Service Development Worker, Bathgate Partnerships Centre, 484.28 - WEL08566

£30,001 - £40,000

WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL, Bathgate, West Lothian

Full time
Permanent

Posted 4 days ago, 13 Sep | Get your application in now to be included in the first week's applications.

Closing date: 27-09-2024 (In 9 days)

job Ref: WEL08566

Full Job Description

Job Advert

We are keen to employ a diverse workforce that reflects the people of Scotland. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from groups currently under-represented, including people with disabilities, those from minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds

West Lothian Council’s Anti-Poverty Service is committed to improving the quality of life for local communities by employing excellent, motivated people who share our passion for partnership working and providing financial support to the people of West Lothian.

The Anti-Poverty Service covers a wide range of services including:

Housing Benefits and Council Tax Reduction schemes
Discretionary Housing Payment
Scottish Welfare Fund grants
Blue Badges
Welfare Rights Advocacy

The successful candidate will undertake the role of Service Development Officer (SDO) within the Benefit and Financial support team, reporting directly to the Benefits, Assessment and Development Team Manager. The role will involve looking at improved more streamlined ways of delivering the service to allow support to reach those most vulnerable and in need of financial support and within a timely manner. As the landscape of poverty changes the main focus of the SDO will be ensuring that the service continues to develop and improve in line with the ongoing changes to benefits:

Key responsibilities will include:

Automation – looking at ways we can save processing time through automated processes. This involves leading on any joint working projects with our IT partners.
Compliance – Ensuring that staff have completed necessary training to comply with any job requirements and co-ordinating the completion of statutory returns such as National Data Sharing agreements.
Produce Performance management reports.
Benefit subsidy including liaising with internal and external auditors and other relevant stakeholders.

Work alongside colleagues within the wider Anti-Poverty service to help develop and assist in the creation of benefit take-up campaigns