Grants & Adaptations Support Officer
Location: Buckinghamshire
Overview
We are looking to recruit a positive, highly organised and customer-focused Grants & Adaptations Support Officer to provide administrative and clerical support to the Grants & Adaptations Team, supporting delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants and other assistance schemes to residents across the county.
The FTC/Secondment is until 31st May 2025.
About us
The role will be based in the Grants & Adaptations Team, part of the Housing Service, which is responsible for delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants and other housing grants and loans. We are a friendly and supportive team who strive to offer excellent services to our residents.
The wellbeing of our colleagues is very important to us and we encourage you to take control of your work-life balance and adopt a flexible approach where possible. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
About the role
This important and pivotal role includes supporting officers handling a very high case load of grant and loan applications.
The Grants & Adaptations Support Officer will:
- Respond to enquiries from residents, colleagues and external partners such as contractors and solicitors
- Assist with collating supporting documentation to confirm eligibility for a Disabled Facilities Grant
- Update and maintain specialist database systems, ensuring records are accurate and up to date
- Prepare letters and documentation, process payments and support officers with all the administrative functions of the grant process
The role will require you to learn about the Disabled Faciltiies Grant law and processes which will allow you to develop your skills in advising residents and get more involved in processing enquiries and applications.
The role will bring you into contact with a wide range of people and partners, including residents, building contractors, architects and Occupational Therapists and therefore your communication skills will be key to your success in the role.
This role is extremely rewarding as you will be making a positive difference to the lives of our residents.
Any-Desk:
As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.
About you
You will be experienced in providing administrative support to a busy and geographically dispersed team. A good standard of numeracy and literacy is required, and attention to detail is essential.
You will be a courteous and tactful communicator, having experience of dealing with vulnerable residents, and able to be assertive as well as sensitive to the sometimes difficult circumstances faced by our customers.
You will have good time management and IT skills, able to work on your own initiative and able to quickly learn new specialist IT systems.
Ideally, you will have an understanding of the Disabled Facilities Grant application process but this is not essential as full training will be provided.
Other information
For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.
Number of positions available: 1 FTE until 31st May 2025.
Closing date: 12th January 2025
Interview date: week commencing 20th January.
Interview-type / process: In person at The Gateway
For an informal chat about this role in more detail, please contact Rebecca Roberts on 01296 585357 or email [email protected].
You will be required to apply for a DBS at a basic level. Further information about the DBS Scheme can be found at GOV.UK
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions
For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
Our values and culture
We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
- a fair and inclusive culture
- the chance to really make a difference to those around you
- health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
- a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
- ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
- opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.
About the Business Unit
Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.
Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.
It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.
We recognise and reward you
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.
https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/
