At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents in managing rent and overcoming financial challenges to sustain their tenancies.
- Company: Join a caring Council dedicated to supporting diverse communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your skills in public sector housing.
- Qualifications: Experience in income recovery and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28796 - 35196 £ per year.
Help residents manage their rent, overcome financial challenges and keep essential housing services moving forward. As an Income Officer, you'll support residents to resolve financial challenges, sustain their tenancies and recover the income that powers essential services across our borough.
Working Style: You'll be based in the Borough for three days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you're working in the office, remotely or out meeting residents in the field, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.
What you'll be doing: Your focus will be taking ownership of a caseload of rent accounts, collecting accommodation charges and taking proactive action to manage arrears. Your day will involve regular contact with residents by letter, telephone and home visits, taking time to understand the root causes of non-payment, agreeing practical payment arrangements and guiding people to access welfare benefits or financial support so they can sustain their homes. Alongside day-to-day account management, you'll manage complex cases in close partnership with our Legal, Benefits and Housing Needs teams. Where necessary, you'll issue notices, prepare possession cases, attend court and oversee eviction proceedings with care and professionalism. You'll also contribute directly to service initiatives aimed at improving income collection and refining processes following a recent cyber incident, ensuring high standards of customer care, clear record-keeping and compliance with Council policies.
What you'll bring: You'll bring experience in income recovery, rent arrears management or Housing Benefit recovery. You have a practical understanding of public sector housing issues, homelessness agendas and welfare reform. You're an excellent communicator who can balance empathy with firmness when handling difficult financial conversations. You bring strong negotiation and record-keeping skills, with the confidence to manage a demanding workload independently, write clear reports and use finance and IT systems accurately. Most importantly, you're someone who demonstrates our core values in every interaction - Putting Communities First, Respect, Integrity and Working Together - and who brings a calm, supportive approach to helping residents sustain their tenancies.
Why join us: At RBKC, we're all in - investing in our people, our communities and our future. You'll join a friendly, collaborative and supportive team where colleagues look out for one another to achieve the best outcomes for residents. This role offers a rewarding balance between income recovery and tenancy sustainment, giving you full ownership of your caseload while contributing directly to service improvements. We will invest in your development, offering opportunities to broaden your expertise across public sector housing, legal processes and welfare benefits. You'll also receive a competitive salary alongside the support of a dedicated team that takes pride in delivering quality services for our community.
About us: Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all. In this role, you'll bring a real sense of care and commitment to supporting residents while safeguarding Council income. Navigating complex cases and helping our team reduce arrears following a recent cyber incident isn't always smooth sailing, but your efforts will play a vital part in keeping essential housing services running and making a positive impact on our community every day.
Interview Details and role requirements: Interviews will be held week commencing 7th September at Kensington Town Hall. This role will require a standard DBS. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will start at the minimum of the advertised salary range. Employees receive annual salary increases until they reach the top of the pay scale. In addition, employees will receive any agreed cost of living pay rises. We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.
Income Officer - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council is an outstanding employer that prioritises community engagement and employee development. With a strong commitment to innovation and collaboration, staff are empowered to make a real difference in residents' lives while enjoying a supportive work culture that values trust and visibility in leadership. This role offers unique opportunities for professional growth within a vibrant borough, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and impactful employment.
Contact Details:
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Officer - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
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Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
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Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Income Officer - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Income Officer - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract role at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.