation management, maintenance, income collection and financial monitoring and payments; Housing Supply and procurement; Lettings, Allocations and the Housing Register; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction schemes; Discretionary payments and Local Welfare Support; And the legislation, regulations, policy, guidance, and practice associated with these disciplines.
- Ability to manage conflicting priorities in a pressurised working environment that are subject to frequently changing circumstances in order to achieve targets within challenging timescales.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your workload to deliver to tight deadlines, targets and performance standards.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences including partner services and agencies and the ability to explain complex legislative in simple language.
- Ability to represent the Council at court.
- Experience of effective partnership working with agencies and stakeholders and the proven ability in engaging, negotiating and consulting with a wide range of audiences.
- Substantial experience and detailed knowledge of the use of IT systems, including data processing, finance and Microsoft systems.
- Ability to mentor staff in relation to all service delivery roles.
- Ability to travel around the borough in order to conduct visits to customers and landlords.
- Experience of working flexibly to meet the needs of the service and its customers.
- Experience of assisting vulnerable and challenging customers.
- Ability to mediate and negotiate effectively.
- Experience of dealing with and advising customers in a professional manner.
- Ability to adapt to new legislative, technological and financial developments whilst maintaining services outcomes in periods of change.
- Ability to analyse and understand complex information.
- Experience of building positive relationships with a range of both internal and external customers and stakeholders.
- Experience of cross-organisational working, taking into account the views of others and arriving at solutions of mutual benefit.
- Be available to work outside normal working hours including at weekends if required.
- Must demonstrate an understanding and be committed to the Council’s Equalities policy carrying out all duties with regard to the policy.
- Must demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the importance of confidentiality.
- Must demonstrate an ability to carry out research independently using electronic communication systems and other sources of relevant information.
- Ability to work on projects and contribute to shared outcomes.
- Officers involved with Benefits and discretionary awards processing will comply with the required security checks for the Department for Work and Pensions and Cabinet Office.
- Officers will be required to complete a declaration of interests’ submission for this post.
If you are an Outreach Officer, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Applying to this or any other vacancy advertised by Spinwell Ltd constitutes an agreement for Spinwell Ltd to hold your details for 24 months for the purpose of assessing suitability for the advertised position and to make you aware of any other positions deemed suitable of which You will make you aware by means of either email, text or phone. In line with GDPR regulations you are able to request your details be removed from the company data at any time by emailing us.
Outreach Officer - Council in Hackney employer: Spinwell Global
Spinwell is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and community impact. As an Outreach Officer in Hackney, you will benefit from a diverse and inclusive environment, with opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable residents. The role provides a chance to engage with various stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to housing and benefits services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Officer - Council in Hackney
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that highlight your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Outreach Officer - Council in Hackney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Outreach Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in housing, benefits, and customer service to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your organisational skills and ability to manage priorities. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've successfully handled similar responsibilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use simple language to explain complex ideas, just like you would when communicating with clients. We appreciate clarity!
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 ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spinwell Global
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the Outreach Officer role. Familiarise yourself with housing benefits, homelessness prevention, and the relevant legislation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in managing conflicting priorities and working under pressure. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring staff or engaging with vulnerable customers, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since excellent verbal and written communication is essential, practice explaining complex information in simple terms. You might even want to role-play common scenarios you could face in the job, like advising a customer on their housing options.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
The role involves working with various stakeholders, so be prepared to talk about your experience in partnership working. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, and how you can bring that to the team.
