Financial Inclusion Specialist

Southdown; England; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health support organization in East Sussex seeks a Financial Inclusion Specialist. You will provide essential one-to-one support, helping clients facing mental health challenges navigate the benefits system and improve their financial stability. The role includes assessing new clients, running workshops, and collaborating with other services. Candidates should have strong knowledge of UK welfare entitlements and experience supporting individuals in crisis. Join a passionate team committed to making a difference in lives through financial capability.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with mental health challenges, especially in crisis situations.
• Strong understanding of the UK welfare system and benefits entitlements.
• Confidence in managing risk and creating safety plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one support to clients navigating financial stability.
• Run money management workshops and assess new clients.
• Work collaboratively with other services to improve client outcomes.

Skills

Experience supporting people with mental health needs

Strong working knowledge of UK benefits

Experience giving budgeting advice

Strong communication and partnership skills

Job description

Location: Lewes base with travel across East Sussex.

Salary: £24,921 calculated pro rata (full time salary £27,942) + essential car user allowance £892 calculate pro rata (full time car allowance £1000), per year

Hours: 33 per week

What you’ll be doing:

Are you passionate about financial inclusion and mental health? Join our team as a Financial Inclusion Specialist and help people build financial stability and confidence as they move forward in their recovery journey. Part of Southdown’s wider mental health services in East Sussex, you’ll provide one-to-one support to clients experiencing mental health challenges, helping them navigate the benefits system, manage their money, and access the right support at the right time. You’ll be a go-to expert on welfare benefits such as PIP, ESA, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Universal Credit, and work with clients to explore budgeting, maximise income, and reduce financial stress.

Responsibilities:

This is a varied, client-facing role where no two days are the same. You'll assess new clients, support people in crisis, run money management workshops, and work closely with other services. You'll also help improve the service by sharing ideas and client feedback.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience supporting people with mental health needs, including those in crisis or facing complex challenges
• Strong working knowledge of UK benefits and welfare entitlements
• Experience giving budgeting advice, completing benefit calculations, and challenging decisions
• Confidence managing risk and co‑creating safety plans
• Strong communication and partnership skills
• A standard DBS check (paid for by Southdown)
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

What would be nice:

• Familiarity with the principles of co-production and personalised care
• Experience facilitating financial capability workshops or training sessions
• Knowledge of employment and education pathways to help clients move forward

Training:

Our award‑winning in‑house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form. The application closing date is 11 January 2026. Interviews will be held by arrangement. Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

About Southdown

Contact information: Our online careers page has a list of helpful FAQs that you can view here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with recruitment via email at [e-mail]

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.