Finance Officer (Deputy and Estates Team) - REQ003158

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Finance Officer (Deputy and Estates Team)

Salary: C3 £32,061 - £33,699

Hours: 37 (Full Time)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team working on behalf of the people of Leeds who need our help and support the most?

Exciting opportunities have become available within the Adult Operational Services Department. We are currently recruiting Finance Officer to join our Deputy & Estates Team on a permanent basis.

This is a transformative time for the team, with significant redesign and innovation underway to help us deliver even better services to our customers and communities.

As a Finance Officer, you will help manage the finances of clients who are unable to do so themselves, acting as a Corporate Deputy and Appointee. You will also be involved in:

Conducting property searches
Arranging payments and recovering funeral costs
Liaising with the Government Legal Department and family tracing organisations

Reporting to: Assistant Finance Manager and Senior Finance Officer

Join us in making a real difference in people’s lives while developing your career in a supportive and forward-thinking team.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Finance Officer you will bring to the role:

As a Finance Officer, you will bring:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with a strong customer service focus and clear report writing ability.
A high level of IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to input and analyse spreadsheet data.
Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
A collaborative mindset, willingness to learn, and a strong understanding of customer needs.
Self-motivation, strong organisational skills, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.

About the role

You will work in a busy operational finance department, supporting the management of clients’ financial affairs when they lack capacity to do so themselves. Your responsibilities will include:

Preparing applications for Corporate Appointee and Deputy roles.
Conducting benefits checks to maximise client income.
Processing benefit claims, making bill payments, and resolving queries by liaising with internal departments and external organisations, in line with guidance from the Office of the Public Guardian and the Department for Work and Pensions.

You will also contribute to the Estates function, including:

Conducting property searches in accordance with The Care Act 2014.
Managing public health funerals.
Liaising with next of kin and other parties to resolve estates following a client’s death.

Ideally, you will have experience in a customer service environment, demonstrating patience and empathy. You’ll be comfortable dealing with clients’ representatives, support workers, and third parties sensitively, while ensuring compliance with Information Governance legislation.

You’ll also work with colleagues across the Council and external agencies, requiring:

The ability to interpret legislation and financial policies.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Initiative and independence in managing tasks to tight deadlines.
Proficiency in using various computerised systems.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work amid frequent interruptions.

You’ll be a critical thinker, motivated by making a difference, and a team player who works harmoniously with others to achieve shared goals.

Working Arrangements

The team operates a hybrid working model. You will be expected to work from Merrion House at least one day per week.

Please note: The interview process will include a written test exercise to assess your communication skills.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete every part of the online application form outlining how you meet the specified criteria as detailed in the Job Description.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Richard Vink, Team Manager, Deputy and Estates Team, on 0113 3788005.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To assist with the provision of a comprehensive financial support service to the Adult Operational Services team within Adult & Health Directorate.

The Adult Operational Services team provides a number of services for Adult Social Care including financial assessments to ascertain qualifying financial assistance for care services, billing and debt management for assessed chargeable services, Deputyship and Estate Management, Audit of Direct Payment Agreements and payments to providers of Home Care services.

The overarching aim is to ensure a co-ordinated and consistent approach to the provision of Adult Operational Services (AOS) by:

Providing an efficient support service to senior managers, and staff within the AOS team
Providing a flexible service and be reactive to priorities.
Providing timely financial information and support to officers/Social Workers, clients or their representatives, independent providers and outside agencies, as appropriate within information governance guidance, to enable them to make better informed decisions.
Aiming to maximise the council's financial resources within levels of acceptable risk.
Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.

Responsibilities

General Responsibilites

Training & support for new members of staff
Assistance with staff supervision
Training and advice for colleagues and senior officers in the Directorate
Provide an effective and efficient service ensuring information governance rules are adhered to at all times in the interest of the client.
To assist in the promotion of the service and present a good image of the service and the Authority.
Ensure team email account and team phone messaging system is managed and issues are responded to appropriately and timely, including where notified of change of circumstances.
Liaison and guidance to clients (or their representatives) external organisations, colleagues, and senior officers, requiring well developed communication skills, always ensuring a sensitive manner in relation to financial issues for Adult & Health purposes in line with current legislation and policies.
Dealing appropriately with complex issues of a financial nature
Reporting potential fraud or safeguarding concerns promptly
Ensuring maximisation of Benefits for clients and prompt communication of any changes in circumstances to other teams in AOS (if client receiving a chargeable social care service) to maximise income.
Ensuring the integrity of databases and record management systems are maintained including accurately and timely recording of information and any issues are recorded appropriately in case notes.
Using computer systems to analyse and collate data and use it to produce reports, adding value to financial data with minimal levels of supervision.
Assistance with the compilation of statistics for Management Information purposes
Provide Statement of Truth document for Legal Services and occasional attendance in Court to give evidence as witness - when applicable
Represent the Council in Court to give evidence - when applicable
Assistance with response to appeals, complaints and queries from Senior Managers and Members.
Work effectively as a team member, supporting colleagues with workloads as appropriate.
Work unsupervised, using your own initiative to adhere to sometimes conflicting deadlines and be reactive to service priorities.
To be a proactive member of the team, identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
Assistance with developments and attendance and input on project boards as appropriate
Take responsibility for own development and performance within the role.
Deputise at relevant meetings and assisting with ad-hoc supervision issues as may arise to cover short term absences of Assistant Finance Managers.

