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Claire, User Property & Finance Officer
Hartlepool Borough Council

"On leaving school I started an apprenticeship in hairdressing, however I soon realised that this was not the career path I wanted to take. I applied for an apprenticeship with Hartlepool Borough Council and was successful.

After completing my apprenticeship, I worked at both Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council, before returning to Hartlepool, where I worked in clerical support. A secondment opportunity has given me the chance to progress to my current role as user property and finance officer.

My job involves assessing service users' contributions towards the care they are receiving and checking that service users are in receipt of all benefits that they are entitled to such as pension credit, housing and council tax benefit.

To get the job I needed knowledge of the benefits that are available, an understanding of the procedures and policies of the adult and community services department and to be able to assess rent and council tax benefit.

Sometimes dealing with difficult service users can be a challenge, but I really enjoy meeting people both professionally (colleagues) and those that require the department's services.

I've received a wide range of training whilst working for the council including customer care, communication and body language, data protection, vulnerable adults, disability and much more. I also received benefit assessing training when I was at Glasgow City Council.

In the future I hope to complete my social work degree."

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