Income Recovery Officer - Adult Social Care

Michael Page (UK); London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established local authority in London is seeking an experienced Income Recovery Officer to join their Corporate Debt Team. This role focuses on the compassionate recovery of outstanding adult social care payments while maintaining high standards of public service. You will proactively manage debt cases, negotiate payment arrangements, and work collaboratively with service users and internal teams. If you are passionate about helping the community and have a strong background in debt recovery, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact while enjoying a supportive work environment with excellent benefits.

Benefits

Fantastic benefits

24 month Fixed Term Contract

Qualifications

• Experience in recovering delinquent accounts from individuals and organizations.
• Good knowledge of debt legislation related to housing benefit overpayments.

Responsibilities

• Manage debt case workload while adhering to Corporate Debt Management objectives.
• Conduct investigations and maintain up-to-date knowledge of debt management systems.

Skills

Debt Recovery

Negotiation Skills

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

GCSE Level including Maths and English

Tools

SAP

Northgate

Job description

• Great opportunity to work for a brilliant Local Authority based in London.
• Immediate start!

About Our Client

Our client is a Local Authority based in London. They are committed to maintaining high standards of public service and are dedicated to the well-being of the community they serve.

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Income Recovery Officer to join our Corporate Debt Team, focusing on collecting outstanding adult social care payments. You'll work closely with service users, their representatives, and internal teams, using a compassionate, person-centred approach. The role involves proactive debt recovery, including calls, letters, or legal action, while meeting targets and offering debt management advice.

Main Duties:

• Provide fast and effective Debt Recovery by prioritising and proactively managing debt case workload, whilst adhering to Corporate Debt Management service objectives.
• Establish liability/responsibility for debtors, carrying out investigations by inspecting system records, making telephone/written enquiries and tracing debtors where they have absconded.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and effectively use SAP and Northgate as well as any new debt management system that is implemented to maximise income and minimise debts.
• Inbound/Outbound telephone debt recovery, negotiating payment arrangements in accordance with Corporate Debt policy. Setting up and monitoring Attachment of Earnings/Benefits.
• Maximising the volume of automated debt recovery, by minimising the volume of manual collections, therefore increasing cost effectiveness and maximising capacity.
• Deliver Positive outcomes for customers through collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Escalation of delinquent accounts/debts to the Team Leader/Manager where required, in order for a decision to be made in regards to advanced recovery methods or Court Proceedings.
• Ensure customer refunds, write-offs, queries and payment allocations are completed (including suspense) within set standards and time frames as per the Corporate Debt SLA.
• Ensure personal performance targets are achieved within set time frames.
• Compile/Generate/Maintain regular performance reports for self and management as required.
• Timely escalation of risks, issues or opportunities to management.
• Understand, keep up to date with and comply with changes to legislation, council policy, procedures and regulations that impact income and debt recovery.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Income Recovery Officer should have:

• Educated up to GCSC Level including Maths and English with experience in recovering delinquent accounts from customers (individuals, and public/private organisations) within Sundry debt (including Social Care / Housing Benefit Overpayment Field).
• Good knowledge of debt legislation with regards to the collection of housing benefit overpayments / social care and the ability to apply it.
• Team player who demonstrates the ability to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders, to ensure prompt resolution of queries.
• Current/Previous experience in the use of Northgate/SAP for debt management as well as other relevant IT.
• Previous experience in a similar position within a local authority.
• Housing Benefit Overpayment/Social Care Subject Matter Expert.

What's on Offer

You will be offered a 24 month FTC within a local authority with fantastic benefits.