Crisis and Fuel Poverty Advisor - Ipswich, United Kingdom - Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk)

Description

Disability Advice Service East Suffolk is a friendly local charity based in Martlesham Heath providing impartial, free advice and support to people with disabilities, their families and carers - and changing the lives of disabled people in crisis across East Suffolk and in nearby areas.

We are looking for a team member to provide holistic advice to people with disabilities and carers living in East Suffolk and nearby areas - and to their families and carers.

• To advise clients specifically in relation to
  Crisis and
  Energy Support (Fuel Poverty). Meeting client needs, targets and project deadlines will be of equal importance.
• To create and maintain high standards of case recording, providing information on the outcomes and details of advice, actions and closure.
• To assist clients in understanding benefit decisions and their implications.
• To negotiate with the Department for Work and Pensions, and other authorities related to welfare benefits, on clients' behalf.
• To advise clients on all aspects of 'energy support' in direct response to identification of fuel poverty: supporting clients with their energy and water needs.
• To develop networks and relationships with other professionals and organisations to promote our services and gain useful contacts and avenues of actions.
• To develop marketing and promotional material in relation to
  Crisis and
  Energy Support and organise its dissemination. Also, to liaise with staff appropriately in order to use social media for the same promotional benefits.

• To liaise with other advice workers and agencies in the county/wider area, establish and maintain contact with other organizations, and develop useful links for the benefit of all DAS stakeholders.
• To attend relevant local/countywide forums and meetings, representing DAS and reporting back, ensuring that the organization as a whole and the advice staff are kept wellinformed and up to date.

• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, policies and practices in relation to advice and welfare benefits (including identifying your own training needs where appropriate) and share such information with the whole team consistently and systematically.
• Participate in the work of the organisation as part of the team, being prepared to give and receive support from colleagues.
• Undertake to work within safe working procedures.
• Respond appropriately, within DAS guidelines and UK legislation on safeguarding.

• Oversee the casework of any volunteers working directly with you, in accordance with DAS policies and practices and to the requirements of the manager.
• Carry out all administration and clerical duties, including case recording on the appropriate database and paper files, ensuring all required records are kept up to date and accessible for all, in compliance with the Data Protection Act.
• Ensure all required records and statistical information are kept up to date and submitted on time for monthly reports, including relevant information for funders.
• Ensure that social policy issues affecting people locally and nationally, are actively informing organizational policy and practice.
• Contribute suggestions on improvements to DAS policies and procedures.
• Manage phone calls from clients, professionals and other stakeholders, making decisions and referring work, if appropriate, to colleagues.
• Manage referrals from outside agencies.
• Carry out other tasks, as reasonably required, in order to further the objectives of the service.

• To carry out the above within the spirit and practices of DAS equal opportunities policies and to conform to the standards of behaviour and professionalism as detailed in policy.

• Onsite parking

• Monday to Friday