We are working closely alongside with a local authority in Lewisham to assist with the appointment of a Review Officer on a 7.5-months contract, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: £18.10- £23.87 per hour

Summary:

The Review Officer (Sc5) is responsible for supporting the effective recovery of outstanding debts owed to Lewisham Council and contributing significantly to the maximisation of Council income. This is achieved by undertaking proactive and targeted contact campaigns across all Revenues streams, including Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments, and Sundry Debts. The role requires professional, accurate, and legislatively compliant interaction with clients through multiple channels (telephone, email, SMS, and letter) to negotiate, manage, and monitor repayment plans, ensuring a robust end-to-end recovery process.

Responsibilities:

• Minimise debt and maximise income by proactively contacting clients via telephone, email, SMS, and letters to pursue and recover outstanding debts in accordance with set processes.
• Negotiate and complete affordable repayment plans with debtors, actively monitor the ongoing collection of these plans, and process payments using the Councils online payment system.
• Identify appropriate cases for further statutory enforcement action, including preparing documentation for statutory demands, charging orders, and debt relief orders, ensuring the Line Manager is fully informed.
• Execute all duties in strict accordance with legislative requirements (including GDPR), the Divisions Service Plan, Council policies, financial procedures, and agreed timescales.
• Provide a high standard of service with commitment to customer care and equal opportunities, promoting the Councils Equal Opportunities Policies and Values.
• Contribute to the review of working processes and procedures as required and suggest remedial action to the manager where weaknesses in service delivery are identified.

Qualifications:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning, Law, or a related discipline.
  
• A Level or equivalent standard of education, with extensive relevant professional experience.

Essentials:

• Proven experience in a high-volume debt recovery or credit control environment, preferably within a local authority or similar public sector setting, across diverse revenue streams (Council Tax, Business Rates, Benefits Overpayments, Sundry Debts).
• Demonstrable experience in proactively engaging with clients using multi-channel contact methods (telephone, email, letter) to negotiate and secure repayment plans.
• Experience in accurate data input, record keeping, and maintaining a clear audit trail using case management systems.
• Experience in interpreting and applying legislative requirements and set procedures to complex or sensitive financial situations.
• Detailed knowledge of all relevant legislation and procedures related to debt recovery in Revenues and Benefits (e.g., Council Tax, Business Rates, and Housing Benefit Overpayments).
• Strong understanding and adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other personal responsibilities relating to data protection.

Please note:

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Incase the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

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