Direct Payments Monitoring Officer

Permanent, Full Time

£27,869 to £32,787 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

ECC Adult Social Care is making a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care support, to a model with four key principles: prevention, early intervention, enablement and safeguarding. Enabling people, to live independently and allowing a positive response to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of ECC.

All adults assessed as meeting the requirements of care and support under the Care Act 2014 have the option to receive funds in lieu of services.

You will be responsible for financially monitoring and reconciling accounts and service user returns of direct payment recipients to ensure funds are being used appropriately. Ultimately, ensuring direct payments are being used to ensure service users are receiving the best care for them. You will be one of the advocates for service users flagging any concerns about the way that funds are utilised by providing accurate, relevant and timely information to support operational control. You will play an integral role in helping prevent potential financial abuse and fraud.

Accountabilities

Communicate and plan statutory financial reviews of all direct payments as set out in the Care Act 2014, translate to regulation to direct payment recipients and others.
Monitor individual direct payment accounts to review direct payment usage and ensure spend complies with support plans and agreed outcomes. Resolve discrepancies, inappropriate usage and identify potential fraud in the utilisation of the direct payment by liaising with appropriate services. Set review timetable based on risk assessment in conjunction with Adult Social Care.
Identify any issues/problems in the direct payment process, and where required, work with the appropriate services to support the delivery of necessary improvements in practice and process.
Adhere to the requirements of National Direct Payment statutory guidance together with any Essex County Council statutory requirements.
Ensure all direct payment monitoring records are accurate, complete and well maintained for each individual in the appropriate systems and stored securely in line with the Council’s and the department’s relevant policies and procedures.
Responsible for communicating and providing advice and support to direct payment recipients and others as appropriate.
Work collaboratively with the wider Adult Social Care function and finance to ensure budget recovery and savings exercises are progressed to maximise delivery and commissioning opportunities.

The Experience You Will Bring

Experience within a social care setting an NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent is desirable.
Experience of communication (including face to face) and undertaking direct work with adults.
Proven track record of building working relationships with adults, partner organisations and external agencies
Proven extensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes, particularly Outlook and Excel with excellent numeracy skills.
Knowledge of Mosaic and A4W would be an advantage.
Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
Evidence of experience in monitoring and coordinating budgetary and financial information
Be self-motivated, with the ability to work to strict deadlines with minimal supervision and maintain a high degree of accuracy at all times.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

To read more about us please visit: Adult Social Care

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle,or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email christine.simmons@essex.gov.uk

Downloads

Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours