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YMCA Brighton is seeking to hire a Finance Support Worker

• Based: George Williams Mews, Brighton, East Sussex
• Salary: £28,225.60 per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Position: Full-Time - Monday - Friday 40 hours per week
• Annual Leave Entitlements: 25 days plus Bank Holidays

You will receive:

Comprehensive Induction into the role
Comprehensive Training package – face-to-face and online training on a wide range of subjects, to ensure you are equipped with the skills and knowledge to carry out your duties and tasks required and further develop your career.
You will receive regular Supervision Support from your Line Manager.
Work in a supportive environment.
An encouraged culture to support staff health & well-being and a healthy work-life balance.
Opportunity to access debriefs, counselling and reflective practice sessions when the job is challenging.
Staff benefits from a wide range of health & well-being services.
Annual Leave Entitlement 25 days plus Bank Holidays pro rata.
Well-being time per week.
We are a National Living Wage Employer.
This position is based in Brighton, East Sussex.

Overview of the Role
The Finance Support Worker plays a key role in helping residents of supported housing develop the financial skills, knowledge and confidence needed to sustain their tenancy and live independently. The post holder provides practical advice, guidance and support on budgeting, income maximisation, welfare benefits, debt management and financial wellbeing, working alongside residents to reduce financial hardship and promote long-term financial stability.

The role involves building positive, trusting relationships with residents, carrying out financial assessments, developing personalised support plans and liaising with internal and external agencies to ensure residents have access to appropriate financial assistance and resources. The Finance Support Worker contributes to tenancy sustainment, reduces the risk of rent arrears and homelessness, and supports organisational objectives relating to resident independence and wellbeing.

You’ll be based at of one of our most vibrant supported housing communities on the site of the George Williams Centre. Accommodating over 90 residents across shared houses, self-contained flats, and accessible units, George Williams is a bustling, 24-hour gender-inclusive project dedicated to helping individuals build resilience, recover, and regain independence.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Administration and Rent Management

• Complete all weekly financial administration and submit required documentation to the Finance Officer within agreed timescales.
• Attend relevant finance meetings and contribute to discussions regarding resident accounts, income collection, and arrears management.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of Finance and management team regarding rent arrears performance, actions taken, and outcomes achieved.
• Monitor resident rent accounts and identify arrears, payment issues, or discrepancies, escalating concerns and working proactively to resolve them.
• Collect rent and service charge payments from residents, issue receipts, maintain accurate records, and ensure all monies are securely handled and banked in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Develop and monitor repayment plans with residents to address arrears and support tenancy sustainment.
• Liaise with Housing Benefit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Third Party Deductions teams, and other relevant agencies regarding resident accounts and payment arrangements.
• Notify relevant agencies of any changes to accommodation charges, service charges, or tenancy circumstances that may affect benefit entitlement.
• Investigate and resolve Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, and Third Party Deduction anomalies, suspensions, cancellations, or payment delays.

Resident Financial Support

• Support residents to maximise their income by assisting with applications for Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, health-related benefits, grants, and other welfare entitlements.
• Meet with residents to complete benefit claim forms and gather supporting documentation, ensuring applications are submitted accurately and promptly.
• Assist residents in obtaining identification documents and other evidence required to access services, benefits, and housing-related support.
• Provide practical budgeting and financial guidance to help residents manage their finances effectively and maintain their tenancy.

Resident Administration and Housing Support

• Complete all admission documentation for new residents on the day of arrival and ensure relevant referrals, benefit applications, and payment arrangements are established promptly.
• Complete all departure and move-on administration, including notifying relevant agencies and ensuring benefit and taxation records are updated or closed as required.
• Maintain accurate resident records using organisational databases and case management systems.
• Input data and statutory returns into relevant government systems, including CORE reporting requirements where applicable.
• Manage the issue, return, and recording of accommodation keys in line with organisational procedures.
• Provide administrative support to housing and support staff to ensure accurate and up-to-date resident records.

Partnership Working

• Build effective working relationships with internal teams, local authorities, benefit agencies, and other partner organisations to support positive resident outcomes.
• Respond professionally and promptly to enquiries from residents, colleagues, and external agencies regarding financial and tenancy-related matters.

Compliance and Professional Responsibilities

• Work in accordance with YMCA Brighton policies, procedures, and values at all times.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and organisational requirements relating to data protection, confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and information governance.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding resident, volunteer, and staff information.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk, reporting concerns in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and performance reviews.
• Complete all mandatory and role-specific training, including both face-to-face and online learning requirements.
• Cooperate with internal and external audit processes and provide information as required.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and nature of the role as reasonably requested by management.

Personal Specification

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential

• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.
• Awareness of appropriate boundaries within professional relationships and the ability to maintain these at all times.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the needs and challenges faced by people who are homeless, vulnerably housed, or experiencing multiple disadvantages.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits, welfare reform and the impact these can have on individuals moving towards employment, training or independent living.
• Basic understanding of financial processes and a willingness to learn and use rent management and case management systems.
• Awareness of housing, mental health, social care and community support services and how these contribute to positive outcomes for residents.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of providing advice, guidance, advocacy or support to individuals.
• Experience of developing, implementing or contributing to person-centred support plans.
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, including external agencies and professionals.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a housing, supported housing, residential care, homelessness or community support setting.
• Experience of supporting individuals with welfare benefits, income maximisation, debt management or financial inclusion issues.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and accurate records, reports and correspondence.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with residents, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently using own initiative, while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Competent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office applications, or a willingness to develop these skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging, pressured or sensitive situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify practical solutions for residents' needs.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and work to a high level of attention to detail.

Personal Qualities and Other Requirements
Essential

• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Commitment to empowering residents to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to sustain their tenancy and achieve their goals.
• A person-centred, empathetic and non-judgemental approach.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, training and professional development.
• Ability to seek guidance and support when required while taking responsibility for own workload.
• Ability to work safely in accordance with lone working procedures and organisational policies.
• Flexible approach to work and willingness to undertake duties appropriate to the role.
• Ability to prioritise tasks effectively and work consistently to agreed deadlines.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This specification reflects YMCA Brighton's commitment to providing high-quality, resident-focused support that promotes financial wellbeing, tenancy sustainment and independent living.

Other Requirements

Understanding of, and commitment to, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.
Commitment to empowering and supporting clients to develop skills for independence.
Commitment to training and personal development.
Ability to work on own initiative, as well as seeking input and support from the Line Manager.
Adhering to lone working procedures as well as working as part of a team.
Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

If you think this is for you, we would love to hear from you - by clicking on the Apply button by the Closing Date Midnight on Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Interviews will be held within 14 days of the closing date.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in this opportunity. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Employment with YMCA Brighton is conditional on a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, a minimum of 2 satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

We are an equal opportunities employer who constantly strive to be representative of the communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives and talents that people bring from a variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences, and we recognise the added value that diversity continually brings to the organisation.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £28,225.60 per year

Benefits:

• Referral programme

Work Location: In person