Financial Assessments & Benefits Officer x2

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Professional development

Staff groups for carers, disabled, etc

Extra annual leave options

Wellbeing team

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

North Somerset Council is recruiting two Financial Assessments & Benefits Officer to join the Adult Social Care team. The posts involve means-tested assessments, charging under Care Act Regulations, and managing the Deferred Payment Scheme.

It is a mobile, field-based role with 0–1 office days per week, home visits when needed, and a 37-hour week. You will need an NVQ level 2 literacy and numeracy or equivalent, strong communication and numerical skills, and the ability to manage your own

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 literacy and numeracy or equivalent.
• Demonstrated communication and numerical skills.
• Ability to manage own caseload and work to targets.

Responsibilities

• Carry out means-tested financial assessments to determine client contributions.
• Complete assessments promptly and accurately.
• Ensure charges comply with Care Act Regulations.
• Resolve routine problems and escalate complex ones.
• Meet service users in homes or hospitals as needed, with paperwork completed.
• Help clients understand financial responsibilities.
• Signpost to benefits or extra support.
• Manage the Deferred Payment Scheme.

Skills

Good communication

Numerical skills

Caseload management

Teamwork and independence

Education

NVQ level 2 literacy and numeracy or equivalent

Job description

Two Financial Assessments & Benefits Officer posts in the team at North Somerset Council that works out how much people pay towards their care, alongside Adult Social Care. The work centres on means-tested assessments, applying charges under the Care Act Charging Regulations and managing the Deferred Payment Scheme. It is a mobile, field-based role with 0-1 office days a week, home visits when needed and a 37-hour week. Own transport and a valid driving licence are essential, and sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Carry out means-tested financial assessments to set what people contribute towards their care, within existing procedures and the Care Act Charging Regulations
• Complete financial assessments promptly and accurately
• Ensure charges are applied fairly and in line with national legislation and local policy
• Resolve routine technical and process problems and queries, escalating complex ones
• Meet service users or representatives in their homes, hospital or another suitable location when needed, or process user-submitted assessments, with all paperwork completed in full
• Help service users and representatives understand their financial responsibilities
• Signpost service users to benefits or support they may need or be entitled to
• Manage the Deferred Payment Scheme

What’s required

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 literacy and numeracy or equivalent

Skills & knowledge

• Good communication skills
• Good numerical skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work as part of a busy team and independently
• Ability to manage own caseload and work to targets and deadlines

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check, as the role is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975
• Valid driving licence with own transport, or a suitable alternative means of travel
• Full permission to work in the UK, as sponsorship is not offered

Nice to have

• NVQ level 3 or 4, or equivalent, in a relevant area
• Knowledge of benefits, pensions and financial products
• Awareness and understanding of disabilities and mental health and their impact on daily lifeAbility to present evidence and information clearly and confidently in a variety of formats

What’s offered

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Staff groups for carers, disabled staff, LGBTQ+ staff, REACH and young staff
• Option to buy up to 10 additional days of annual leave each year
• In-house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and electric vehicle schemes