The Haven Wolverhampton

THE HAVEN WOLVERHAMPTON

JOB DETAILS

1.Job Title:Benefits and Immigration Officer

2.Responsible to:Finance

3.Salary:£21,519

4.Place of Work:The Haven Wolverhampton

5.Hours of Work:37.5 hours per week, over a seven-day week period.

Overtime is not payable, but time off may be taken ‘in

lieu’.

6.Holidays:27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays

7.Length of Contract:This post is funded until 31stMarch 2014, with a possible

extension to funding.

Disclosure of Criminal Convictions: Enhanced Level

JOB PURPOSE

To provide immediate and on-going support to The Haven Wolverhampton’s Accommodation Service provisionfor women and children who are resident. As part of a team and 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.

DUTIES

1. Provision of information, assistance and guidance to all residents regarding their entitlement to Welfare and Housing related benefits.

1. To support women with no recourse to public funds, ensuring an efficient process is maintained when trying to achieve status.

1. Liaise with relevant agencies to ensure that any Benefit related issues are addressed.

1. Ensure appropriate take up of benefits, to maximise income for residents and The Haven.

1. To keep abreast of developments in legislation relating to Immigration, welfare and housing related benefits, including the universal credit system.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. To work closely with Finance and the Accommodation Services team in relation to The Havens ‘Arrears Management’ procedures.

1. Provision of weekly ‘drop in sessions’ to facilitate benefit or immigration related enquiries.
   
2. Promote good practice and abide by all The Haven Wolverhampton’s policies and procedures.
   

Financial Management

• To act in accordance with the organisations standing orders and financial regulations.
• To comply with The Haven Financial Procedure rules.

Staff Management

• To support colleagues in carrying out their duties as required.
• To participate in Staff Development, Appraisal and Training as required.
• To be familiar and comply with The Haven’s Personnel policies and procedures and office code of conduct and the Staff Handbook.
• To line manage Volunteers and Placements as required.

Other Duties

• To ensure equality of opportunity both in service provision and employment, having regard to the needs of the diverse communities we serve.
• To ensure compliance with The Haven’s Health & Safety policies and encourage best practice at all levels of management and staffing.
• To comply with legislation & The Haven’s policies including Data Protection, Computer Security, Human Rights, Management of Attendance and On Call Rota and Safeguarding Children.
• To undertake, following appropriate training, health & safety related duties such as First Aider, Fire Marshal, Duty holder, Health & Safety representative etc.
• To participate in exit and leaver process as required.

General

• The duties of the post may change and develop from time to time in the light of new legislation, The Haven Polices, organisational developments and social trends. Such developments will be monitored in conjunction with the Chief Executive and will be reflected as necessary in the aims and objectives of the post.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post subject to reasonable adjustments under DDA.
• To support hostel staff in ensuring the well-being of residents and their children working directly with our client group, including work within the hostels if required using the skills associated with your job.
• To participate in the appropriate On Call Rota

I AGREE TO THE ABOVE JOB DESCRIPTION

SIGNED: ______DATE: ______

PRINT NAME:______

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Essential Requirements:

Universal

1. Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and objectives of The Haven Wolverhampton in supporting women and any dependant children who are homeless through reasons such as domestic violence.
   
2. Demonstrate the ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, other professionals and service users.
   
3. Demonstrated ability to relate to a multi-cultural client group and an understanding of the issues and effects of Domestic Violence and/or homelessness among women and children.
   
4. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to implementing the principles of equality of opportunity, anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppressive practices and working within these principles.
   
5. Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to The Haven Wolverhampton including the confidentiality of women and children using the service.

1. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of Health and Safety issues related to this post.
   

Post-Specific Requirements:

1Must have previous experience of working in a Benefits & Immigration related role

2You will have relevant qualifications and training in this area, and, minimum NVQ level 3 ‘Advice & Guidance’ or equivalent.

3Extensive knowledge and understanding of benefits and the universal credit system to enable residents to maximise their income, through appropriate take up of benefits.

4Knowledge and experience of current legislation relevant to this role.

5Knowledge and experience of support available to women with no recourse to public funds and knowledge of the process applicable to ensureimmigration status.

6Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the statutory, voluntary and welfare services that this client group needs to access.

7Excellentcommunication skills including listening, questioning and assessing.

8Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.

9Ability to communicate effectively with External agencies, build links and maintain an appropriate data source of key information.

10Possess an organised approach to all tasks with administrative skills e.g. ability to write up support plans, letters, appeals and reports.

11Demonstrate the ability to contribute to and progress Individual support plans.

12Ability to collect and review performance management information, with a view to ensuring continuous improvement is achieved within this service.

13Demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately and effectively when faced with difficult situations.

Desirable Requirements

1Experience in supervising other staff and/or volunteers.

2Experience of working in a residential setting.

3The ability to speak one or more of the community languages of Wolverhampton.

4Experience of working with survivors of domestic violence and preferably possess a Level 3 qualification in Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence or equivalent

HR/BENEFITS & IMMIGRATION OFFICER REVIEWED 27/06/2013 PRINTED 04/22/2019