Cost of Living Support Advisors X 2 - Tyldesley, United Kingdom - Claremont Park Community Centre

Description

We know that times are still hard for a lot of our Claremont community.

Through our newly refurbished community centre opening early 2024 we want to ensure that people can access all the support available to help them with cost of living and associated issues.

We are looking to appoint two new Cost of Living Support Advisors for a period of 24 months.

You will be based in our busy centre and also support other community centres across Blackpool.

You will help people with a range of issues including providing support and advice on income and benefit maximisation, fuel poverty issues, advice on the dangers of carbon monoxide, and signposting to other local services.

You will have a good understanding of the support available for people struggling with the cost of living and other related issues.

We are looking for people that can work well under pressure, that can quickly problem solve, and that are used to dealing with challenging situations on a day to day basis.

Some home visits and working outside of normal office hours may be necessary.

The job holders will be employed by Claremont Park Community Centre which is a Community Interest Organisation, registered charity number:


Location:
Claremont Park Community Centre.

Interviews will take place on
Wednesday 8th April 2024.


Information for Applicants

Role Purpose:

To assist vulnerable and socially excluded residents to access support with the cost of living and associated issues.


Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To contact and support residents with cost of living issues via outreach work at Community Centres, home visits, events, by appointment, by telephone/online meetings or from referrals from other agencies.
• To provide accurate advice, information support and assistance on a range of issues associated with the cost of living including: Income maximisation. Managing debt and household budgeting. Digital inclusion and help to access the internet. Housing benefits. Registering vulnerable people on utility providers priority services registers. Support people facing fuel poverty issues by providing advice and resources to keep warm and energy efficiency measures. Completing informal assessments of need and distribution of vouchers and household essentials where appropriate. Provide education relating to the dangers of carbon monoxide and distribution of alarms where appropriate
• To maintain casework and statistical records in accordance with agreed policies and to provide written and oral reports as and when required.
• Produce management and statistical information, case studies, to evidence outcomes.
• To recognise when outward/onward referrals to partners and authorities would be appropriate and to follow up on such issues.
• Work in partnership with community organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that residents are aware of the support available.
• Provide presentations and training sessions about support available and energy saving measures to small groups of residents where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain case records and information systems.

Person Specification

Qualifications:

Level 2 (GCSE Grade A**-C or Grades 9-4) or equivalent qualification including functional skills in English and Maths.


Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of Safeguarding, Health and Safety including risk assessments and other legislative requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of legislation and guidance associated with the cost of living, deprivation and the Household Support Fund.
• Considerable understanding of the needs of vulnerable families, individuals, their carers and the communities in which they live.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how aspects of diversity affect service users.
• Knowledge of Claremont and/or similar communities.

Skills:

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to develop and sustain professional relationships
• Ability to make informal assessments of need
• Ability to manage and prioritise own caseload
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work in partnership individuals
• Good ICT skills

Experience:

• Considerable experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships and partnerships with other services and agencies.
• Experience in working with vulnerable individuals in an appropriate setting.

Additional Information

• Failing to declare conviction, caution or pending police action will lead to no appointment or dismissal;
• We reserve the right to approach any current or previous employer for a reference;
• We will ask about any disciplinary offences, including those that have expired;
• We will ask you why you left your last employment;
• Unsupervised access to children, or vulnerable adults, will not be permitted until all appropriate checks have been carried out.

Data Protection
All employees are under a legal o