Team Specific Responsibilities

This post will be specific to the Deputy and Estates Team, as such there are certain team specific responsibilities.

Responding to referrals for Appointee/Deputy function and advise of appropriate solution.
Supporting the application for Appointeeship and Deputyship expediently for clients as a last resort.
Obtaining access to known bank accounts for Deputy clients to ensure funds can be managed.
Assist with the completion of relevant welfare benefit claim forms.
Accurately recording and monitoring of Case Management Systems for Appointee and Deputy Function
Prompt payment of invoices for all clients when acting as corporate Appointee or Deputy.
Payment of clients’ weekly personal allowances.
Assist with payment of LCC and OPG fees timely and appropriately.
Regular reviews of clients’ contracts to ensure best interest of client and best use of monies has been investigated.
Accurately recording of information in respect of income and expenditure for clients’ monies
Welfare checks in line with OPG annual reporting requirements - will include visiting Deputy Clients, in some cases with Social Worker support where appropriate, to ensure best interests are being considered. Appropriate reporting/signposting of findings in line with agreed departmental procedures.
Reconciliation of Client Accounts to Bank Accounts in a timely manner.
Assist with the disposal of properties on behalf of clients where applicable.
Assist with the disbursement of deceased clients’ finances and assets appropriately.
Supporting the Estates Function for clients of the authority when not necessarily acting as Deputy or Appointee.
Actioning payments for local authority contracted funerals as a last resort, and investigations to recover costs where applicable.
Visiting client residences to secure assets, and accurately recording and managing the assets in accordance with procedures.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the service may require the job holder to undertake duties commensurate with the level of the role. The Council has adopted a flexible protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications

Holds a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent or expects to gain a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent in results due.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

Be able to train and new staff where required.
Be able to supervise staff.
Be able to explain routine financial tasks to a team of staff.
Ability to use a computerised system to accurately input, update and interrogate client information.
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills using a variety of media including face to face meetings.
Be able to deal effectively with stressful and sometimes aggressive clients or their representatives.
Ability to work on own initiative to adhere to timescales and deadlines.
Ability to pass and receive information accurately and securely.
Ability to prioritise workloads with frequent interruptions.
Able to work with minimal supervision.
Able to produce high quality work.
Be able to undertake complex financial analysis in response to queries.
Be able to work flexibly and as part of a team to achieve service priorities.
Be able to communicate confidently and effectively with clients or their representatives, service professionals, outside agencies and government departments.
Be able to interpret appropriate legislation, policies and guidance and apply them to team objectives.
Be able to advise clients and colleagues on financial issues, including those issues relating to current policy or legislation and assist in training sessions.
Be able to contribute to the reviewing and implementation of service developments.
Be able to deputise at relevant meetings and assisting with ad-hoc supervision issues as may arise to cover short term absences of Assistant Finance Manager.

Knowledge required

Knowledge of applications, systems and IT programmes utilised by the service.
Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations and an understanding of personal accountability
Knowledge of decision-making processes within the Council
An awareness of services available within Adults & Health
An awareness of local policies and current legislation applicable to chargeable services for Adults and Health services
An awareness of welfare benefits available.
Knowledge of the Council Values

Experience required

Experience of staff supervision
Experience of training colleagues
Experience of working in an office environment.
Experience of using one’s own initiative.
Experience of working with minimal levels of supervision
Experience of working within a team where flexibility of response is required.
Experience of communicating with a variety of individuals using a range of media including telephone, individual meetings, emails and letters.
Experience of dealing positively with challenging situations, either face to face or by phone.
Experience of being pro-active in identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
Experience of producing reports for management/performance information

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambitionof Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills Required

Knowledge Required

Knowledge of local policies and current legislation applicable to chargeable services for Adults and Health services
Knowledge of welfare benefits available.

Experience Required

Experience of working with elderly, disabled or vulnerable client group.
Experience of dealing with stressful and sometimes aggressive clients or their representatives
Experience of contributing to the implementation of service developments

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