Client Finance Casework Officer

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council is seeking an empathetic and highly organised professional to manage Appointee and Deputyship cases for vulnerable adults who lack capacity to handle their own finances.

You will oversee income, benefits, bank accounts and assets, while liaising with DWP, OPG and care partners to achieve positive outcomes. A strong IT and record-keeping capability is essential.

Qualifications

• Has knowledge of Appointeeship and Deputyship responsibilities, including relevant legislation and guidance, and experience working with organisations such as the DWP, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) or Court of Protection, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Has experience, or transferable skills, in supporting vulnerable adults and managing financial matters such as banking arrangements, bill payments, debt solutions and financial administration.
• Understands welfare benefits, debt management and financial inclusion, with a commitment to helping people manage their finances in their best interests.
• Is highly organised and able to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and work independently using sound judgement.
• Has strong numerical, administrative and IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office, financial systems and case management databases.
• Can build positive relationships and communicate effectively with clients, families, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Works well both independently and as part of a team, and is willing to undertake home and bank visits when required.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of Appointee and Deputyship cases.
• Ensure people are receiving the correct income (including state pension, means tested and non means tested benefits)
• Oversee the management of people's bank accounts, complete transfer of personal accounts to deputy accounts, and review and manage assets including savings, and undertake financial inclusion work
• Liaise with a range of organisations including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), financial institutions, legal representatives and healthcare professionals.
• Maintain accurate records of income, expenditure and financial transactions.
• Prepare annual accounts and support statutory reporting requirements.
• Provide guidance and specialist advice to Adult Social Care teams on Appointeeship and Deputyship matters.
• Maintain accurate financial and client records using council systems.

Skills

Appointeeship

Deputyship

Financial management

Case management

Stakeholder liaison

Tools

Microsoft Office

Financial systems

Case management databases

Job description

The Client Finance Team supports vulnerable adults who are unable to manage their own financial affairs who have been assessed as lacking mental capacity. Acting as Appointees and Deputies, we help safeguard clients' income, assets and financial wellbeing, ensuring all decisions are made in their best interests. As part of the Money Advice Unit, we work collaboratively with Adult Social Care colleagues, healthcare professionals, legal services and external organisations to provide specialist financial support and guidance across Hertfordshire. This is an exciting time to join our growing team. You'll have the opportunity to develop expertise in Appointeeship, Deputyship and client financial management while making a meaningful difference to people's lives. We are a supportive and collaborative team, looking for empathetic individuals who want to help vulnerable adults remain independent and thrive within their communities. This role is one of a range of new roles being advertised within our Money Advice and Client Finance service at this exciting time of growth. Check out our website for other opportunities.

About the role

This is a rewarding role where you will be responsible for the management of Appointee and Deputyship cases for clients who lack the capacity to handle their own financial affairs, taking the case from when the Appointee or Deputy is confirmed and in place through to when a case is closed. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine financial management, casework and partnership working to achieve positive outcomes for vulnerable adults.,

• Managing a caseload of Appointee and Deputyship cases.
• Ensure people are receiving the correct income (including state pension, means tested and non means tested benefits)
• Oversee the management of people's bank accounts, complete transfer of personal accounts to deputy accounts, and review and manage assets including savings, and undertake financial inclusion work
• Liaise with a range of organisations including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), financial institutions, legal representatives and healthcare professionals.
• Maintain accurate records of income, expenditure and financial transactions.
• Preparing annual accounts and supporting statutory reporting requirements.
• Provide guidance and specialist advice to Adult Social Care teams on Appointeeship and Deputyship matters.
• Maintaining accurate financial and client records using council systems.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

Disability Confident

We are proud to be aDisability Confident employerand guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Essential

• Has knowledge of Appointeeship and Deputyship responsibilities, including relevant legislation and guidance, and experience working with organisations such as the DWP, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) or Court of Protection, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Has experience, or transferable skills, in supporting vulnerable adults and managing financial matters such as banking arrangements, bill payments, debt solutions and financial administration.
• Understands, or can quickly learn about, welfare benefits, debt management and financial inclusion, with a commitment to helping people manage their finances in their best interests.
• Is highly organised and able to manage a varied caseload, prioritise competing demands and work independently using sound judgement.
• Has strong numerical, administrative and IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office, financial systems and case management databases.
• Can build positive relationships and communicate effectively with clients, families, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Works well both independently and as part of a team, and is willing to undertake home and bank visits when required.