At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with rent management and financial advice to sustain tenancies.
- Company: Join Tai Calon, the largest provider of affordable homes in Blaenau Gwent.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexi time, 33 days leave, and a range of perks.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team in a Great Place to Work certified environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 qualification and experience in housing or financial environments required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
About Us: Tai Calon was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit housing association, with almost 6,000 homes we are the largest provider of affordable homes in Blaenau Gwent. Our focus is to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction in all aspects of the service that we offer. Part of that is to ensure our customers’ homes meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standards, and that is why since 2010 we have invested over £130 million in their homes. We are proud to announce that we recently achieved our Great Place to Work certification, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring Tai Calon fosters a culture of trust, fairness, respect and camaraderie, making it a place colleagues truly want to work.
About You: To be successful as a Rent & Support Advisor, the ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent written & verbal communication skills, be well organised with attention to detail for effective work planning, prioritising, multi-tasking, and meeting deadlines. They should have the ability to prioritise and cope with pressure, interpret policies and procedures, possess good IT skills, be tenant & customer focused with a ‘can do’ attitude, demonstrate integrity and support for organisation values – CALON, and be committed to ongoing personal development.
Your Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications: You will also need to have the following knowledge, experience and qualifications:
- Educated to level 2 national qualification framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Knowledge of up to date legislation.
- Knowledge of Housing Benefit or Welfare reform.
- Knowledge of law relating to income recovery.
- Experience within a similar role and responsibilities.
- Experience using Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Experience using Northgate or a similar management system.
- Experience working in a financial environment, arrears recovery, housing benefits, money advice.
- Experience dealing with tenants and the public within the RSL sector.
What you’ll be doing: To deliver a comprehensive customer-focused income and advice service, including support, proactive engagement and enforcement to help residents sustain their tenancies. Collect and maximise income in line with Tai Calon’s policy, ensuring guaranteed income to the business enabling delivery of the business plan. To be responsible for a complete income recovery service, which includes current rent arrears, former tenant arrears, court costs and service charges, minimising debt.
As a Rent & Support Advisor, you’ll take ownership in:
- Providing a holistic and robust pre-tenancy service.
- Risk assessing and using discretion to identify if the tenancy is affordable and sustainable.
- Delivering a comprehensive rent management service, with complete responsibility for all elements of rent arrears management, from first contact through to pre and post court action including compiling cases for court together with extensive evidence.
- Recovering other charges, such as service charges, court costs, former tenant arrears, in line with Tai Calon’s Policy and Procedures and Legislation.
- Using your initiative, organising and managing your own caseload.
- Working intensively and collaboratively with tenants providing support and advice on rent payments, financial and benefit advice with strong emphasis toward financial inclusion and maximising income.
- Negotiating affordable payment plans and promoting the most effective payment methods taking into account the individual circumstances.
- Identifying and supporting residents at risk especially in relation to welfare reform and support with Universal Credit claims.
- Influencing the tenant to take necessary steps and actions to resolve issues.
- Positively challenging tenants when agreed actions are not being met.
- Liaising with external bodies such as the Local Authority and DWP, challenging decisions and resolving problems.
- Contributing to the review and implementation of income recovery procedures having regard to best practice.
- Contributing to system development and projects.
- Ensuring performance targets and measures are achieved and maintained.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: As a Rent & Support Advisor, you will work 37 hours per week. Your working pattern will be Monday to Friday (9:00 am to 5:00 pm), however, you'll be eligible for our Flexi Time scheme.
Where You'll Be Working: This role offers Hybrid Working, where you’ll be able to work from home. For the days that you're in the office, we've got a bright, open and modern space for you to catch up with colleagues and work from.
Benefits: Flexi Time, Hybrid Working, Free on-site parking, 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays), Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, Occupational Sick Pay, Training and Development opportunities, a comprehensive range of company benefits, including a Cycle to Work scheme and access to HOP (Home of Perks) with a whole array of shopping discounts and cashback, and a free, confidential, 24/7 employee assistance programme (with access to flexible counselling).
Disability Confident Employer: We are a disability confident committed employer, and if you require any adjustments or support to be considered for this role, email our team at hradmin@taicalon.org or contact us on 0300 303 1717.
More Information: If you'd like more information about this role, why not reach out to one of the team using the details below. Email: hradmin@taicalon.org Telephone: 0300 303 1717.
Rent and Support Advisor employer: Tai Calon Community Housing Limited
Tai Calon is an exceptional employer, recognised for its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a focus on employee development and well-being, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a range of benefits that enhance work-life balance. Our recent Great Place to Work certification reflects our dedication to creating a culture of trust and respect, making us a desirable choice for those seeking meaningful employment in the heart of Blaenau Gwent.
Contact Details:
Tai Calon Community Housing Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rent and Support Advisor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Tai Calon Community Housing Limited.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Tai Calon Community Housing Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Tai Calon Community Housing Limited, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Tai Calon Community Housing Limited or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Rent and Support Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Tai Calon Community Housing Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tai Calon Community Housing Limited! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tai Calon Community Housing Limited
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
