Senior Persons Benefits Maximisation Officer

Term This is a 3 months Fixed Term Contract running until 31st March, 2025. Interviews to take place on 20th December 2024. Context & Purpose: The Lantern Trust are working in partnership with Dorset Council, to obtain grants to provide a support service to enable vulnerable residents to apply for Pension Credit to maximise their income. The grant will enable The Lantern Trust to add capacity to our existing offer and support requests from eligible senior residents to claim Pension Credit and other benefits, particularly focusing on vulnerable and housebound residents. We will have a target cohort of around 6000 people across Weymouth & Portland living in various types of Poverty according to the DiiS. We will target the most vulnerable that the PCN have identified. Expectations & Behaviours: The successful applicant will take pride and ownership in all they do, they will be reliable and responsible, have an understanding of working with benefits, excellent attention to detail and experience of completing forms both online and in face-to-face meetings. Key Responsibilities & Duties Have an understanding of Pension Credits and Benefits Experience in supporting vulnerable people Knowledge of applying for grants and benefits on behalf of others Excellent attention to detail Knowledge of completing forms (digital and hard copy) Provide support through face-to-face conversations, virtual conversations, and phone-based conversations Accurately record and collect relevant information, seeking consent and collaboration from the person where possible Provide reports detailing how the funding has been used Deal with problems and identify solutions Work closely with Primary Care Network, Dorset Healthcare and Help & Care's Social Prescribing Teams to ensure we are reaching as many customers as possible. Also working directly with Dorset Councils social care and health teams Work collaboratively with others NB: All employees are expected to adhere to Diversity & Equality and Health and Safety Policies. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Skills and Knowledge Required Listening, communication and relationship building skills Understanding of safeguarding and risk assessments Ability to adapt to new ways of working and support service development An awareness of the wider non-clinical issues that are important for people Strong working knowledge or ability to learn about local organisations supporting vulnerable people Proficiency in MS office, and ability to record accurately using a range of electronic systems for both client and external network contacts Experience of collecting relevant information and recording on relevant systems contributing to the evaluation of a service Ability to use feedback from people using the service to consider any development opportunities for service improvement Education: GCSE or equivalent (preferred) Experience: Community or support based roles: 1 year (preferred) Essential Experience: Experience of utilising listening skills and working in a person-centred way Experience of working in community or support-based roles, in a paid or voluntary capacity Experience of working under own direction, managing workload Others: Meets DBS reference standards and criminal record checks –

Essential Ability to work flexible hours and travel out of area as necessary Essential Values: Honesty Openness Reliability Accountability Confidentially Outstanding Service to People Honouring and empowering those we serve Offering choice wherever possible Enabling people to take control of their own lives The Importance of Every Individual Respect Caring for people Treating everyone as we would want to be treated Equal opportunities Valuing differences Non-discriminatory Non-judgemental Non-exploitative Holistic in approach The Importance of Working Together Supporting each other Working as a team Being flexible and creative when responding to needs Recognising more is achieved in harmony than alone Professional Competence Getting the basics rights Earning a high regard in our field Maximising delegation Empowering and developing staff Giving best value Maintaining a quality service Essential Behaviours: Taking pride and ownership in all I do Being reliable and responsible Encouraging initiative and responsibility Recognising and complimenting good work Ensuring the person in front of me knows they are important Having an attitude of achievement Talking to each other and not about each other Saying thank you Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract Contract length: 3 months Pay: £14.00 per hour Expected hours: 25 per week Schedule: Monday to Friday Education: GCSE or equivalent (preferred) Experience: Community or support based roles: 1 year (preferred) Work Location: In person Application deadline: 13/12/2024 Expected start date: 02/01/2025

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