Care Leavers Benefits Advisor

Care Leavers Benefits Advisor

Salary: £36,138 - £38,607

Closing  date 12^th February 2023

About us

Children and young people under 25 are 37% of our population, and 100% of our future.   

The London Borough of Newham is committed to being an effective, caring and ambitious corporate parent. We believe that every member of staff working for Newham Council should understand and fulfil our corporate parenting responsibilities for our looked after children that we have under the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

We will continue to strive for the best for our children their families as we continue on the path to making Newham a centre of excellence for children’s social care. Ofsted has rated our Children’s Services as GOOD overall, with Leadership being rated as OUTSTANDING. Read Ofsted’s published report in full here.

Apply now, and be part of our success.

We are NEWHAM

We are RECRUITING

We are GOOD.

About the job – Care Leavers Benefits Advisor

The post holder will provide benefits advice including casework up to specialist level to support in delivering the Community Wealth Building strategy for Newham residents. This services focuses on Newham Care Leavers, support with financial management and ensuring value for money for the Council.

The post holder will lead in liaising with Social Work Teams, Leaving Care teams, supported accommodation providers & foster carers to track receipt of benefits to ensure the correct payments are being made for the placements, identifying issues or over/under payments and taking the appropriate action when needed.

The post holder will support young people (through direct work) in gaining the knowledge and skills to be able to manage their finances and develop their independent living skills.

About you

‘People at the heart of everything we do’

We are looking to hire a dedicated, experienced benefits advisor who is able to establish positive working relationships with a wide range of professionals, carers, private and voluntary agencies, and young people.

You have in-depth knowledge of benefits and tax credits, including claim procedures, casework experience and a demonstrable understanding of legislation relevant to benefits advice.

You have experience and an understanding of working within a diverse, urban community; and share our ambition and energy in embracing new ways of working. You have high working standards and are conscious of the importance in securing positive outcomes for children in care and care leavers.

You have an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs of vulnerable children and their families..

What you'll get in return

• Competitive Salary: £36,138 - £38,607
• The opportunity to work in a richly diverse, challenging, supportive inner London Borough.
• Flexible working arrangements: remote working, typically with one ‘anchor’ day per week
• Smarter Working with new modern technology
• 'Newham Together' - a positive, nurturing and collaborative work environment built on trust
• Excellent transport links to the rest of the capital
• Permanent and stable senior leadership with a consistent vision
• Wellbeing service, leisure and discount benefits (Council scheme)

Additional Information

Please view Care Leavers Benefit Advisor jd

Closing Date is   12/2/2023

Interviews will take place on 21/02/2023

To apply

If you're interested in this role, please provide a Supporting Statement outlining how you would be suitable for the role with due regard to the Personal Specification attached to the Job Description.  CV's submitted without a Supporting Statement will not be considered.

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.