Job Introduction
We’re seeking an enthusiastic person with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our small and friendly Client Funds Team as Client Funds Officer.
The team manage the finances of vulnerable adults who do not have the capacity to do so themselves. We work closely with support workers and social workers to ensure our clients income is correct and their bills are paid in a timely manner.
This is a brilliant opportunity for somebody to put their investigating mind to a challenge, build relationships with colleagues across the city council, colleagues from other local authorities and government departments, and other external partners to safeguard local vulnerable adults.
A DBS is required as we visit our clients.
Interviews for this role will be held week commencing 9 September.
Main Responsibility
- Undertake day-to-day management of service users’ affairs as required and in line with current legislation and the stated policies of the organisations involved.
- Work closely with the Senior Client Funds Officers and the Team Leader, keeping them informed of service user, staff, process, system or performance issues and take responsibility for resolving issues or recommending options for resolving them as appropriate.
- Manage own workload, take responsibility for ensuring that efficient, accurate and timely end-to-end processes are in place and are being utilised effectively, processing information accurately and in a timely manner.
- Ensure operational service priorities are met and customer and audit requirements are adhered to through effective workflow management.
- Respond to and resolve service requests and queries within the agreed service standard and according to operational procedures.
- Provide recommendations to the Team Leader on areas of the service where improvements could be made and make recommendations to improve processes and efficiency.
- Embed customer service excellence within the team by contributing to the design of customer focussed processes, active participation in one-to-one meetings / the Appraisal process and own behaviours.
- Support system implementations including conducting system testing on new systems.
The Ideal Candidate
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Business & Administration or Finance or significant experience gained in a similar or related service.
- Excellent IT skills with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- In depth knowledge of Welfare Benefits processes / Mental Capacity Act 2005 / the MCA code of practice / Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian procedures and regulations.
- For this role you are required to have a full UK driving licence and provide evidence of your vehicle insurance with Business cover and use of a vehicle. If you are successful, you will be required to supply evidence of your licence prior to starting the role, to visit service users where appropriate.
- Ability to gather financial and non-financial information related to Appointeeship and deputyship service users to support the production of management information reports and present information relating to a service users activities.
- Ability to manage and prioritise your own workload in line with service requirements and deadlines.
- Experience of working with vulnerable service users, their carers and / or advocates.
- Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a wider range of colleagues, internal and external service users to deliver the service.
- Ability to communicate with and influence people whilst demonstrating empathy, diplomacy and understanding of their care and disability needs.
- Proven customer service background with experience of conflict resolution, negotiation and diplomacy skills.
- Ability to understand and interpret national legislation, policies and guidance to ensure processes are compliant with national requirements.
- Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
