Job Description

The Corporate Debt Welfare Officer will work alongside a dedicated, debt recovery team to review cases with an outstanding debt to the local authority (Council Tax and other miscellaneous debts) and develop more effective processes to prevent debt occurring and address it early.



They will provide essential support to customers who find themselves in financial difficulty and are often vulnerable in other ways, working to understand the customer and their circumstances, discover the underlying issues, and work with customers to find solutions.



Complete and verify customer assessments and change of circumstances to an agreed standard by conducting home visits, postal, caller and telephone reviews in accordance with legislation, policies, case law, and the working practices and procedures of the council.



Improve outcomes for customers by providing support, advice and assistance including financial, housing, digital, debt, and budgeting support available to them to maximise their household income, and by arranging the appropriate support in respect of any applications to the following discretionary funds - Discretionary Housing Payments, the Help scheme, and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Hardship Fund.

Organisation

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Location

Ellesmere Port

Job Category

Corporate

Grade

CWAC NJC - Grade 7

Salary Min

30,060 per annum

Salary Max

33,366 per annum

Hours per week

37

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Fixed Term

Contract Duration

2 years

Closing Date

23/07/2025

Ref No

W4058

Documents

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive - through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.



This is an exciting new role within the Corporate Debt team, the role of Corporate Debt Welfare Officer will involve a great deal of multitasking and customer contact.



You will be required to provide essential support to customers who find themselves in financial difficulty and are often vulnerable in other ways, working to understand the customer and their circumstances, discover the underlying issues, and work with customers to find solutions.



A good knowledge of Welfare Benefits, Local Authority Billing and Debt related legislation and sound understanding of Debt Recovery processes and options available is essential.



If you would like to discuss the role further please contact Kayleigh O'Brien on 01244 506998 or by email kayleigh.obrien@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk





Please note that this job is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.



To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk



No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!



Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment. Please see the Equality Policy for more information.



Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of 12.60 per hour for all contracted hours.



For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.