Part Time Support Coordinator

Gentoo Group Ltd; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A community-focused support organization in Sunderland is seeking a part-time Support Coordinator to empower customers in managing their finances and sustaining their tenancies. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of welfare benefits, budgeting expertise, and the ability to build trusted relationships. Flexibility and collaborative skills are essential for working alongside a supportive team and various agencies to promote financial inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience in partnership working, ideally within Sunderland.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and compassionately.
• Experience within regulatory frameworks (e.g. GDPR, welfare benefits).

Responsibilities

• Maximise customer income through various financial support checks and claims.
• Help customers improve their financial wellbeing with personalised services.
• Collaborate with other agencies to meet the holistic needs of customers.

Skills

Knowledge of welfare benefits

Budgeting expertise

Communication skills

Partnership working

Education

IMA qualification or willingness to work towards

Tools

IT skills

Job description

Location of the position: Office base within City Hall (flexibility within any Gentoo office as required) and customer facing work within our communities.
Job title the position reports the Financial Inclusion Manager
You'll be working with a fantastic team of six Support Coordinators and five Neighbourhood Support Assistants, who continually developing the service to deliver the best possible service to our customers, demonstrating that we truly care about our customers. As part of the Money Matters Team, you will be experienced in a range of Welfare Benefits, understand budgeting and be able to build trusting professional relationships with customers. An understanding of Debt Adjusting would be beneficial. You'll have experience of partnership working, ideally within Sunderland, and you'll be able to positively challenge other organisations where necessary.
Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am - 5pm, Friday 8.30 - 12.30 (some flexibility is required)
Driving licence is required
DBS check required (we cover the cost)
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Do you have a strong understanding of welfare benefits and the ability to build support relationships? We are looking for a dedicated and empathetic individual to join our Money Matters team as a Support Coordinator.
This part-time opportunity is due to an upcoming retirement, and we're excited to welcome someone who shares our commitment to financial inclusion and community support.
Location: Sunderland City Hall (with flexibility to work across Gentoo offices and in the community)
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm, Friday 8:30am-12:30pm (some flexibility required)
Join Gentoo as a Money Matters Support Coordinator and help empower our customers to take control of their finances and sustain their tenancies. In this part-time role, you'll work closely with a supportive team of Support Coordinators and Neighbourhood Support Assistants to promote financial inclusion, maximise income, reduce outgoings, and provide debt adjusting support.
We are looking for someone with strong knowledge of welfare benefits, budgeting expertise, and the ability to build trusted relationships. Experience in partnership working-ideally within Sunderland-and a proactive approach to advocating for customers are key. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you
Key responsibilities will include:
Maximising customer income through Benefit Checks, better-off calculations, budgeting advice, benefit claims, debt adjusting, signposting to other services and more, to ensure that customers receive the support that they need to maintain their tenancy.
Helping customers to improve their financial wellbeing by providing a personalised service that meets their needs, while increasing customers' knowledge, skills and independence.
Collaborate with other agencies to ensure that the holistic needs of the individual customer are considered and met.
Support customers to challenge decisions with other agencies, through practical support and guidance with Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals.
Actively work to stay ahead with knowledge of Welfare Reform, Universal Credit and other Welfare Benefits and Government initiatives relevant to the role.
A full UK Drivers licence is essential for this position.
The role is subject to a basic DBS paid for by Gentoo.
What we are looking for

Strong knowledge of welfare benefits, social housing, and financial wellbeing.
Full UK driving licence.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and compassionately.
Build trust with customers, colleagues, and partners.
Confident in partnership working and professional advocacy.
Organised, self-motivated, and thrive in a team environment.
Strong IT skills with the ability to learn and work across different systems
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
IMA qualification or willingness to work towards.
Experience working within regulatory frameworks (e.g. GDPR, welfare benefits)
Desirable:
Experience supporting customers with Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals.
Local knowledge of Sunderland and its support networks

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
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