Neighbourhood Advisor on Livelihood Security – Debt Counselling

This vacancy from Community Welfare Officer – Debt Counselling (28–36 hours) is your next step if you:

• wish to support residents in financial and social matters, based on trust and equality;
• draws energy from a holistic approach, which involves looking at all aspects of a resident’s life;
• are looking for a role in which you combine specialist debt counselling with coordinating and collaborating within the local community.

Here’s what you’ll be doing
As a neighbourhood advisor on livelihood security – debt counselling, you are the first point of contact for residents with financial queries or difficulties. You look beyond mere financial matters. You see the person behind the request for help and are mindful of everything that affects their livelihood: housing, health, parenting, work, relationships and mental well-being. It is precisely this broad perspective that makes your work meaningful.

You tailor your approach to the resident’s needs and circumstances, and understand the impact that prolonged stress and financial worries can have on a person. Together, you work out what steps are needed to restore a sense of control, peace of mind and a sense of direction. Sometimes this involves preventing a crisis, and sometimes it involves long-term support towards financial independence.

You’ll be based at Samen055, where professionals from various disciplines work together in neighbourhood teams. This means residents don’t have to keep repeating their story, and you can all respond quickly together when there are multiple requests for support. In practical terms, this means that you will:

• supports residents with financial queries and issues;
• provides general information on benefits, allowances and services;
• provides specialist debt advice under the Municipal Debt Advice Act (Wgs);
• It takes a holistic view of all areas of life and, together with the resident, determines what needs attention first;
• co-ordinates care when support is needed in several areas of life;
• works alongside colleagues with different specialisms within the neighbourhood team;
• conducts conversations with residents at home, in the neighbourhood or at Samen055’s premises;
• helps residents achieve greater financial independence;
• maintains contact with support workers, creditors and network partners.

What does a typical working day look like for a social security neighbourhood adviser?
In the morning, you check whether any new referrals have been received for the social security profile and allocate them together with your colleagues. You ring the resident or the referring party to arrange an initial meeting, which normally takes place at the resident’s home. You then cycle off to an initial meeting with a resident who has contacted you because their energy supply is at risk of being cut off. During the meeting, it becomes clear that they also need support with bringing up their children. After the consultation, you return to the Samen055 centre in the neighbourhood, where you turn the discussion into a comprehensive plan. First and foremost, you ensure that the energy disconnection is prevented.

You will also liaise with your colleague, the neighbourhood consultant for parenting and child development, regarding any support requests the resident may have in relation to parenting. During a follow-up meeting, you will discuss the resident’s financial situation in more detail and, together with the resident, draw up an action plan within the framework of the Municipal Debt Assistance Act (Wgs). As the resident has requested support across several areas of life, you will also take the lead in this case.

Early this afternoon, there is a regular appointment scheduled with a resident who has been in a debt settlement scheme for a year. You are holding this meeting to check how the resident is getting on, to discuss any changes to their financial and/or personal circumstances, and to offer guidance on helping them become financially independent. It emerges from the meeting that the resident wishes to stop budget management, so you have agreed to draw up a plan together with him and the budget manager to see how you can achieve this.

Following this meeting, a case conference is scheduled with your colleagues in the neighbourhood. During this case conference, it emerges that your colleague from the intensive support team is in contact with a resident who is homeless and facing financial difficulties. You decide that you will provide support to this resident in this area.

You round off your working day by updating your reports and making a few phone calls and sending some emails to residents, care workers, creditors and colleagues. This is how you ensure that progress on all cases remains on track.

Working for Samen055
From January 2024, we at Samen055 will be working with five neighbourhood teams. Each neighbourhood team consists of professionals with different areas of expertise: financial security, care and support, parenting and growing up, individual support, and intensive coordination. The neighbourhood consultant for financial security plays a key coordinating role within this structure. You will help residents to increase their financial self-reliance and provide support where necessary.

