Debt Advice Officer

We are looking for someone with transferable skills to join our friendly Money Advice Team, the aim of the team is to help improve people's situations and prevent homelessness, full training will be provided.

The role involves supporting residents to increase their income often by identifying benefit entitlement, reducing outgoings, and exploring options to deal with their debts in a realistic time. The role also includes the assessment of applications for financial support.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You would be required to:

Provide general money advice, completing appointments and casework to prepare a financial statement.
Review income and outgoings to provide relevant advice and support.
Explore the clients debt options and give full advice for them to make an informed decision.
Provide benefit advice regarding entitlement, making applications, maintaining claims, and challenging decisions.
Assessment of Discretionary Housing Payments and Discretionary Council Tax Support Payment applications.
Make accurate records of advice given, actions taken and financial awards made.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About you

The following experience is required for this role:

GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics.
Experience in giving help and advice to the public in some form of advisory capacity in relation to regulations or legislation in Housing, or Benefits.
Experience of using computer based applications.
Record of working on own initiative, using own judgement to research and solve problems.
Good verbal and written communication skills and be able to communicate effectively at different levels.
Ability to manage own workload and to maintain a balanced workload, having regard for completing demands in an often highly pressurised environment., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted,
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax