Money Adviser

To provide a responsive and needs-led frontline Money Advice and Support service to Portsmouth Homes residents and their households, who have significant and complex financial, benefit and Debt Needs, in order for them to be able to maintain their tenancies satisfactorily and to complement the support offered by generic Housing Officers.

The role includes keeping up to date with welfare reforms as they happen and sharing this with your colleagues. On a daily basis the Money Advisers support Housing Officers to maximise tenant's income, reduce debt, to enable residents to sustain their tenancies.

This is not a traditional Money Adviser role. Working within our Housing Offices you will not necessarily have responsibility for case holding or lead on money advice to tenants. Instead, you will work as part of the support team sharing your expertise in welfare benefits, debts and budgeting, developing the skills of others to deliver appropriate budgeting advice and assistance with maximising income. You will be required to take responsibility for case holding where there are complex circumstances, and where specialist support is required, for example PIP applications.


Skills:

1. You must be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of welfare benefits and local and national policies and legislation regarding Money Debt and Welfare Benefit advice. Preferably with experience of supporting and advocating for customers

2. You should have experience of supporting customers with budgeting advice and advising on priority and non-priority debts, you may hold a relevant qualification, though applications are welcomed from those willing to obtain qualification whilst in post.

3. Be approachable, supportive and non-judgemental, and able to foster positive working relationships with customers, colleagues and other professionals.

4. Be able to listen well and use effective questioning skills and professional curiosity to understand the root causes of customers problems

5. You should be competent at understanding complex information and relaying this to customers in clear and simple terms, with a focus on the best outcome for the customer.

6. You should have strong written and verbal communication skills to enable effective negotiation with creditors or other professionals where appropriate.

7. Have experience in developing others, supporting them to perform effectively in their role, with the confidence to reflect with them on the quality of their interactions.

8. Be self motivated with the ability to work without support, and with a willingness to keep your knowledge updated through your own research.

9. You should have an awareness of the wider social issues that affect our customers.

10. You should hold an awareness of departmental budget constraints and the need to minimise expenditure and ensure that appropriate support is proportionate and timebound.

11. Be able to utilise good negotiation and persuasive skills to ensure action plans are met and customers and their households are supported appropriately.

12. Be able to work closely with all teams within Portsmouth Homes to ensure tenants with the most complex needs are supported effectively for them to be able to maintain their tenancies.

13. You should understand and demonstrate the importance of working collaboratively with Housing Benefit Teams, Council Tax Departments , the Department for Works and Pensions and other Money advice organisations to ensure Money Advice is consistent and in the best interests of the customer.

14. Be competent with using Microsoft Software including Excel, Work and Outlook and be able to use IT systems to keep clear, accurate, concise and methodical records.

15. Be flexible as you may be required to work from Area Housing Offices, Community Bases and in customers homes. You may also be required to carry out visits outside of notmal working hours.

16. You should hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle