Job Introduction
Role Purpose
We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Specialist to join our Appeals and Discretion Team at BCP Council. The main purpose is to deal with complex issues and provide advice and guidance to staff in relation to Discretionary Housing Payments, Benefit reconsiderations, Appeals and discounts.
Main Responsibilities
To process complex cases accurately and efficiently, including Discretionary Housing Payments, Benefit reconsiderations and discounts.
To assist in the preparation and submission of Appeal files to the Tribunal and represent BCP Council at such hearings.
To be the first point of contact for the resolution of problems and issues, and to liaise with the team manager as necessary to escalate concerns which may have an impact upon service standards. .
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an individual with excellent technical knowledge of the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support legislation, who can deal with complex customer issues, has an eye for detail and a strong commitment to the delivery of a professional customer service.
Candidates must have:
- Good interpersonal, communication, numeracy, and literacy skills
- The ability to work with a wide range of people
- The ability to support, train and empower staff
- A flexible approach to change and working practices
- The ability to use data to inform the decision-making process in line with procedures and legislative requirements.
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
We offer an excellent benefits package for further details see here
As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We have been in a process of collective bargaining since 2019 and have positively worked forward to reach an agreed position with the unions for the new contractual offer. This has taken longer than we hoped and therefore we are having to consider all alternative avenues available to enable us to remove inequality in the organisation as a result of bringing together 3 councils.
We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation, and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. We want to reassure everyone that whichever route is taken to reach the new terms and conditions, we can honour continuous service and there will not be any job reduction as a result of the implementation of Pay and Reward. If you have any questions at all about this process, please feel free to raise this with the hiring manager.
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.
