AR/Income Officer

Job Details

Job Category: Admin & ClericalLocation: Station Road, Ilford, Greater London, IG6 1NBHours Per Week: 35Salary: £20.00 per hourStart Date: Immediate StartStart Time: 07:30End Time: 17:00

Role Overview

Hybrid role – three days per week in office, with visits to young people. Responsibilities include supporting care‑experienced young people in achieving housing stability, and managing the Universal Credit Housing Element sign‑up process for semi‑independent accommodation.

Key Responsibilities – Children & Housing Service

• Work with Children Services and partner agencies to provide a proactive housing service for care‑experienced young people.
• Manage the Universal Credit Housing Element sign‑up process for semi‑independent accommodation.
• Ensure young people are advised of their rent and benefits obligations.
• Take primary responsibility for ensuring housing benefit/Universal Credit are in place for accommodation/tenancies.
• Act as co‑ordinate liaison between Housing Benefit/Universal Credit and the Leaving Care/Housing Department.
• Create and manage rent accounts on the housing management database (Cx) for young people in semi‑independent accommodation.
• Complete all required administrative tasks, including reports, assessments and record‑keeping in accordance with Redbridge Housing and Leaving Care policies.
• Attend professional meetings, multi‑agency panels, liaison meetings and specialist support meetings as required.

Key Responsibilities – Income/Accounts Receivable

• Member of the Income/Accounts Receivable Team, dealing with all areas of invoicing and collection of fees and charges for all Council Departments.
• Provide a customer‑focused service, collecting fees and charges from individuals, companies and public sector organisations in accordance with procedures, legislation and Council policy.
• Ensure all debts are properly raised and liaise with relevant staff in Revenues, Benefits & Transactional Centre, other Council Departments and external representatives.

Accountability & Result Areas

Strategy and Planning

• Set priorities to ensure efficient invoicing and collection, including residual LBR mortgages.
• Ensure invoicing and collection comply with procedures, legal requirements, government guidance, LGO decisions and Council policies.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners.

Operations and Support

• Contribute and support colleagues to continuously improve performance.
• Review unpaid debts, proactively chase, refer outstanding queries to relevant managers and update the Team Leader.
• Assist Team Leader with preparation of case papers and technical evidence/advice for County Court cases.

Knowledge & Experience

Statutory or Mandatory Qualifications

No mandatory qualification required.

Key Subject or Content Areas (incl. Desirable Qualifications)

• Certificates of higher education; NVQ level 4; HND; BTEC professional; and equivalent qualifications or evidence of demonstrable application in practice.

Knowledge/Experience of Legislation and Systems

• Good knowledge of all homelessness legislation (Housing Act 1996 Part VII, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Housing Act 1996 Part VI, etc.).
• Welfare benefits expertise and knowledge of adult and children social care and health.
• Thorough understanding of inner‑city housing issues and benefits system entitlements.
• Understanding of local access to social housing and awareness of local authority housing initiatives.
• Good knowledge of relevant letting, Homelessness and Housing Act legislation, including private tenants’ rights.
• Knowledge of services and support available to applicants experiencing housing problems.

Skills & Abilities

• Experience providing an effective advice service to the public.
• Experience implementing an equality and diversity approach to service delivery.
• Experience working in a team and in a demanding frontline customer service environment.
• Experience working with vulnerable customers and providing appropriate support.
• Experience working with homeless customers and those in housing need.
• Experience carrying out interviews, investigations and negotiations.
• Experience working to performance targets and deadlines.

Core Behaviours

• Effective and collaborative team working.
• Takes responsibility for personal development and actively participates in learning and development.
• Participates in the ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of service plans.
• Supports and contributes to value for money, service efficiency and improvement.

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