JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: / Benefits and Immigration Officer
Date: / September 2014
Department: / Finance
Line Manager: /
Finance Officer
Grade/Pay Scale / £21,519 pa
Location: /
The Haven Wolverhampton
Status: / Full Time, Fixed Term until March 2015 with a
possible extension to funding

Job Purpose

To provide immediate and on-going support to The Haven Wolverhampton’s Accommodation Service provision for women and children who are resident. As part of a team working directly with residents, the post holder will provide direct support through the benefit application and any appeal processes, and co-ordinate overall applications for housing and welfare benefits, exploring areas of concern within The Haven and with external agencies. To ensure maximum income achievable and appropriate take up of benefits is essential.
To support women with no recourse to public funds ensuring an efficient process is maintained when trying to secure immigration status.
To support The Haven Wolverhampton staff and volunteer team to improve their knowledge regarding the Benefits System overall, ensuring distribution of relevant information and informing of legislative changes. To contribute to data collection, monitoring of targets, service outcomes and evaluate progress.

Scope of Job – main tasks, duties and responsibilities

·  Provision of information, assistance and guidance to all residents regarding their entitlement to Welfare and Housing related benefits.
·  To support women with no recourse to public funds, ensuring an efficient process is maintained when trying to achieve status.
·  Liaise with relevant agencies to ensure that any Benefit related issues are addressed.
·  Ensure appropriate take up of benefits, to maximise income for residents and The Haven.
·  To keep abreast of developments in legislation relating to Immigration, welfare and housing related benefits, including the universal credit system.
·  Prepare and deliver presentations and information sessions to Haven staff and residents regarding changes to benefits and legislation, and ensuring relevant and up to date information is distributed on a regular basis.
·  Ensure that the aims of the service are supported by following all administrative and finance procedures in place. These responsibilities include:
·  Support and contribute to performance management processes and systems, data collection, monitor targets and outcomes, and evaluate progress.
·  Contribute to the production of statistics
·  Promote good practice and abide by all The Haven Wolverhampton’s policies and procedures.
·  Maintain a systematic and planned approach to each resident’s progression through the use of Individual Support Plans. These responsibilities will include:
·  Contributing to the assessment of needs together with the resident and colleagues.
·  Working within an effective multi-agency/disciplinary approach for the support of residents.
·  Ensuring that support, advice and guidance offered to residents is of the highest standard.
·  Keeping information relevant up to date and in line with changing legislation.
·  Imparting life skills such as budgeting and debt management.
·  To work closely with Finance and the Accommodation Services team in relation to The Havens ‘Arrears Management’ procedures.
·  Provision of weekly ‘drop in sessions’ to facilitate benefit or immigration related enquiries.
·  Promote good practice and abide by all The Haven Wolverhampton’s policies and procedures.

General duties and responsibilities

·  To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as maybe reasonably required, and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
·  To have personal responsibility for maintaining personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and the Charity, by undertaking appropriate training and development activities. This includes encouraging and supporting staff and managers in their training and development.
·  To undertake any health and safety activities required for the post and as required by The Haven Wolverhampton to ensure their Health & Safety Policy is implemented effectively.

Special Conditions (if applicable e.g. unsociable hours, extensive travel etc.)

•  Able to work unsociable hours on occasions if required to undertake internal Haven related activities or external continued professional development activities.

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Signed (Jobholder)
Print Name / Date:
Signed Line Manager / Date:

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