Housing & Welfare Debt Officer

Join Walsall Council's Housing and Welfare Team as a Housing and Welfare Debt Officer and embark on an exciting opportunity to advise, support and empower the residents of Walsall to be able to become financially independent. You will equip them with valuable information, welfare benefits advice and guidance, propelling them towards positive outcomes. You will engage with vulnerable individuals, adapting provisions to meet their specific needs while adhering to required policies, procedures, and best practices both face and over the telephone. Work plans will incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and you will be accountable for workload management to achieve optimal performance. It is crucial to maintain an updated knowledge of relevant services, an active employer engagement strategy, and utilise tools that contribute to ongoing professional development. The successful candidate will be expected to work through Wiser Adviser training and complete the CMAP qualification through the IMA. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Engaging with potential customers and understanding their personal situation to determine their financial history and how they have arrived at their current situation
• Assessing and confirming the customers financial statement through the use of effective questioning techniques
• Explaining the full range of options available to the potential customer and provide fair and balanced views on all appropriate solutions that could assist the potential customer now or in the future, these include; Individual Voluntary Arrangement's, Bankruptcy, Debt Relief Orders and DMP's
• Obtaining necessary client documentation such as proof of income and creditor reference numbers as appropriate
• Updating internal systems to ensure advisor diaries and workflows are completed in the required timescales
• Carry out all duties in a manner that reflects our values at all times
• Undertake any further duties determined as reasonable and necessary in fulfilment of the role.
• Process applications for WCSS and respond to queries.
The position is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of local residents and contribute to the success of Walsall Councils Housing And Welfare Service.

This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development., Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages. Find out more about Living in Walsall. Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment