Senior Benefits & Housing Advisor (Hybrid)

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave (pro rata)

LGPS pension

Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbing

Training and development

Career development opportunities

Staff networks

Flexible working from day one

Job summary

Suffolk County Council's Benefits and Housing Advisor is a 26-hour per week, hybrid role in Ipswich. You will provide expert benefits and housing guidance to professionals working with vulnerable adults and children, supporting colleagues and partners across Suffolk.

As part of the Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS), you will deliver casework assistance, quality assurance, and help shape training, resources, and guidance for staff and external partners.

Qualifications

• Significant and up-to-date knowledge of social security and housing law with experience advising on entitlements, reconsiderations and appeals.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and produce professional guidance.
• Genuine passion for making a positive difference supporting advice agencies and practitioners.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address complex benefit and housing issues.
• Working knowledge of the Care Act and charging regulations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist second-tier advice to practitioners, agencies, and partner organisations.
• Act as first point of contact for benefit and housing enquiries via telephone and email.
• Provide advice, casework assistance and quality assurance within FIAs.
• Monitor helpline data to identify trends and inform service development.
• Develop and maintain practice guidance and resources for council and partners.
• Support Ipswich County Court Advice and Representation Service to protect tenancy and prevent homelessness.

Skills

Social security knowledge

Housing law knowledge

Communication skills

Plain English guidance

Problem solving

Job description

Suffolk County Council's Benefits and Housing Advisor is a 26-hour per week, hybrid role in Ipswich. You will provide expert benefits and housing guidance to professionals working with vulnerable adults and children, supporting colleagues and partners across Suffolk.

As part of the Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS), you will deliver casework assistance, quality assurance, and help shape training, resources, and guidance for staff and external partners.