Disabled Facilities Grant Support Officer

WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL; Abbots Worthy; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking an individual to contribute to its Disabled Facilities Grant service, assisting vulnerable residents in adapting their homes. Responsibilities include grant administration, client visits for application processes, and providing advice on funding and benefits. Candidates should have customer service experience and a good understanding of necessary regulations. A full UK driving license is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in the administration of Disabled Facilities Grants.
• Ability to work with vulnerable clients.
• Knowledge of the Housing Grants Act and DFG processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the operational delivery of Disabled Facilities Grant administration.
• Visit clients to complete formal applications and explain grant conditions.
• Liaise with applicants throughout the application process.

Skills

Customer service experience

Communication skills

Numeracy skills

Complaint handling

Education

GCSE in Maths and English

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

POST OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the delivery of the councils Disabled Facilities Grant service to ensure that residents can safely remain in their homes without the need to move, ensuring our most vulnerable residents are safeguarded.

The post holder will assist the Private Sector Housing Team with the day-to-day operational delivery of Disabled Facilities Grant administration for the provision of both mandatory and discretionary grants.

SPECIFIC TASKS:

Refer to Winchester City Council's DFG Policy to administer DFGs and other discretionary grants.
Acknowledge receipt of DFG referrals and recommendations from Occupational Therapists and record on the relevant systems.
Ensure all relevant information is provided in the Occupational Therapy referral.
Keep any relevant spreadsheets up to date and create records for each referral.
To visit clients in their homes to complete the formal application as well as other paperwork including proof of income and benefits, and to explain the grant conditions to the applicant., To support residents in applying for and securing charity funding towards the cost of adaptations to their homes.
To provide advice to residents on benefit maximization. This can include assistance with applications for attendance allowance or to ensure the applicants are on the correct benefits.
To provide advice on Energy Efficiency and the Warmer Homes Programme.
To carry out means testing to determine client contribution using the government approved FERRET software.
To liaise with applicants and other parties throughout the application process to ensure they are kept fully informed of progress.
Maintain accurate electronic records at all stages of the application process.
Provide data and information to the Senior Private Sector Housing Officer when required for the reporting of performance monitoring.
To provide assistance when required for any statistical reports needed for monitoring and freedom of information requests.
Undertake other duties as may reasonably be expected and required within the general scope of the role.

Equality

Winchester City Council bases its employment practices on the concept of equal opportunity. As an equal opportunity employer the Council opposes all forms of discrimination or unfair treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or June 2025 June 2025 age. No employee or job applicant will be disadvantaged by any condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Safeguarding

Winchester City Council has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation. No job description can be entirely comprehensive, and the post holder will be expected to carry out such duties as may be required that are broadly consistent with the job description and the status of the post within the organisation.

Previous experience of working in a customer focused environment.
Previous experience in the administration of Disabled Facilities Grants.
Previous experience of working with vulnerable clients and their varied needs.
Previous experience of working with different disabilities to ensure all clients have fair access to the service.
Educated to GCSE level in Maths and English.

Ability to communicate information well to a range of individuals often with complex needs.
Ability to deal with people at all levels, both internals and externally, using a variety of communication methods.
Ability to work under pressure to plan, prioritise and time manage competing demands to ensure targets are met.
Ability to handle complaints calmly and effectively and deal with difficult and confrontational customers.
Ability to be structured, logical and objective when approaching work.
Good numeracy skills and ability to carry out simple mathematical analysis.
Computer literate. Competent in Microsoft systems, Excel and spreadsheets.
Knowledge of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as well as DFG processes.
Knowledge of DWP administered benefits, and others.
Ability to communicate information well to a range of individuals often with complex needs.
Ability to deal with people at all levels, both internals and externally, using a variety of communication methods.
Ability to work under pressure to plan, prioritise and time manage competing demands to ensure targets are met.
Ability to handle complaints calmly and effectively and deal with difficult and confrontational customers.
Ability to be structured, logical and objective when approaching work.
Good numeracy skills and ability to carry out simple mathematical analysis.
Computer literate. Competent in Microsoft systems, Excel and spreadsheets.
Knowledge of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as well as DFG processes.
Knowledge of DWP administered benefits, and others.
Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Commitment to customer care and service users.
Full valid UK Driving Licence.