Financial Assessment & Charging Officer

The Financial Assessment & Charging Team undertake financial assessments under the Local Authoritys Charging for Adult Social Care Policy for all new and existing users of Adult Social Care services. We are seeking a motivated individual to join the team, reporting to the Senior Financial Assessment & Charging Officer within our MarketStreet Offices.

As a Financial Assessment & Charging Officer you will play a vital role in ensuring a consistent and fair approach when completing financial assessments, to promote affordable, sustainable support for people who require Adult Social Care services

The role

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Explaining the Councils Charging for Adult Social Care policy and undertaking financial assessments in accordance with the policy, this may involve visiting the client in their own home.
• Maintaining an up to date working knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and the Councils Charging for Adult Social Care Policy
• Maintaining an up to date working knowledge of all Welfare Benefit matters which affect the Council and its service users
• Providing welfare benefits advice and helping with benefit claims
• Maintaining accurate individual client records and a database which collates information on all clients who receive a chargeable care service
• Undertaking appeals and tribunal work on behalf of a client or refer to the appropriate agencies if necessary.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

The ideal candidate would have the following skills and attributes

• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation governing charging for care services
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues
• Excellent attention to detail ensuring accuracy in all aspects of your work
• Effective organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise tasks effectively
• Commitment to continuous development of skills and knowledge

Our offer to you

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• We offer flexible working wherever possible between the hours of
• We offer hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Death in service benefit
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years service.

All roles will be subject to an annual banding pay review until the top of the pay grade is reached (following successfully passing probation)

All roles will be eligible for the annual national pay award.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks

About us

West Berkshire council is a forward thinking and ambitious council. We have a positive attitude to our work and focus on excellent teamwork to deliver award winning services for our residents and businesses.

We employ over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings. We offer a wide array of opportunities for training and development and varied career progression opportunities.

Our staff support the delivery of a wide range of services on behalf of the Council. Ranging from garden waste collection, planning and roadworks to caring for those in our communities. Everything we do is focused on our priority for improvement and delivering our values of fairness, integrity and being customer focused.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

Please now complete a short online application form. xbpsjku You will then be able to upload your CV.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.