Direct Payment Advisors

Oxfordshire County Council; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking two Direct Payment Advisors to join the Direct Payment Advice Team within Adult Social Care. One permanent and one fixed-term position are available to provide information, advice and guidance to adults and parents of children with identified social care or health needs.

You will help people understand Direct Payments, set them up, and support caregivers and Personal Assistants, while ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Care Act 2014
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Knowledge of Health Direct Payment Regulations
• Understanding employer responsibilities incl. HMRC, tax and National Insurance
• Understanding statutory pension requirements

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice and support to Direct Payment recipients, their carers and families.
• Respond to queries effectively and in a timely manner.
• Support the timely and accurate set-up of Direct Payments.
• Provide ongoing advice to people managing their Direct Payment.
• Help people understand responsibilities when employing a Personal Assistant.
• Collaborate with social care colleagues and external partners to promote Direct Payments.
• Provide accurate, clear and accessible information.
• Ensure Direct Payments are administered in line with legislation and council policies.

Skills

Direct Payment guidance

Customer service

Communication skills

Organisation

Interpersonal skills

Ability to explain complex information

Job description

We are looking for two Direct Payment Advisors to join our friendly and knowledgeable Direct Payment Advice Team. We have one permanent position and one fixed-term position available until 31 March 2027. You will provide information, advice and guidance to adults and parents of children with identified social care or health needs, supporting them to understand and manage their Direct Payments and use them to meet their assessed care and support needs. The role is varied and customer focused. You will:

• Provide high-quality advice and support to Direct Payment recipients, their carers and families.
• Respond to queries effectively and in a timely manner.
• Support the timely and accurate set-up of Direct Payments.
• Provide ongoing advice to people managing their Direct Payment.
• Help people understand their responsibilities when using a Direct Payment, including where they choose to employ a Personal Assistant.
• Work collaboratively with social care colleagues and external partners to promote and support the use of Direct Payments.
• Provide accurate, clear and accessible information.
• Ensure Direct Payments are administered in line with relevant legislation, Oxfordshire County Council policies and procedures.

You will have the opportunity to build positive working relationships with the people we support and help them exercise greater choice, flexibility and control over their care and support.

We are looking for someone who is organised, approachable and confident communicating with a wide range of people. You will have excellent customer service and interpersonal skills and be able to explain sometimes complex information in a clear and accessible way. You will be able to manage your own workload, respond to competing priorities and work both independently and as part of a supportive team.

Ideally, you will have knowledge or an understanding of relevant areas including:

• the Care Act 2014;
• the Mental Capacity Act 2005;
• Health Direct Payment Regulations;
• employer responsibilities, including HMRC, tax and National Insurance requirements; and
• statutory pension requirements.

As the role involves travel across Oxfordshire, you must hold a full driving licence, have access to a vehicle and have appropriate business-use insurance. You do not need to know everything about Direct Payments on day one. We are looking for someone with strong transferable skills, an ability to learn and a genuine commitment to supporting people to have greater choice and control over their care and support.

The Direct Payment Advice Team sits within Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council and supports adults, children and families across Oxfordshire to access and manage Direct Payments. Direct Payments give people greater choice and control over how their assessed care and support needs are met. Our team provides specialist information, advice and guidance to help people understand their options and manage their Direct Payment confidently and effectively. We work closely with individuals, families, carers, social care colleagues and external partners to support positive outcomes and promote independence. At Oxfordshire County Council, we want our employees to feel valued and supported and to know that the work they do makes a genuine difference to the people and communities we serve.

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county. We have a strong and supportive working culture, where our colleagues are valued and encouraged to develop. Rewards and benefits include:

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where the role permits
• Up to 33 days' holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to 'buy' additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme, including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.