Welfare Fund Assessment Officer, Pullar House, Perth

Job Description

Welfare Fund Assessment Officer (Fixed Term until 31 March 2025) - PKC11270
£28,249 - £30,351
Pullar House, Perth

You will assist with the administration of the Scottish Welfare Fund (and other relevant funds/support) and make decisions on Crisis Grant, Community Care Grant and Discretionary Housing Payment applications.  You will also offer advice and signposting to vulnerable individuals in need.

Requirements

There is an expectation that short listed candidates will meet all the requirements stated below.

Knowledge & Experience 

•    You must have experience of working in a busy office environment.
•    You must have general administrative skills.
•    You must be computer literate and have good keyboard skills.
•    You must have good standard of general education.
•    You must have an ability to understand and follow basic guidance.
•    Ideally you will have at least one year’s working experience within a benefits or welfare rights environment. 
•    Ideally you will have a knowledge of Local Government practices, procedures and departmental functions.
•    You must have an awareness of the qualifying criteria for state benefits and tax credits.
•    You must have experience of working with vulnerable people.

Customer Care

•    You must have the ability to deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner.
•    You must have effective customer care skills.

Health & Safety

•    You have a personal responsibility for taking care of yourself and others and must comply with all relevant Health and Safety legislation.
•    You must undertake any H&S training relevant to the post.

Equality & Dignity at Work

•    You must have the ability to treat colleagues and customers with dignity and respect as per the Employee Charter.

Communications

•    You must be able to cultivate good working relationships with relevant teams

Flexibility

•    You must have good organisational skills.

Achievement of Results 

•    You must be able to prioritise your own workload.

Team Working

•    You must be resourceful and adaptable with the ability to work as part of a team.

Decision Making & Problem Solving

•    You must have the ability to work on your own initiative.

Any Additional Requirements 

•    You must be able to meet the demands of the post and attend on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Main Accountabilities

•    Receiving grant applications and ensuring their accurate completion. This involves liaising with relevant agencies to acquire appropriate information, and assisting members of the public with the satisfactory completion of the application.

•    Ensuring that proof of all information is provided by the applicant ie income, other benefits, residence, savings etc.

•    Interviewing applicants as required.

•    Explaining the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments guidance to applicants and other stakeholders on a regular basis.

•    Recording all details of applications in an electronic system. 

•    Dealing with telephone, email and face-to-face queries and correspondence from applicants and agents and referring specific problems to the Senior Welfare Fund Officer.

•    Providing comprehensive welfare benefits advice to applicants with a view to income maximisation as well as providing signposting and advice in terms of other suitable alternatives to Grants.

•    Having an awareness of Adult Support & Protection and Child Protection issues and procedures.

•    Responding to a number of wide ranging matters in relation to the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments, including explaining guidance on both and informing applicants of their entitlements, assisting with completion of forms and verifying documentation. 

•    To be aware of, and act upon the risk of any abuse (including financial).

•    Dealing with Councillor's enquiries.

•    Liaising with a number of outside agencies.

•    Composing letters and reports.

•    Liaising with suppliers to ensure effective fulfilment of Grant awards. 

•    Liaising with Social Work Teams and offering dedicated support/advice to frontline staff in relation to the Scottish Welfare Fund, Discretionary Housing Payments, Welfare Benefits, Money Advice and other available sources of help.

•    Assisting with the design, development and delivery of training programmes for staff, volunteers and voluntary organisations.

The Individual

If you would like any more information regarding this vacancy, please contact Nicola Sutherland, Team Leader - Welfare Rights & Welfare Fund on 01738 476905 or at NSutherland@pkc.gov.uk

When completing your application for this post, please ensure that you provide contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees.  One should be your current or most recent employer.

Please APPLY ONLINE.  Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross.  If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of mandatory checks including eligibility to work in the UK, Disclosure Scotland or PVG, qualifications, references, and fitness to undertake the post.  This may also include an Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have spent time living overseas.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance.  You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender. 

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists.  Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer.  In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.  Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland  Jobs, careers and employment.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.