At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable communities with housing and benefits, ensuring efficient service delivery.
- Company: Public sector organisation dedicated to community welfare and support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or benefits services and strong communication skills.
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.
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Housing & Benefits Outreach Specialist employer: Spinwell Global
As a Housing & Benefits Outreach Specialist in Hackney, you will join a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality services to vulnerable and disadvantaged households. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through mentorship opportunities and collaboration with various stakeholders, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion, we offer a rewarding environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing & Benefits Outreach Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing and benefits sector on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching common questions related to housing assessments and benefits processing. Practise your answers with a friend or in front of the mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past work, especially those that highlight your experience with vulnerable clients or complex casework. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing & Benefits Outreach Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in housing and benefits. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; give examples of how you've used them in past roles. We want to see how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Outreach Officer position.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the info you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spinwell Global
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing benefits, council tax reduction, and homelessness prevention. Familiarise yourself with the relevant legislation and procedures, as you'll need to demonstrate your understanding during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in managing conflicting priorities and working under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully supported vulnerable customers and collaborated with various stakeholders.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since excellent verbal and written communication is key for this role, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present a scenario or case study, so being clear and concise will help you stand out.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of instances where you've identified cost-effective solutions or improved processes in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving and your ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
