Debt Advice & Income Management Officer

We’re passionate about supporting our community; come and join a team who put the customer at the centre of everything we do.

We know that the current cost of living pressures have had a huge impact on the financial position on our community. We are taking proactive steps to ensure the timely, responsible, lawful and appropriate collection of Housing Benefit Overpayments and rent arrears owing to the Authority.

In this role, you will ensure that customers are given appropriate advice and support to assist them to meet their priority debts and to provide debt advice to those experiencing hardship. The role holder will support residents with applications for discretionary support such as Discretionary Housing Payments, including financial assessments and supporting with applications for additional benefits or other income stream as part of a wholistic view of debt. You will be a point of contact for residents who may be facing very difficult financial circumstances and looking to you for practical help and support. You will also be responsible for collecting debts owed to the authority.

Because we're Bracknell Forest.

What it’s like working in our team…

You will be part of the Welfare Service, a small but high performing, busy department within the council where we put our customers at the centre of what we do. You will have daily contact with residents through all channels including face to face where this is best suited to their needs.

Directly working within our Debt Advice & Income Management Team and working alongside the Housing Benefit & Financial Hardship Teams, you will be part of a team focussed on the recovery of overpayments & rent arrears and supporting our customers in need, giving them Money & Debt Advice. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting change to a household in hardship, whilst maintaining essential services for the wider community.

You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…

• To be responsible for the collection of outstanding Housing Benefit Overpayments ensuring that the most effective method is used which ensures maximum collection in line with agreed targets.
• To be responsible for the collection of former tenant and current tenant rent arrears, including setting of arrangements, issuing statements, or recommending further steps such as court action in line with agreed targets.
• To support customers with applications for Local Welfare Provision such as Social Fund or Crisis Applications, Discretionary Housing Payments, or Discretionary Council Tax Hardship payments.
• To be responsible for the assessment and notification of decision to customers, of applications received for Local Welfare Provision or Discretionary Funds in line with agreed service standards and budgetary constraints.
• To undertake detailed financial assessments to ascertain affordability of arrangements for debt owed to the authority and applications for local welfare provision.

The benefits you will receive are…

• Professional subscription fees met by the Service (Money Advice service)
• An inclusive and social working environment
• Flexible working opportunities including a flexi-time scheme
• A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre (The Lexicon)
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership
• Supermarket discount
• An interest free loan for a rail season ticket

What we’re looking for…

We are looking for someone who has a passion for people and a drive to deliver a service focussed on supporting residents facing hardship. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate, negotiate and be persuasive, both verbally and in writing with a diverse range of people are an absolute must. If you are able to think of innovative or creative solutions for individuals and work as part of a holistic approach to financial hardship, we would love to hear from you.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 18th May 2023.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Yvonne Slater, Senior Debt and Money Adviser

Tel: 01344 351335

Yvonne.Slater@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

or

Sharon Warner, Head of Welfare

Tel: 01344 351346

As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Any candidates that are currently residing in the UK and wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria.

No agencies please.

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.