Benefits and Housing needs Assistant.

Remedy Recruitment are working with the local authority within London and are currently seeking an experienced Benefits and Housing needs Assistant.

**Salary- Negotiable**

**FULL TIME**

**START- ASAP**

Main duties and responsibilities-

• Be responsible for the Employee Change Form system and requirements for the service and ensure that all renewals are actioned promptly.
• Assist with the recruitment of temporary and permanent staff across Benefits and Housing Needs division.
• Take notes and minutes for meetings and where necessary prepare, copy and circulate papers.
• Support special projects and by providing support in order to enhance service delivery.
• Collate and issue performance and service standards, audit recommendations, business continuity and Service Plans.
• Coordinate staff scheduling for all training and briefing events and ensure that attendance is recorded and updated and evaluation is collated and reported back.
• Collate and monitor staff appraisals, supervision and personal development plans.
• To deal with casework and information sensitively and to observe the need for confidentiality at all times.
• Act as a point of contact for telephone callers and take messages and refer complex issues to the appropriate officer.
• To contribute towards the development and achievement of the annual business and service plans as well as policies and procedures to ensure that the service is effective, efficient and of a high standard.
• To compile and maintain accurate, consistent and up-to date records for individuals and teams incorporating analysis of performance and to ensure that performance management information is available as and when required for performance or auditing purposes.
• Ensure that the highest standards of customer care and communication practices are adhered to when carrying out the functions of this post.
• To prepare documentation for internal audit, DWP review team, and other inspections as required.
• To archive all manual and IT based filing systems in line with data retention policies.
• Take the responsibility for managing own workload and seek support or guidance for any obstacles that may impact on the provision of the day to day function.
• Maintain accurate, consistent and up-to-date records which are to be available to managers as and when required for performance or auditing purposes.
• Provide cover for colleagues and/or managers as required.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the post as directed by the service manager.

Person Specification

The sucessful candidate will require the following-

• Numerate and literate.
• Excellent working knowledge of the full range of welfare provision, benefits and localised schemes that are applicable to customers and to work with them to identify the benefits and welfare support they are entitled to.
• Ability to select and deliver an interim discretionary award or item from a range of options to satisfy urgent identified need within a budgetary framework.
• To ensure value for money by comparing and negotiating most affordable solution available at the time.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability work as part of a team as well as on own initiative, including prioritising of own workload to meet required deadlines.
• Good communication skills including oral, written and presentation skills.
• Experience of using a wide range of IT software and adapt to changing IT requirements, particularly MS systems.
• Awareness of confidentiality issues and understanding of the Data Protection Act and its significance within the role .
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities in a pressurised working environment that are subject to frequently changing circumstances in order to achieve targets within challenging timescales.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to adapt to new legislative, technological and financial developments whilst maintaining and developing services in periods of change.
• Provide support for events and meetings by booking and sourcing best prices for venues.
• Experience of building positive relationships with a range of both internal and external customers and stakeholders and sign posting and referring as necessary.
• Be available to work outside normal working hours including at weekends if required.
• Must demonstrate an understanding and be committed to the Council's Equality's policy carrying out all duties with regard to the policy.

For more information call Bronte at Remedy on 0208 418 7677.