Job Description

Job Title: Financial Assessment and Charging Officer

Contract Length: 6 Months

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Location: Civic Centre / Home Working / Service User Visits

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Start Date: ASAP

Job Purpose

To undertake financial assessments for individuals receiving residential, community and respite care services, determining their ability to contribute towards the cost of care in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and charging policies. The role ensures accurate, timely assessments, benefit maximisation, income recovery, and effective communication with service users, families, and professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out financial assessments for adults receiving care services, including residential, nursing, community, and respite care.
• Calculate client contributions using income, capital, and expenditure information in line with statutory guidance and charging policy.
• Assess eligibility for welfare benefits and support benefit maximisation to ensure correct entitlement.
• Conduct manual calculations for care charges, benefits, and reconciliations.
• Verify financial evidence including bank statements, savings, investments, property ownership, trusts, and pensions.
• Undertake property checks, including land registry searches and valuation comparisons, where required.
• Identify and investigate potential deprivation of assets, safeguarding concerns, and financial irregularities.
• Support income recovery activities, including reviewing arrears, conducting financial re-assessments, negotiating repayment plans, and undertaking site visits where necessary.
• Provide advice and guidance to service users, families, and representatives regarding financial assessments, charges, and payment options, including Deferred Payment Agreements.
• Prepare documentation and case summaries for legal services and support legal proceedings as required.
• Participate in financial assessment appeals, complaints handling, and review processes.
• Maintain accurate records on relevant social care and finance systems, ensuring compliance with data protection and audit requirements.
• Liaise with social workers, finance teams, legal services, safeguarding teams, and external agencies including DWP.
• Contribute to service improvements, policy development, and system enhancements.

Financial Reassessments

• Conduct annual and ad-hoc financial re-assessments following changes in circumstances.
• Review benefit entitlement and adjust care charges accordingly.
• Notify service users, finance teams, and care providers of changes promptly.

Income Recovery & Safeguarding

• Support debt recovery through case investigations, site visits, reassessments, and repayment negotiations.
• Identify safeguarding concerns related to financial abuse or exploitation and refer appropriately.
• Liaise with internal and external partners to secure debts and protect vulnerable adults.

Systems & Data Management

• Maintain accurate case records and financial data across social care and corporate financial systems.
• Ensure timely updating of case notes, assessments, adjustments, and account reconciliations.
• Support testing and implementation of system upgrades and benefit uprating processes.

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Proven experience in financial assessments, charging, or welfare benefits within adult social care.
• Strong understanding of welfare benefits, income maximisation, and charging legislation.
• Knowledge of Care Act guidance, fairer charging principles, and residential care funding.
• Experience of dealing with complex cases, financial investigations, and income recovery.
• Ability to interpret financial information, analyse evidence, and produce accurate assessments.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to deal empathetically with vulnerable adults and families.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload, meet deadlines, and prioritise competing demands.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Confident use of IT systems including case management and financial systems.

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS clearance required.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (home visits required). xbpsjku
• Willingness to work flexibly and travel within the service area.