Leaving Care Benefits Officer – SO1

Job Category : Admin / Clerical.
Location : Hackney Service Centre, Hackney Council.
Hours Per Week : 36.00.
Start Date : Immediate Start.
Start Time : 09:00.
End Time : 17:00.
Salary: £17.21.

Enhanced DBS Required

The Placement Management Unit (PMU) will be the one stop shop for placements and accommodation for looked after children, care leavers and young people supported under section 17 of the Children Act. The PMU will be a business unit that will help improve placement standards and stability, as well as reduce expenditure through better and consistent management of contracts and negotiating competitive and consistent prices.
The unit will be responsible for the accreditation of new suppliers and for the ongoing quality assurance and management of providers under a variety of different framework agreements and spot purchasing arrangements.
The unit will include a team of staff who will deliver accounts payable and receivable services and who will carry out financial assessments to support post permanency arrangements.
The post holder will work closely with Social Work Units, in-house foster carers and external providers to identify quality placements and accommodation for looked after children, care leavers and other young people in need of support and accommodation. The post holder will also work with young people to ensure they are claiming their universal credits/housing benefit.

This post is required to support in increasing the number of young people claiming universal credit / housing benefits that are living in semi independent or foster placements to reduce the financial impact on the LA who is responsible for covering these costs if the young person is not claiming.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
● At least one years experience in dealing with welfare entitlements.
● Knowledge of or ability to learn about welfare reforms and entitlements.
● Understanding of the statutory responsibilities of the Local Authority in relation to Care Leavers.
● Experience using a range ICT systems (proficient use of excel especially).
● Equal Opportunities and H&S
● Experience of working to achieve targets
● Dealing directly with and advising members of staff and service users whilst remaining professional
● Working flexibly to meet the needs of a service and its service users
● Knowledge and understanding of local government and its context, and key, current local government financial issues.
● Awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs of vulnerable children and their families
● Understanding of Equal Opportunities, and Data Protection legislation
● Understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Children’s Services function