Members only

Salary: £27,852 – £32,020

Job Reference: mkc/TP/230/957

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Hours: 18.5

Closing Date: 16 July, 2023

Job Introduction

We’re seeking a Welfare Officer to support our tenants through the cost-of-living crisis.

This rewarding role will provide accessible advice and assistance to tenants on a range of housing issues including welfare benefits, budgeting, and income. A key focus will be to help tenants receive their full income entitlement so that their rent can be paid and their tenancy remains secure.

You’ll identify which tenants need extra support with this, and with issues such as hoarding, moving home, and finding new homes. This will include co-ordinating assistance for vulnerable tenants who have complex needs and issues such as mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, or criminality.

We offer flexible working arrangements including homeworking. For further enquiries or an informal chat please contact Paulette Ross on 01908 252886.

Main Responsibility

1. • Provide welfare benefits and diagnostic advice to residents to maximise household income, undertaking welfare benefits assessments for tenants referred into the service to help them manage the financial aspects of their tenancy and pay their rent.
   • Work collaboratively with Income and Neighbourhood Officers in helping to reduce rent arrears and sustain tenancies, this will also include both internal and external stakeholders e.g., customers, staff, directors, councillors.
   • Complete comprehensive financial assessments and enabling tenants with advice, support or benefits applications to meet their tenancy obligations, such as applying for Discretionary Housing Benefit (DHP).
   • Work collaboratively with a variety of support agencies to encourage referrals and ensure individuals have access to timely advice, information, and practical support.
   • Develop and maintain welfare benefit advice service to residents through a variety of methods including home visits, carry out welfare benefits take up campaigns and provide welfare benefit training to staff when required.
   • Have a good understanding of rent collection procedures and legislation with the ability to support and advise customers and stakeholders.
   • Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement by accessing development opportunities, keeping up to date with changes to benefit and contribution policies and legislation by reading relevant publications and attending training sessions.

Ideal Candidate

1. • Significant level of knowledge of benefit law and legislation, housing law, practice and current issues. This will require an understanding of various welfare benefits, keeping apprised of changes in the benefit system and having the ability to advise others accordingly.
   • Ability to write correspondence and formal communications on complex subjects that are concise and legible to a wide and varied audience.
   • The ability to work on own initiative, manage and organise own work, whilst having the ability to actively identify and problem solve.
   • Experience working with both internal and external stakeholders e.g., customers, staff, directors, councillors, Registered landlords and contractors.
   • Role holder must have a valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Package Description

​We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-

1. • Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
   • 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
   • Holiday Purchase Scheme.
   • Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
   • Cycle to Work Scheme.
   • Health Cashplan.
   • MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
   • Blue Light Card – Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
   • SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
   • Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
   • Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
   • A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
   • Childcare Subsidy.

About the Company

Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.

Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services – around 240 services in all.

Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.