This role presents a valuable opportunity to offer advice and practical support to individuals affected by domestic abuse, including economic abuse, who are residing in safe accommodation across County Durham. The Domestic Abuse Financial Inclusion Support Officer will provide guidance and representation on social security benefits, alongside delivering comprehensive financial advice and assistance tailored to individual needs.
The Financial Inclusion Support Programme is committed to exploring innovative approaches to tackling child poverty. Its primary aim is to proactively support families by alleviating financial hardship through personalised, one-to-one support. The programme focuses initially on welfare rights and education entitlements, helping individuals understand and access the benefits available to them, while also offering support with debt resolution.
Please contact Julia Waterhouse via email at julia.waterhouse@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will manage a caseload of individuals affected by domestic abuse, providing advice on financial support and assistance, with a particular focus on social security benefits. The role will also involve liaising with and referring clients to appropriate advice agencies and service providers, ensuring a coordinated approach to promoting financial wellbeing.
You will deliver a comprehensive range of financial advice and support services through multiple communication channels, including face‑to‑face appointments, telephone, and online provision. This will include offering guidance on financial support options, with a strong emphasis on maximising access to social security benefits.
You will contribute to effective partnership working by engaging with children, young people, and parents/carers who are impacted by domestic abuse. The role requires active collaboration and consultation across a wide network of partners, including the voluntary and community sector (VCS), Local Authority teams, and other service providers and agencies.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
* A Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Our commitment to safeguarding
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List and Adults Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity.
Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children, adults, or both.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
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