Client Affairs Officer

Suffolk County Council; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is hiring a Client Affairs Officer in the Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS) to support vulnerable adults with financial wellbeing. The role involves managing appointeeship/deputyship duties, budgeting, and ensuring safe financial practices.

You will collaborate with social workers and partners, process payments and maintain records using digital systems, while upholding data protection and safeguarding standards.

Qualifications

• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of Adult Social Care and the needs of vulnerable adults.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines.
• Experience using digital systems, databases and spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals who are unable to manage their own financial affairs within the Corporate appointeeship and Court of Protection deputyship service.
• Manage a diverse caseload and act in the best interests of the people supported; administer benefits and oversee income/expenditure.
• Process payments, invoices and financial declarations; maintain accurate records across digital systems and databases.
• Assist with Court of Protection applications, annual returns and statutory visits where required.
• Collaborate with social workers, families, support providers and partner organisations to resolve issues and safeguard customers.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Time-management

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheets

Financial software

Job description

Suffolk County Council

Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5PB - Hybrid

Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract: Permanent

Positions available:

• Post 1: 37 hours per week
• Post 2: 26 hours per week

At Suffolk County Council, every role is an opportunity to make a real difference.

As a Client Affairs Officer within our Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS), you will play an important role in supporting some of Suffolk's most vulnerable residents to manage their finances safely, securely and with dignity. Using your financial expertise, organisational skills and compassion, you'll help protect people's financial wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

Your role and responsibilities

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults across Suffolk. As part of our Client Affairs team, you will support individuals who are unable to manage their own financial affairs, helping to safeguard their finances and ensure they can access the support and services they need.

Working within Suffolk County Council's corporate appointeeship and Court of Protection deputyship service, you'll be responsible for managing a diverse caseload and acting in the best interests of the people you support. This includes administering benefits, managing income and expenditure, overseeing banking arrangements and ensuring financial obligations are met. You'll also support Court of Protection applications, complete annual returns and undertake statutory visits where required.

Using your financial knowledge and problem-solving skills, you will help customers maintain financial stability through budgeting, debt management and careful financial planning. You will process payments and invoices, complete financial declarations relating to Adult Social Care services, and maintain accurate records using a range of digital systems and databases.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will work closely with social workers, families, support providers, landlords, utility companies and other partner organisations to resolve issues, manage risk and achieve the best possible outcomes for customers. You will also identify and respond appropriately to financial risks, discrepancies and safeguarding concerns, while contributing to service improvements and helping the team deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service.

You will need

We are looking for someone who is organised, compassionate and committed to making a positive difference. You will be confident managing financial information, building relationships and delivering excellent customer service.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• an understanding of Adult Social Care and the needs of vulnerable adults
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• the ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines
• good organisational skills and attention to detail
• experience using digital systems, databases and spreadsheets
• sound judgement, with an understanding of risk management, confidentiality and data protection
• a collaborative approach and commitment to achieving positive outcomes.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

The team

The Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS) sits within Adult Social Care and helps residents maximise their income, manage their finances and access the support they need. Our service provides financial assessments, direct payment support, debt recovery, deferred payment arrangements and specialist financial advice for vulnerable adults across Suffolk.

Within Client Affairs, we support people whose financial affairs are managed through DWP appointeeships and Court of Protection deputyships. Our work has a direct and lasting impact, helping to ensure people remain financially secure, protected and able to access the services they need.

You will join a supportive and knowledgeable team that values collaboration, continuous learning and innovation. We embrace flexible working and encourage everyone to share ideas that help us continually improve the services we provide to Suffolk residents.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Sharon Thompson for an informal conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263920 or emailing [e-mail]

Closing date

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 20 September 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid