Welfare and Housing Support Adviser in Shrewsbury
Posted by Lynx Employment Services Ltd
£15.31 an hour
Shrewsbury (SY2) · Contract
# Welfare and Housing Support Adviser
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday Working Arrangement: Hybrid working
### About the Role
We are currently recruiting for a Welfare and Housing Support Adviser to join the clients Welfare Support Team on a 5 month contract.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in welfare support, financial assistance, benefits or housing advice to make a real difference to vulnerable individuals and households experiencing financial hardship.
You will play a key role in administering discretionary welfare funding, assessing applications for financial assistance and providing practical advice to residents facing difficult circumstances.
Working closely with internal teams and external support agencies, you will help customers access financial assistance, maximise their income and identify sustainable solutions to improve their circumstances.
### Key Responsibilities
- Assess and process applications for Local Welfare Provision and discretionary financial assistance, ensuring decisions are fair, accurate and compliant with policies.
- Gather and review supporting documentation, financial information and evidence to determine eligibility for funding.
- Make sensitive discretionary funding decisions, including first-stage reconsiderations, while considering individual circumstances.
- Provide advice and guidance to vulnerable residents experiencing financial hardship.
- Carry out benefit entitlement checks, income assessments and better-off calculations to identify additional financial support.
- Identify opportunities to prevent financial difficulties from escalating and support customers towards greater financial independence.
- Work closely with council departments, customer services and external organisations to coordinate appropriate support.
- Signpost customers to specialist services, including welfare benefits, debt advice and other financial support providers.
- Maintain accurate case records, update relevant systems and ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
- Monitor discretionary funding decisions to support effective budget management.
- Prepare correspondence and communicate decisions clearly and sensitively to customers.
- Contribute to service improvements and the effective delivery of welfare support services.
### Essential Skills and Experience
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:
Previous experience in Welfare Support, Benefits Administration, Financial Assistance, Housing Support, Customer Services or a similar environment. Experience assessing applications, reviewing supporting evidence and making informed decisions. Good understanding of welfare benefits, financial hardship and support available to vulnerable households. Strong customer service skills, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging situations. Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex decisions clearly and professionally. Strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret policies and apply guidance consistently. Experience working with external agencies and internal departments to achieve positive outcomes. Good IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records using case management or customer information systems. Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and meet deadlines. A compassionate, professional and customer-focused approach.### Desirable Experience
Previous experience working within a local authority or public sector welfare support service. Knowledge of Local Welfare Provision or discretionary assistance schemes. Experience carrying out welfare benefit checks, income assessments or financial calculations. Understanding of homelessness prevention and housing-related financial support. Experience supporting vulnerable customers experiencing financial crisis.### Working Arrangements
The role is based in Shrewsbury, with hybrid working arrangements involving a combination of home working and attendance at council offices or other sites as required.
Normal working hours are 8:45am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.
Basic DBS required
If you have experience supporting vulnerable residents, assessing financial assistance applications or providing welfare advice, we would love to hear from you.
Application opens at the source listing. Free for jobseekers.