Job Description

Enablement Support Officer

Location: Croydon - Hybrid working
Rate: 21.41 per hour PAYE / 28.40 per hour Umbrella

Hours: 27 hours per week - 5 days per week or 3 days x 9 hours

Duration: 12 months (Maternity Cover)

Start date: ASAP

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits, housing support, homelessness prevention or financial inclusion professional who is passionate about helping residents overcome challenges and achieve long-term independence.

Working Pattern

The role is 27 hours per week. We would ideally like someone to work across five days per week with shorter daily hours, however we can offer flexibility for the right candidate, including alternative arrangements such as three 9-hour days.

This is a hybrid role, with a minimum of two days per week office-based. Due to the nature of the service and onboarding requirements, there will be an expectation of increased office attendance during the initial training period.

About the Role

As an Enablement Support Officer, you will work directly with residents who are experiencing financial hardship, housing difficulties, debt, unemployment, welfare benefit issues or other challenges that place them at risk of homelessness.

You will take a holistic, person-centred approach, identifying barriers to independence and working with residents to develop practical, sustainable solutions.

The role involves assessing applications for discretionary financial assistance, supporting residents to maximise household income, improve budgeting skills, access employment opportunities and sustain suitable accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess residents' financial, housing and personal circumstances.
• Provide advice and guidance on:
• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Support
• Housing Payments and discretionary funding
• Develop personalised support plans and agree realistic outcomes with residents.
• Support residents with budgeting, debt management and improving financial resilience.
• Identify employment, training and housing options that promote long-term independence.
• Make decisions regarding discretionary financial assistance and other available funding streams.
• Conduct resident interviews, home visits and advocacy where required.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies including:
• DWP
• Jobcentre Plus
• Adult Social Care
• Health services
• Registered providers and landlords
• Voluntary and community organisations
• Signpost and refer residents to specialist support services.
• Maintain accurate case records and monitor progress through to successful case closure.
• Contribute to service improvements and best practice across the team.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential Experience

• Experience working in welfare benefits, welfare reform, housing support, homelessness prevention or a similar resident-focused service.
• Experience supporting vulnerable or distressed residents.
• Experience developing practical solutions that improve residents' circumstances and outcomes.
• Knowledge of poverty, debt and the barriers faced by individuals experiencing financial hardship.
• Experience maintaining accurate case records and managing a varied caseload.

Essential Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Universal Credit and welfare benefits.
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.
• Understanding of housing options, homelessness prevention and financial inclusion approaches.
• Awareness of the relationship between housing stability, employment, health and wellbeing.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policy and guidance and apply it in practice.

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with residents and partner agencies.
• Strong interviewing, assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• Good IT skills, including use of case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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