Foster Parent Pay Officer - Part Time

Polaris Community; Bromsgrove; On-site; GBP 23,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Foster Parent Pay Officer to join their Bromsgrove office. This part-time role involves processing foster parent expenses and payments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local authority protocols. You will play a crucial role in supporting foster parents by providing exceptional service and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues and local authorities. The organization is committed to improving the lives of children and offers a supportive environment for its staff. If you are detail-oriented and passionate about making a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

30 days Annual Leave

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Discount Scheme

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Experience in processing financial claims and payments.
• Strong communication skills for dealing with foster parents.

Responsibilities

• Process and update foster parent expense claims efficiently.
• Review payments against protocols and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

IT Competence

Education

High School Diploma

Relevant Experience in Finance or Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Financial Software

Job description

POLARIS COMMUNITY

Foster Parent Pay Officer - Part Time

Location: Office Based - Bromsgrove Head Office

Salary: £14,547.90 Pro Rata Per Annum (£22,630 FTE)

Contract: Part-time permanent, 22.5 hours per week

Benefits: 30 days Annual Leave (rising to 35 days with length of service) pro rata + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x2, Employee Discount Scheme & Free Parking

About Us

We are Polaris, one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Leaving Care services, Education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.

Role Details

The role reports to the Foster Parent Pay Manager and will be required to provide assistance to all foster parents by delivering an efficient, courteous and professional service when processing foster parent expenses and variable payments as well as reviewing foster parent payments against existing protocols and Local Authority frameworks.

The scope of the role includes:

1. Processing and updating expense and variable pay claims to ensure a smooth foster parent pay process
2. Reviewing all types of foster parent payments against existing protocols and Local Authority frameworks
3. Ensuring incoming claims are correctly authorised for payment
4. Querying claims with colleagues where required
5. Identifying rechargeable payments in line with company procedures
6. Ensuring all rechargeable expense claims have the appropriate authorisation from the Local Authority
7. Raising all credit slips for rechargeable expenses for the Credit Control Team
8. Collating any incidents of incorrect / inaccurate recordings
9. Providing feedback on foster parent payments to regions
10. Dealing with enquiries from foster parents and regional offices in a polite and professional manner, in both verbal and written form, as required
11. Supporting maintenance of good business relationships with Local Authorities
12. Supporting and maintaining good relationships with other Polaris colleagues nationally
13. Assisting in preparation and checking of annual foster parent statements
14. Undertaking tasks assigned by the Foster Parent Pay Manager and/or Finance Director
15. Striving for improvement and increased efficiency
16. Upholding the positive professional image of Polaris
17. Maintaining strict confidentiality in relation to the work undertaken
18. Attending and participating in team meetings, briefings, training courses, and supervision sessions, punctually and well prepared, as appropriate and when required

Additional Duties

1. Undertaking other duties as may be required to ensure the effective and efficient operation of Polaris
2. Participating in training and development deemed necessary for the role
3. Ensuring that Health and Safety is observed in the course of employment
4. Complying with Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedure in all employment practices
5. Adhering to the no smoking policy in place
6. Demonstrating that the Company Values are at the centre of all actions
7. Reaching a minimum basic standard of I.T. competence to use Company electronic systems effectively
8. Ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures throughout all work within the Company, keeping the relevant Senior Manager informed of work in progress and informing the relevant Senior Manager immediately of any child protection matter or serious complaint

For more information about the role, please contact Rachael Jenkins, Foster Parent Pay Manager on 01527 556480.

To be considered for this position, please do apply.

We are a family of independent fostering agencies, all with our own individual areas of expertise, but with one shared vision. We want to give children across the country who have had a difficult start in life, the support they need to build themselves a stronger and happier future. For our Foster Parents, we provide a close network of support that becomes like a second family.

No agencies please.

Polaris is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the disability confident employer by the jobcentre plus. The successful applicant will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.