At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with the community to support residents facing financial hardship and navigate benefits.
- Company: Join Connect2Hackney, a vibrant team dedicated to making a difference in Hackney.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of changing lives and building trust within the community.
- Qualifications: Empathy, willingness to learn about welfare benefits, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Connect2Hackney, we are the internal talent team dedicated to finding exceptional people who want to shape the future of one of London's most vibrant, progressive, and diverse boroughs. We are seeking five compassionate, driven, and proactive Outreach Workers to join our frontline team. If you are passionate about fighting financial hardship, breaking down stigma, and building trust directly within the community, this is the perfect role for you.
The Role
In this impactful role, you will be delivering a blend of data‑led outbound campaigns and weekly community‑based outreach. You will meet residents in spaces where they already feel comfortable, helping them maximize their incomes as early as possible. Whether you are helping someone navigate complex benefit applications or arranging urgent crisis support for a family moving into an unfurnished home, your work will directly prevent financial crisis and change lives. You will work holistically and empathetically to support approximately 10‑15 residents per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Proactive Outbound Campaigns: Utilize council data to identify residents who are struggling or underclaiming benefits, making direct contact to build trust and guide them through applications.
- Community Outreach: Run weekly in‑person outreach sessions at various community locations across the borough, recording case information accurately in the Money Hub system.
- Income Maximization: Conduct comprehensive benefit checks to identify underclaiming. Help residents understand eligibility and apply for core support including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Pension Credit, and State Retirement Pension.
- Holistic Support: Assist residents with energy, fuel, and water needs (e.g., Thames Water schemes, social tariffs), and help secure essential extras like Free School Meals, Blue Badges, and Healthy Start Vouchers.
- Crises Assistance & Debt Navigation: Review urgent crisis requests to award Home Goods, travel, or removal costs. Help residents in debt by requesting payment arrangements for rent and Council Tax arrears and making effective referrals to expert debt advice agencies.
- Internal Team Collaboration: Seamlessly hand over complex disability benefits cases (like PIP or DLA) or discretionary housing/tax reduction cases to specialized Money Hub colleagues.
- Compassionate Communication: Write clear, empathetic decision letters tailored to each resident's unique situation.
Who We Are Looking For
You don't need to be an expert in every piece of legislation from day one, but you must be eager to learn and deeply committed to supporting vulnerable residents. We are looking for candidates who are:
- Empathetic & Person‑Centred: Extremely comfortable working face‑to‑face with residents, utilizing a strength‑based approach to overcome mistrust or stigma surrounding welfare benefits.
- Knowledgeable (or Eager to Learn): Possess a baseline understanding of welfare benefits or show a strong willingness to learn the eligibility frameworks quickly.
- System Confident: Able to navigate (or learn to navigate) relevant data systems such as Academy, Comino, Jigsaw, and LIFT.
- Problem Solvers: Flexible, resilient, and collaborative when working with community partners and handling diverse, unique cases.
Working Pattern
This is a hybrid and community‑facing role. You will be expected to work from the main office at least one day a week, and work in person across the borough at outreach events, training, and team meetings as required.
Community Outreach Officer. Job in Hackney LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
At Connect2Hackney, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in one of London's most vibrant boroughs. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering employees the chance to develop their skills while directly improving the lives of residents. With a strong commitment to community engagement and a focus on empathy, we provide a unique opportunity for passionate individuals to thrive in a role that truly makes a difference.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Outreach Officer. Job in Hackney LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the community! Before your interview, spend some time in Hackney. Familiarise yourself with local issues and the people you’ll be helping. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect better during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your empathetic communication skills. Role-play common scenarios you might face as a Community Outreach Officer. This will help you articulate your approach to supporting residents effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past where you’ve tackled challenges head-on. Be ready to share these stories to demonstrate how you can handle diverse cases in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Connect2Hackney!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Outreach Officer. Job in Hackney LilyLifestyle Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for community outreach shine through. We want to see how much you care about helping others and making a difference in their lives.
Be Person-Centred:Make sure to highlight your empathetic approach in your application. Share examples of how you've worked with individuals in challenging situations, as this will resonate with us and the role you're applying for.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. We love seeing candidates who take this extra step.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research Hackney and its community needs. Understanding the local issues and demographics will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported individuals in challenging situations. Highlight your compassionate approach and how you’ve built trust with vulnerable residents, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Benefits
While you don’t need to be an expert, having a basic understanding of welfare benefits like Universal Credit and Housing Benefit will impress the interviewers. Brush up on key terms and eligibility criteria to show your eagerness to learn.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team’s approach to outreach. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and goals.