Our services are based on the following guiding principles:

• Residents are referred by the neighbourhood team and are always in the right place;
• Residents do not have to keep telling their story over and over again;
• In our discussions, we take all areas of life into account;
• Residents receive support that complements what they can achieve themselves through their network and what is available in the neighbourhood;
• We provide coordinated support and oversee the coordination of that support.

Here’s what we offer you

• A position offering a minimum of 28 and a maximum of 36 hours per week. Initially for one year, with the prospect of a permanent contract.
• A salary of at least €3,246 gross per month (entry-level scale 8) and up to €5,096 (functional scale 9) for a 36-hour working week. The actual salary depends on your experience and qualifications;
• An Individual Choice Budget (IKB) of 17,45% on top of your salary. You can use this, for example, for:
• Extra income by having it paid out
• Buying extra holiday hours.
• A good work-life balance, with the option to save up leave and flexible working hours;
• A focus on the opportunities we offer as an employer in the areas of learning and development, both in terms of professional skills and career progression;
• 201.6 holiday hours based on a 36-hour week;
• An attractive pension scheme;
• It’s a lovely setting, as our townhouse has been beautifully modernised and fitted out to support flexible working;
• Can you work (partly) from home in your role? If so, you will receive a home-working allowance;
• Do you travel to work by public transport? If so, you’ll be fully reimbursed. Do you travel by car, bike or on foot? If so, you’ll receive an allowance for this. 

Things to bring with you
You are someone who finds it easy to connect with people and put residents at ease, even in difficult situations. You listen carefully, ask probing questions and are quick to get to the heart of a situation. You also keep a clear overview, even when there are several requests for help at the same time.

You understand that lasting change takes time and know how to motivate residents to take steps forward. You are empathetic and people-focused, but you are also not afraid to be clear and take the lead when necessary. You are also flexible, enterprising and enjoy working with colleagues and network partners to provide residents with the best possible support.

In addition, you have:

• a completed higher professional education (HBO) degree, preferably in Social Work or Social Legal Services;
• knowledge of legislation and regulations, the social security system and financial provisions;
• experience in debt counselling;
• experience in conducting interviews and analysing complex situations;
• knowledge of behavioural change and psychological models.

Working for Apeldoorn
…means working for an open and ambitious organisation. With over 169,000 residents, we are the 12th largest municipality in the Netherlands. With nearly 2,000 colleagues, we are working to shape Apeldoorn today and tomorrow.

At Samen055, you’ll work in an environment where collaboration, trust and a sense of community are key. You’ll never be on your own. You’ll work closely with colleagues from various disciplines and can always bounce ideas off them regarding complex cases. At the same time, you’ll be given plenty of scope to work independently and take the lead on your cases. At Apeldoorn City Council, you’ll be working not only on the development of our residents, but also on your own. With plenty of opportunities for training and development, we’re a learning organisation. You won’t often find a closed door here; instead, you’ll find committed and helpful colleagues.

Fancy applying?
You can apply via the ‘Apply’ button until 25 September. Do you have any specific questions about the role? If so, please contact Marion Bijveld, Quality Officer, m.bijveld@apeldoorn.nl If you have any other questions, please contact Conny Casteel, Neighbourhood Team Manager, on 06 14 85 21 65. The interviews will take place on 5 and 7 October.

Fancy getting to know us first? Do pop in!

Are you interested in the role of neighbourhood consultant and would you like to get to know us and get a feel for the atmosphere? Then do pop in, with no obligation, during our Meet & Greet! We’d be happy to tell you more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in the neighbourhood. Of course, there’ll be plenty of opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

???? Dok Zuid Community Centre – 1e Wormenseweg 460, 7333 GZ Apeldoorn
???? 18 September | 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Would you like to join us? If so, please register by sending an email to j.vanravenhorst@apeldoorn.nl

We look forward to meeting you!

Everyone’s taking part
Apeldoorn City Council is an inclusive organisation. As well as your talents and qualities, you also bring your background and preferences with you. You are welcome here!