I directly manage a team of 3 Senior Benefit Officers and 5 Benefit Officers. My team deals with both temporary accommodation and supported/exempt accommodation. Indirectly, 10 Senior Benefit Officers and 11 Benefit Officers.Make decisions on whether companies fall under the supported/exempt definition.Examine and query rent levels for supported/exempt accommodation with providers to establish if they are reasonable.Provide feedback to the team through monthly one-to-ones and bi-annual performance reviews. Advise and set both team and individual performance targets.Provide management information and statistics relating to individual and team performance, capability, attendance, overtime, sickness absence and service performance measures.Manage and allocate workload across the team.Conduct recruitment of Benefit and Senior Benefit Officers.Responsible for producing and maintaining policies and procedures that are compliant with legislation and Council Policies. Produce and deliver service specific training and providing technical support to Benefits staff, other Council groups, Members and stakeholders. Arrange other internal and external training as required.Undertake accuracy checks to ensure staff adhere to the most up to date procedures and legislation in a constantly changing benefits environment. Important to ensure accurate assessments due to subsidy implications.Assist with Member enquires, complaints and FOIs as necessary.Undertake or assist in testing of new systems/system changes in order to amend/produce procedures and identify training requirements.Assist with project managing service changes including systems and policy, I oversee a number of projects, e.g. National Fraud Initiative, Accuracy Initiative, Household Support Fund, etcI answer and resolve any subsidy and audit queries.Plus more

Contractor within Housing Benefit department of Hillingdon Council.