Financial Wellbeing Officer

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Llanelli; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales is recruiting a Financial Wellbeing Officer to provide information, advice and support to carers across West Wales facing financial hardship. The role includes accessing grants, discounts and concessions, and promoting financial resilience.

You will work with colleagues to ensure access to services, develop budgeting tools, and help improve financial security for carers and the people they care for. Hybrid working in Llanelli.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering financial support and welfare benefits advice.
• Experience networking with statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Experience providing information, advice and support to vulnerable individuals.
• Direct experience working for a support service and achieving positive outcomes.
• Experience working with policies, procedures and guidance.
• Solution-focused / problem-solving ability.

Responsibilities

• Act as a point of contact for carers and vulnerable individuals experiencing financial hardship.
• Produce information for carers and assist them to access grants, discounts and concessions.
• Help carers to develop tools for managing finances and promoting financial sustainability.
• Support delivery of informal workshops, talks and drop-in information sessions.
• Develop and promote partnerships with community food networks and fuel networks.
• Complete benefits checks and signpost to Welfare Benefits services.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Welsh language ability

Education

General education/experience

NVQ/QCF in Health & Social Care

Level 4 Diploma in Advice & Guidance

Job description

TITLE

Financial Wellbeing Officer

CONTRACT TYPE

Fixed term until 31st March 2028

SALARY

£25,419 per annum pro rata

DBS

Enhanced DBS required with Adult Barring Check

HOURS

Full time or Part-Time – tbc

EMPLOYED BY

Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales

RESPONSIBLE TO

Financial Wellbeing Services Coordinator

LOCATION

Llanelli Office / Hybrid Working

OVERALL AIMS OF THE POST

• Provide information, advice and support to carers throughout West Wales who are experiencing financial hardship to maximise their income and work towards improved financial security
• Work with colleagues to ensure carers are supported to access other existing services.

Areas of Responsibility

• To act as a point of contact for carers and vulnerable individuals experiencing financial hardship and to take a holistic approach to assessing financial wellbeing
• To produce information for carers and vulnerable individuals and assist them to access a range of grants, discounts and concessions available to them and/or the individuals they care for
• To support carers and vulnerable individuals to develop tools to effectively manage their finances and promote financial sustainability
• To support the delivery of informal workshops, talks and drop-in information sessions, for example on budgeting skills, etc. to help carers become more financially resilient.
• To support carers and vulnerable individuals through local community groups in community settings
• To develop and promote partnerships with community food networks including food banks, community fridges etc.
• To develop and promote partnerships with community fuel networks including fuel co-operatives
• To help maximise carers’ and vulnerable individuals income by completing benefits checks & benefit applications for them, signposting onwards for specialist Welfare Benefits case work.
• To support individuals to switch tariffs, access social tariffs and to claim payments including the Warm Homes Discount
• To support carers and vulnerable individuals to apply for the Priority Service Register with energy providers
• To work with all teams within Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales to identify carers who are experiencing financial hardship
• To work with partner agencies and others who may have contact with carers and vulnerable individuals, to increase the number of individuals known to the service and to other services across West Wales. This may include activities such as attendance at events, manning stalls, providing briefings for professionals, attending drop-ins, manning points of contact in surgeries, hospitals, etc.
• When individuals are referred to the project, assess their needs and jointly agree a plan to address those needs adopting a person-centred strengths-based approach – either through direct activity or by referring to other agencies.
• Where other services may be more appropriate to meeting the needs of individuals make referrals to these services – as agreed with the individual.
• To raise carer awareness through involvement in carer and related community events e.g. Carers Week and Carers Rights Day.

Team working/Networking and Liaison

• To be aware of opportunities for new partnership working, and help to develop clear protocols for joint working
• To foster and maintain existing partnerships with a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community group and forums.
• To develop effective teamwork through informal and formal communication with colleagues and regular attendance and input into team meetings etc.
• To offer and provide team cover and continuity of services to clients in the event of colleagues planned/unplanned absence i.e. annual leave etc.

Administrative/Service Development

• To maintain accurate case records on our Customer Relationship Management system
• To assist in collating client feedback and information to evidence need for improvement of existing services and/or development of new services
• To develop effective teamwork through informal and formal communication with colleagues and regular attendance and input into team meetings etc.
• To assist in the preparation of information reports as required by funders
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, adopting safe working practices always.

General

• To be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children.
• To work at all times within the philosophy and policies of Carers Trust.
• To comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and with Carers Trust policy, paying particular attention to the reporting of dangerous situations.
• To respect the personal choice and lifestyles of colleagues, carers, and people with care needs, ensuring that Equal Opportunity principles are applied always
• To comply with Carers Trust staff Code of Conduct.
• To undertake any other duties that may be considered commensurate with the level of the post.

Person specification

Desirable

• Experience of delivering financial support and/or welfare benefits advice and support
• Experience of networking and liaising with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations
• Experience of providing information, advice and support to vulnerable individuals
• Direct experience of working for a support service and achieving positive outcomes for beneficiaries
• Working with and implementing policies, procedures and guidance
• Solution focussed / problem solving ability

Essential

• Experience of delivering financial support and/or welfare benefits advice and support
• Experience of networking and liaising with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations
• Experience of providing information, advice and support to vulnerable individuals
• Direct experience of working for a support service and achieving positive outcomes for beneficiaries
• Working with and implementing policies, procedures and guidance
• Solution focussed / problem solving ability

Experience

• Experience of delivering financial support and/or welfare benefits advice and support
• Experience of networking and liaising with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations
• Experience of providing information, advice and support to vulnerable individuals
• Direct experience of working for a support service and achieving positive outcomes for beneficiaries
• Working with and implementing policies, procedures and guidance
• Solution focussed / problem solving ability

Qualifications

• A good standard of general education or ability to demonstrate relevant experience
• Experience of delivering informal talks / training / workshops
• NVQ/QCF in a relevant subject e.g. Health & Social Care
• Level 4 Diploma in Advice & Guidance (or a commitment to achieve this)

Skills and abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of relevant legislation
• Highly organised working methods with an ability to write and update accurate records
• Ability to communicate in Welsh
• Ability to use IT effectively including email, Word and experience of using data bases
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to use your initiative and work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload
• Good self-awareness and commitment to continuous professional development.
• A positive attitude and ability to embrace the values and ethos of Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales in everyday practice.

Knowledge

• An understanding of carers and the impact of caring
• An understanding of the statutory and third sector support service provision in West Wales
• Clear understanding of the Health & Safety at Work Act and own and others’ responsibilities
• A knowledge of legislation and regulatory bodies relating to the giving of financial information, advice and guidance

Other

• Valid Driving Licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes and ability to travel occasionally throughout Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.