Budget Support and Social Inclusion Officer

Do you have a passion for providing high quality services? We are looking for an enthusiastic, customer service focused colleague to join our team delivering money, benefit and debt advice to residents of North Northamptonshire. The role will be based initially at our Kettering offices and will involve assisting the most vulnerable customers across the North, it will also help deliver Discretionary Housing Payments for the North and Local Council Tax Support (S13A) awards across the North. Candidates should have excellent communication and customer service skills and a knowledge of benefits or debt advice; however full training will be given as required. Whilst the substantive role is full time, part time hours will be considered, subject to the agreement of management. If you wish part time hours to be considered, please outline what hours you are considering in your letter of intent., You will be determining the eligibility of claims for Discretionary Housing Benefits and Local Council Tax Support (S13A ) Claims in accordance with legislation and Council Policy, ensuring any necessary documentary evidence is requested and verified. You'll provide advice to the public and deal with enquires via the phone, email and personal interviews You will use our systems to maintain accurate and up to date records of all claims and decisions. You will also advice customers on the take up of all Department of Works benefits and offer advice on various grants and schemes.

You will have G.C.S.E English and Maths grade 4 or above with demonstrable experience and up to date knowledge of Universal Credit, DWP benefits, Housing and Council Tax Benefits and have a knowledge and experience of Debt and Money advice. Your excellent communication skills and an eye for detail will be essential. You will be able to use Microsoft packages and other bespoke systems. You will have excellent attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate calculations and assessments.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups., Our Values and Behaviours Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer-focused Respectful Efficient Supportive Trustworthy Our Key Commitments Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most. We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. North Northamptonshire Council re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2024 which highlights the Council's pledge to support the Armed Forces community. The council obtained the silver status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and we are now currently working towards achieving Gold status. We aim to be a carbon neutral Council by 2030.

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we're transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You'll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising that you think! Why choose us? We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.