Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people.
Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making.
At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.
Job details
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen within the Community Team to work alongside the Resident Advice and Information Team (RAIT) to conduct a full and thorough review of the service that they deliver and implement the identified changes.
During the pandemic, the RAIT was introduced to support residents who were deemed to be Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. What the team quickly established was that the residents that fell into this category already had the help and support that they needed, it was residents who were not known to the council or partner agencies who were most in need, effectively they were the 'hidden vulnerable'.
Recognising the high numbers of residents who needed help with debt, accessing food, bereavement, physical or mental health issues, worklessness or housing issues, the team changed their focus and were able to assist multiple residents who were at risk of or experiencing crisis.
Recognising the significant benefits that the team has and can continue to have; short-term funding has been secured to grow capacity within the team as well as recruit a Service Design Lead.
About the role
We know that what the RAIT offers our residents is invaluable, but we also know that we could do more. As the Service Design Lead, you will be responsible for carrying out a full review of the RAIT and designing and implementing new ways of working to ensure that both internal and external services are part of the offer and are actively involved in the pathways that are available.
You will be key in implementing a new case management system that will ensure that the team operates efficiently as well as ensuring that clear performance management arrangements are in place enabling data and reports to be provided on request.
The role will be instrumental in raising awareness of the services that are offered by the team and in turn, increasing referrals into the offers that are available. Ultimately, we know that many residents are experiencing a crisis or are at risk of crisis and by ensuring earlier engagement through the RAIT, many escalations can be prevented.
The role therefore will ensure early identification of those that need help and ensure that they are actively targeted and engaged. Working alongside other offers such as CAB, you will ensure that any new ways of working avoid duplication and reduce the need for residents to tell their stories multiple times.
You will ensure that residents are also able to self-help by developing and implementing materials that are easily accessible for all as well as bettering the content that is currently available on our web pages.
Priority One within our Corporate Plan is 'to improve the quality of life for local people' including helping residents in and preventing crisis. The work of the RAIT and the introduction of the Service Design Officer and what they will achieve is paramount in enabling the council to tackle this priority and achieve their objective.
About you
A highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who can work alone as well as a part of a variety of teams, agencies, and organisations. You will be passionate about the subject matter and genuinely want to make a difference for our residents.
A good listener who can negotiate as well as challenge confidently, backed up by examples and evidence and can compromise. A forward thinker who understands the landscape and the pressures that support and advice services face and recognises the dynamic change that is needed to ensure that our residents can find and access the help and support that they need and in turn avoid an escalation in their situation.
Recognise the value of prevention and how we influence future generations to be prepared for and can be self-starters from an early age enabling them to live happy, healthy, and successful lives within our District.
View the job description [PDF, 0.2MB].
Apply
The closing date is 9am 29 July 2024. However, this is a rolling campaign and we'll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. We will close the advert early should we receive suitable applications, so please don't delay in applying!
For many of our roles (and where it is possible) we are currently working remotely and anticipate in the future returning to a hybrid office model on a flexible basis. This will still include work-from-home and flexi-time opportunities in order to provide a good work-life balance whilst still ensuring that teams benefit from in-person interaction. Candidates should therefore be within commutable distance of our offices in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire or able to attend meetings as required if further afield.
Should you have any additional questions regarding submitting an application, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@huntingdonshire.gov.uk.
Please note that the official closing date is as above, and will be the correct date. Some third-party websites may have different dates. Please refer to the HDC website for the official closing date to ensure you do not miss out on applying.
Working for the council
As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee-led environment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.
View our benefits.