Darren Smith Email & Phone Number

Kingswinford, Gb

Developed a groundbreaking approach to identify and support financial vulnerability in the borough. Working with key partners to redefine how we support our residents in achieving lasting financial stability, and improving financial resilience for the organisation through improved engagement with residents in key areas such as Council Tax.My role involves:* Identifying issues and barriers, finding solutions to address these.* Developing and implementing innovative software solutions with key partners to deliver the vision, including Financial Vulnerability and Propensity to Pay profiling, use of geospatial data, a bespoke benefits calculator and the build and implementation of a digital solution to enable residents to apply for support, including key features such as an SFS income and expenditure form, benefit calculator and Open Banking functionality to further reduce complexity.* Implementing new ways of working and processes to take a more holistic approach to the needs of our residents and the organisation.* Responsibility for Barnet's Welfare Financial Support team, delivering Local Welfare Provision, Discretionary Housing Payments and Council Tax Discretionary Relief.* Analysing results and optimising to improve outcomes.* Sharing the blueprint and collaborating with other LA's and organisations to ensure the positive impacts are felt beyond our borough.* Developing intervention and prevention processes.

London, England, United Kingdom

As the Revenues and Benefits manager at the London Borough of Barnet, I am responsible for setting the framework and strategy, developing direction for new initiatives and shaping policy guidelines for the Revenues and Benefits Service, along with the effective management of the Revenues and Benefits contract with Capita.

London, England, United Kingdom

Change Champion for the London Borough of Barnet finance team. Communicating key messages, gathering feedback and being the ultimate role models for all things TW3.Technology Champion - supporting and guiding colleagues through the technology roll out and signposting them to further information.Moves Management Champion - getting teams organised and ready for the physical moves to Colindale and supporting teams to get settled in the new building.Modern Ways of Working Champion - be a sounding board and inputting into supporting guidance, processes and procedures around new ways of working and all things TW3, promoting these to teams and feeding back.

London, United Kingdom

Acting Principal Revenues and Benefits Officer supporting the Head of Service in ensuring the effective management of the contract for the Revenues and Benefits Service, including the delivery of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Welfare Reform.

Whetstone, London

Key responsibilities - Project Manager - Council Tax Support Scheme 2019/20 - Creating and implementing a new Council Tax Support Scheme in line with Universal Credit regulations.Project lead for Area Committee Grants Project, responsible for 300k grants budget awarded to various charities and organisations across the 3 Barnet parishesLiaising with stakeholdersQuality Assurance ensuring KPI's are being adhered to following the outsourcing of the Revenues and Benefits service.Revenues Prosecuting OfficerWorking with Auditors

Whetstone, London

Worked in conjunction with another contract at Stafford Borough council (22 hours per week each)Key responsibilities - Project Manager as part of the conversion team from Pericles to Civica using Prince2 methodology.System TroubleshooterFloorwalkerSubsidy, Overpayments and appeals officerWorked with Auditors year on yearResponsible for all system issues not escalated to software companyResponsible for Councillor enquiries

Worked on multiple contracts including team management, project management, training officer and floorwalker, system conversion specialist, officer roles including overpayments, appeals, subsidy and benefits.

Stafford

Working in conjunction with another contract at London Borough of Barnet (22 hours per week each)Key responsibilities - Direct Report into Head of Revenues and BenefitsManage staffCollate stats/evidence for Revenues & Benefits Performance figuresWorked on Fraud adjudicationsQuality checkingResponsible for monthly meetings with staff and one to one's

Codsall, Wolverhampton

Key Responsibilities - Full day to day management of the Housing Benefit teamProject lead for the implementation of the Overpayment Recovery TeamCollate stats/evidence for Revenues & Benefits Performance figuresTraining new starters and existing staffWorked on subsidy claim Responsible for all Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP's)Dealing with any technical issues relating to Pericles Quality AssuranceProducing Training guides/aids for staff for various dutiesUsing Pericles

Hendon, London

Key Responsibilities - Project Manager working on Data Migration from HBIS to PericlesDealing with all technical issues relating to conversionTroubleshooterResponsible for system testing upon receipt of new release/service packsFloorwalkingTraining staffResponsible for subsidy imbalance, suspended cases, exceptions and account imbalance reports

Walsall, West Midlands

Working in conjunction with another contract at Cheshire East.Key Responsibilities - Project officer working on Data Migration from HBIS to IWorld (now Northgate)Dealing with all technical issues relating to conversion in respect of Homeless B&B caseloadFloorwalkingResponsible for system exceptions reportsAssessed all types of Housing/Council tax Benefit claims

Macclesfield, Cheshire

Key Responsibilities - Project officer working on Data Migration from HBIS to PericlesDealing with all technical issues relating to conversionFloorwalkingTraining staffResponsible for system exceptions reportsAssessed all types of Housing/Council tax Benefit claims

Business Administration And Management, General

Education record