Job title: Senior Finance Officer – Residential

Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152

Hours: 37 (Full Time)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House (Hybrid Working)

An exciting opportunity has become available within the Adult Operational Services Department. We are currently recruiting Finance Officers to join our Residential Financial Assessment Team on a permanent basis.

The Financial Assessments Team carry out financial assessments, for people receiving care and support in a residential care setting, to calculate the level of financial assistance they qualify for towards the costs of their care and support from Leeds City Council. The officers' role will involve investigating queries raised by individuals or their representatives regarding their care fees calculations in line with the Council’s charging policy and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations (2014).

The successful candidate will be involved in interrogating the Customer Information System on receipt of a query; liaising with internal colleagues and social workers in relation to any enquiries and disputes, to ensure that financial assessments are completed accurately, and service users are only required to contribute the amount they can afford to pay for their residential care fees.

Reporting to: Assistant Finance Manager and Senior Finance Manager.

You’ll be highly motivated, organised, with a keen eye for detail. Alongside this, you’ll ideally have lots of personal initiative, and enthusiasm, to take up this position.

Working with highly skilled and experienced colleagues, you’ll develop your own skill set further with regard to benefits knowledge, financial assessment in a Social Care setting.

Candidates must have a proven track record with regard to customer service; being an articulate and capable communicator both in writing and via telephone, alongside harnessing an empathetic approach.

This position is created against the backdrop of significant financial challenge for the authority, with greater need than ever to ensure that income is collected where it is due. To enable this, it’s imperative that processes and communications are continually reviewed and that we can achieve great, and consistent outcomes.

Applications are welcome from all internal candidates, particularly from individuals who have an excellent understanding of Adult Social Care, financial assessment and benefits.

Prior experience of financial assessments is not essential, since specific training will be provided.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Finance Officer, you will bring to the role:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with a strong customer service focus and clear report writing ability.
A high level of IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to input and analyse spreadsheet data.
Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
A collaborative mindset, willingness to learn, and a strong understanding of customer needs.
Self-motivation, strong organisational skills, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.

About the role

You will work in a busy operational finance department; your responsibilities will include:

completing financial assessments for individuals in a residential care setting and assessing the amount they contribute towards their care costs
completing Deferred Payment applications for residential care costs
Reviewing an individual's benefit entitlement, advising them of any benefits they are entitled to but aren’t currently claiming
dealing with individuals or their financial representatives to assist with their queries in relation to the financial assessments.

Ideally, you will have experience in a customer service environment, demonstrating patience and empathy. You’ll be comfortable dealing with clients’ representatives, support workers, and third parties sensitively, while ensuring compliance with Information Governance legislation.

You’ll also work with colleagues across the Council and external agencies, requiring:

The ability to interpret legislation and financial policies.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Initiative and independence in managing tasks to tight deadlines.
Proficiency in using various computerised systems.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work amid frequent interruptions.

You’ll be a critical thinker, motivated by making a difference, and a team player who works harmoniously with others to achieve shared goals.

Working Arrangements

The team operates a hybrid working model. You will be expected to work from Merrion House at least one day per week.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you would like an informal discussion, please contact

Nicholas Curtis, Senior Finance Manager (Nicholas.Curtis@Leeds.gov.uk– 0113 378 2050)

Katie Dyer, Assistant Financial Manager (Katie.Dyer@Leeds.gov.uk - 0113 378 5611)

Zoe Smith, Assistant Financial Manager (Zoe.Smith@Leeds.gov.uk – 0113 535 0038)

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To assist with the provision of a comprehensive financial support service to the Adult Operational Services team within the Adults & Health Directorate.

The Adult Operational Services team provides a number of services for Adult Social Care including financial assessments to ascertain qualifying financial assistance for care services, billing and debt management for assessed chargeable services, Deputyship and Estate Management and Audit of Direct Payment Agreements.

The overarching aim is to ensure a co-ordinated and consistent approach to the provision of Adult Operational Services (AOS) by:

Providing an efficient support service to senior managers, and staff within the AOS team
Providing a flexible service and and be reactive to priorities.
Providing timely financial information and support to officers/Social Workers, clients or their representatives, independent providers and outside agencies, as appropriate within information governance guidance, to enable them to make better informed decisions.
Aiming to maximise the council's financial resources within levels of acceptable risk.
Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.

Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

Training & support for new members of staff
Supervision of staff
Motivate staff to ensure reach individual potential through 1-2-1 and appraisals
Assistance with managing staff under the absence monitoring procedures
Recruitment and Selection for vacancies as they arise
Training and advice for colleagues and senior officers in the Directorate
Work as a team to ensure an effective and efficient service is provided ensuring information governance rules are adhered to at all times in the interest of the client.
To ensure the promotion of the service and present a good image of the service and the Authority
Ensure that the team email account and team phone messaging system is managed with issues being responded to appropriately and timely.
Quality Assurance checks in line with service requirements
Liaison and guidance to clients (or their representatives) external organisations, colleagues, budget holders and senior officers, requiring well developed communcation skills, ensuring a sensitive manner at all times in relation to financial issues for Adult & Health purposes in line with current legislation and policies.
Dealing appropriately with complex issues of a financial nature
Liaison with Legal Service for advice on legislative issues where necessary
Reporting potential fraud or safeguarding concerns promptly
Ensuring maximisation of Benefits for clients and prompt communication of any changes in circumstances to other teams in AOS (if client receiving a chargeable social care service) to maximise income
Ensuring the integrity of databases and record management systems are maintainded including accurately and timely recording of information and any issues are recorded appropriately in casenotes.
Using computer systems to analyse and collate data and use it to produce reports, adding value to financial data.
Assisting with year end procedures in line with service requirements.
Produce performance related management information.
Provide Statement of Truth document for Legal Services and occasional attendance in Court to give evidence as witness - when applicable.
Take appropriate action where depravation of assets has been identified for a client.
Investigate and respond to appeals and complaints from clients, their representatives or external organisation where required.
Investigate and respond to queries from Senior Managers and Members as appropriate.
Meeting clients or their representatives where appropriate.
Work effectively as a team member, supporting colleagues with workloads as appropriate
Use your own initiative to adhere to sometimes conflicting deadlines and be reactive to service priorities.
To be a proactive member of the team, identifying areas for improvement and efficient use of resources in a constructive manner.
Assistance with implementation of developments and be a member of a project boards as appropriate.
Assistance with implementation of legislative and policy changes.
To ensure procedures and best practice are documented and reviewed regularly.
To assist in ensuring publicised information is relevant and up to date.
Take responsibility for own development and performance within the role.
Deputise at relevant meetings and assisting with ad-hoc supervision issues as may arise to cover short term absences of Senior Managers within Adult Operational Services.

Team Specific Responsibilities

This post will be specific to the Residential Financial Assessment Team and the Debt Team; with the following specific responsibilities;

Ensuring referrals for residential financial assessments are recorded correctly and monitored timely for evidence gathering processes.
Undertake financial assessment in line with legislation for residential placements through the referral process and make informed financial decisions.
Ensure annual financial assessment reviews, significant birthday reviews and working age adults uplifts are carried out appropriately
To be responsible for maintaining contact with clients and/or their reps and social workers for allocated cases until financial assessment is completed.
Review evidence available, verify where appropriate and undertake financial assessment and ensure maximising on welfare benefits and any other financial assistance.
Access to appropriate information systems for the purposes of a financial assessment eg DWP, Land Registry
Ensure assessment is evidenced, documented and recorded appropriately and timely
Advising Care Homes promptly following assessment where ascertained that client is self funding.
To ensure records are updated in a timely manner in respect of ceased packages.
Challenging clients or their reps with potential divestment cases, in line with Statutory Guidance, seeking legal opinion where appropriate, reporting decisions to AFM where controversial. Writing to clients/reps with reasons for decisions.
Review financial assessments undertaken by Finance Officers as appropriate.
Ensure loan style agreements (as per legislation and Adult & Health procedures) are documented, evidenced and reported appropriately and system updated appropriately to ensure fees are paid accordingly, this will include liaison with Legal Services.
Ensure amendments to and set up of Care Home details are completed where requested.
Calculation and input of system adjustments (and/or off system payments) in coordination with colleagues and Senior Managers in line with legislation and system limitations.
To assist with reconciliations of off system payments.
Assistance with defaulted client contribution procedures including liaising with Care Home, FQT and Debt Recovery teams as appropriate
Assistance with system accounts accept checks for residential care fees to be paid

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the service may require the job holder to undertake duties commensurate with the level of the role. The Council has adopted a flexible protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters

Qualifications

Holds a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent or expects to gain a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent in results due.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills required

Be able to train, supervise and manage staff
Be able to explain financial tasks to a team of staff
Ability to use a computerised system to accurately input, update and interrogate client information.
Well developed interpersonal and communication skills using a variety of media.
Be able to deal effectively with stressful and sometimes aggressive clients or their representatives
Ability to work on own initiative to make decisions.
Ability to achieve team deadlines
Ability to pass, and receive information accurately and securely.
Ability to prioritise own workloads and that of others with frequent interruptions.
Able to produce high quality work
Be able to undertake complex financial analysis in response to queries
Be able to work flexibly and as part of a team to achieve service priorities
Be able to communicate confidently and effectively with clients or their representatives, service professionals, outside agencies and government departments
Be able to interpret appropriate legislation, policies and guidance and apply them to team objectives
Be able to advise clients and colleagues on financial issues, including those issues relating to current policy or legislation and carry out training sessions
Be able to review and implement service developments
Be able to deputise at relevant meetings and assisting with ad-hoc supervision issues as may arise to cover short term absences of Senior Managers within the Service.

Knowledge required

Knowledge of applications, systems and IT programmes utilised by the service
Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations and an understanding of personal
accountability
Knowledge of decision making processes within the Council
An awareness of services available within Adults & Health
An awareness of local policies and current legislation applicable to chargeable services for Adults and Health services Knowledge of welfare benefits available Knowledge of the Council Values

Experience required

Experience of staff supervision and management
Experience of training colleagues
Experience of prioritising workloads within a team to meet deadlines
Experience of using one’s own initiative.
Experience of working within a team where flexibility of response is required.
Experience of communicating with a variety of individuals using a range of media including
telephone, individual meetings, emails and letters.
Experience of dealing positively with challenging situations, either face to face or by phone.
Experience of being pro-active in identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
Experience of introducing service developments
Experience of producing reports for management/performance information

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters