Guidance

LA Welfare Direct 7/2024 lite

Updated 7 October 2024

Contact

Queries about the:

• technical content of this bulletin, contact details are given at the end of each article
• general content and distribution of this bulletin, contact lawelfare.correspondence@dwp.gov.uk

Who should read

All Housing Benefit staff

Action

For information

Secondment opportunities in Housing Policy Division

1. There is an exciting opportunity to join the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP’s) Housing Policy Division (HPD) on secondment. HPD is responsible for housing support for renters and homeowners through the maintenance and development of policy for Housing Benefit (HB), housing support within Universal Credit (UC) as well as Support for Mortgage Interest. When combined, these policies account for almost £30 billion of government spending per year.

2. Our work involves developing, designing and implementing new policy initiatives as well as maintaining and improving existing policies.

3. The remit of both HB and UC are unique amongst the income-related benefits in that they support recipients who are in work as well as those who are out of work, those of working age as well as pensioners.

4. Effective collaboration with local authorities (LAs) underpins successful housing policy and, as such, we value the expertise and knowledge that LA HB experts can bring to the team. We are looking for secondees who are eager to bring their insight, skills and knowledge, from working on the front line in the housing sector, to our national team. Your experience will be invaluable as we provide support to DWP Ministers to deliver their ambitious agenda.

5. We are pleased to be able to offer two roles for housing policy officers in the division.

The supported housing/temporary accommodation team

6. Supported housing provides a vital service for some of the most vulnerable people in society; providing care, support or supervision to help them live as independently as possible in the community. For those on low incomes, financial support with housing costs is usually met through HB. The team is responsible for developing future policy for HB in relation to supported housing and temporary accommodation as well as maintaining existing policies.

7. The role will primarily involve working collaboratively with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, wider government, LAs and supported housing providers to implement policy measures, associated with the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

HB and housing support in UC

8. The team is responsible for the review and reform of policy including delivering consequential changes to HB regulations.

9. The role will involve working on a mixture of high-profile policies and includes liaising with internal and external delivery partners on cross cutting work, utilising skills to respond to policy queries and drafting high quality replies to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests, which will need to be replied to in tight timeframes to ensure compliance with Parliamentary standards.

10. If you would like more information on the posts contact marie.savage@dwp.gov.uk for the supported housing/temporary accommodation team role and george.beresford@dwp.gov.uk for the HB and housing support in UC role.

Personal requirements

11. Candidates should possess the following:

• strong communication skills - drafting, presentation and influencing skill
• experience of building positive working relationships with a range of colleagues and stakeholders– including external stakeholders and senior managers
• good knowledge of HB regulations and procedures and/or supported housing is essential – must also have an interest in housing
• ability to work under pressure and rapidly develop new skills, knowledge and understanding to deliver results in a complex environment
• ability to work independently with enthusiasm and creativity and be self-motivated
• ability to deliver work at pace and with successful, quantifiable outcomes

12. Both roles will give excellent exposure to high-profile policy making and contact with senior civil servants and Ministers at both DWP and across other government departments. It involves working at pace and will give the secondee the opportunity to help formulate policy and shape future housing strategy.

13. All secondees who come into the Civil Service are required to observe The Civil Service code. Secondees are also subject to the requirements of the Official Secrets Act, and the department’s rules, policies and procedures relating to conduct and standards, including confidentiality and security. This will also apply after the secondment has ended, in relation to any continuing obligations (including an ongoing duty of confidentiality).

14. There is an in-house learning offer covering a range of topics to support those who are new to policy. Less formal learning opportunities will also be available through divisional teach-ins, mentoring/peer support. Policy Group offers regular and varied learning opportunities to promote an environment of continuous improvement and personal development.

15. The secondment is offered for an initial period of 12 months, which will be extended by a further 12 months if all parties (the individual, their LA and DWP) are happy to do so. The post is offered on a full-time basis but we are prepared to offer some flexibility to secure the right candidate. Currently, DWP operate a hybrid working pattern and the policy teams operate out of one of our three policy ‘hubs’ (Sheffield, Leeds, London). However, as a secondee you would not be subject to either the hybrid or hub policies and you would be able to work flexibly.

16. On completion of the secondment the secondee will return to their employer having gained a broader understanding of the policy and legislative processes in central government.

17. The arrangement will be supported by a secondment agreement. A secondee will remain covered by the terms and conditions of their employer; this includes for holiday, sickness absence and other leave. The secondee will remain on their employer’s pay roll which would be reimbursed on submission of a valid invoice.

18. Neither travelling expenses nor a move at public expense can be considered.

19. If you are keen to undertake this one of these roles and are at SO1/SO2/PO1/PO2 (roughly equates to Civil Service HEO/SEO grades) please:

• check with your LA that you could be released, and then
• send your CV to both the email addresses given in above, by 5pm on Tuesday 30 July 2024.

20. Please note: only one application is required for both roles but if you have a preference of roles, please make that clear when you apply.

HB Debt Recovery: Frequently asked questions 

  21. Following the HB overpayment debt workshops and the Payment Deduction Programme (PDP) reconciliation closure all local authority call, the Performance Development Team has produced Housing Benefit Debt Recovery: Frequently asked questions. 

  22. This document is available on Glasscubes and can be found in the PDP Information folder ‘General Guidance and Updates’.

Housing Benefit subsidy guidance manual 2023 to 2024

23. The HB subsidy guidance manual 20232 to 2024 has been published on www.gov.uk.

24. If you have any questions regarding the content of this guidance, send an email to lawelfare.lapaymentsandsubsidy@dwp.gov.uk