Team Leader (Lead Officer Financial Support and Inclusion)- Paton Street Galashiels

Job Details

Grade: 8A

Hourly Rate: £21.04 - £22.83

Salary: £38400.70 - £41667.44 per annum

Contract Duration: Permanent

Hours - 35

Please note Interviews will be held on the week commencing 30th November 2026.

Role Purpose

We are inviting applications for this permanent role of Lead Officer in our Financial Support & Inclusion Team. This is an opportunity to lead a specialist team delivering high quality financial inclusion services, including Discretionary Housing Payments, Scottish Welfare Fund assessment functions, outsourced advice provision and welfare benefits support.

The postholder will manage day-to-day operations, support policy and strategy development, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for customers across the Scottish Borders.

What you will be doing

• Lead and manage the Financial Inclusion Team, including Financial Support and Assessment Team Leader, Financial Inclusion Officers, Financial Inclusion Supervisors and Scottish Welfare Fund Assessors.

• Provide advice on financial inclusion, welfare benefits, Scottish Welfare Fund, Discretionary Housing Payments and related policy areas.

• Support performance management, quality assurance, service planning and continuous improvement across the team.

• Contribute to poverty reduction, welfare reform, benefits take-up and reducing inequalities work across the Council.

• Oversee complex casework, appeals and tribunal-related activity where required.

• Work with internal colleagues, contracted providers, partner agencies and external organisations to deliver effective and customer-focused services.

• Prepare reports, management information, briefings and presentations to support service delivery and decision-making.

• Promote a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.

About you

We’re looking for someone with experience in a welfare rights or financial inclusion environment, and with knowledge of, or ability to interpret and apply, social security and related law and practice. You will have demonstrable experience of managing staff and confident setting objectives, supporting performance, improving services and working collaboratively with colleagues and partners.

You should bring strong leadership, communication, organisational and customer service skills, along with the ability to manage a varied workload, respond positively to change and contribute to strategic and corporate priorities.

Why apply?

This role offers the chance to lead a committed team delivering services that make a practical difference to individuals, households and communities. You will help shape service improvement, support colleagues across the Council and contribute directly to work focused on tackling poverty and reducing inequalities.

Essential

HND level qualification or equivalent in a relevant area, or Demonstrable relevant experience

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Scott Stewart by telephone on 01835 828703 or by email at scott.stewart@scotborders.gov.uk.

Scottish Borders Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. In particular from candidates who assess themselves as having a disability, under the Disability Confident Employer scheme this guarantees an interview to those individuals who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.

Scottish Borders Council is committed to providing support for Armed Forces Veterans. Showing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the Council guarantees an interview to veterans who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.

Employability Support –The Employability Service - For support on completing job applications, Scottish Borders residents can access free support from our specialist Employability Team.

Please contact us via the switchboard 01835 824000 asking to be transferred to the Employability Service or email employability@scotborders.gov.uk You can also find more about the support we have to offer, by visiting our website for more information https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/help-finding-job/support-employment