Financial Inclusion Officer

Role Title: Financial Inclusion Officer

Reporting To: Housing Manager

Job Purpose:

Working across the Maryhill area and in partnership with other organisations and agencies to build the financial capability and confidence of our tenants, providing general and specific welfare and associated advice to ensure information, awareness and access to benefits and financial products is maximised. To develop an integrated approach to financial inclusion within the Association and help maximise rent collection and service delivery.

General Duties:

· Provide information and advice on all aspects of Welfare Rights to our customers, including benefit checks and where appropriate, refer to specialist agencies.

·Undertake case work on both an individual and group basis.

· Ensure the take up of related benefits, grants and other sources of funds which would improve the ability of individuals to live independently within the community.

· Promote money advice in a variety of ways, including household budgeting advice and money saving tips and referring to specialist agencies where necessary.

· Assist and support customers with access to affordable utilities and help signpost to specialist agencies for suitable bank accounts and related financial products, including affordable credit.

· Promote and provide advice and signposting on education, training or employment in liaison with the Wider Action role and external services / agencies.

· Where appropriate, hold “surgeries” out with the Association at suitable venues e.g. clubs for older or disabled people, community halls.

·Support other members of the team by assisting them with difficult or complex cases and advising of potential solutions available.

· Offer guidance and support to customers who are identified as potentially vulnerable in order to help them manage their finances and prevent the accumulation of debt.

· Carry out home visits where required.

· Provide signposting in Fuel Efficiency sources.

Partnership Working:

· Work with local, statutory and voluntary agencies to promote and roll out existing services and to develop new initiatives that will help our customers to improve their financial capabilities and money management skills.

Effective Liaison:

· Liaise with other agencies on benefit enquiries and issues on individual or general matters.

· Act as an advocate on behalf of customers with statutory and voluntary organisations, and where appropriate, with Association staff.

· Work and liaise with Housing Benefits and the DWP to improve service delivery outcomes for tenants.

Team Working:

· In liaison with Housing Management, maintain and develop customer profiling data, and identify “high risk” customers in relation to direct payments of rent.

· Work closely with Housing Officers to ensure that support and assistance is offered to customers in arrears as early as possible.

· Keep up to date on changes in relevant legislation and regulations and provide briefings and training to staff on money advice, welfare reform and related developments.

Increasing Awareness:

· Organise events and roadshows and contribute to externally organised related events.

· Actively promote financial inclusion through newsletter articles, our website and the development of information leaflets, etc.

· Work with local schools and community groups to improve financial awareness.

· Lead initiatives and campaigns to maximise customer incomes, e.g. Maryhill Helps, Cash for Kids and anti-poverty week.

Reporting:

· Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and maintained effectively to assess the impact and outcomes of the service.

· Ensure that monthly performance reports are completed on time and to agreed reporting formats

Other Duties:

·  Any other relevant duties as agreed with the Housing Manager, Head of Neighbourhoods or Director of Operations.