Job Description
What you'll work on
This work is on the Cheshire West and Chester's HELP and Household Support Fund Scheme. This is mainly phone based role dealing with customers in financial hardship who require either foodbank vouchers or pay point vouchers to assist in paying for utilities. It is a fast paced busy environment.
There will also be work on HSF application forms, repetitive work following a set procedure and legislation. Good understanding of Excel spreadsheets and some benefit knowledge would be advantageous.
What you'll achieve
- To process and co-ordinate all procurement and payment related activity for the Assessment Centre including raising orders, invoicing and supplier payment verification and processing activities/reconciliations.
- To carry out auditing of accounts as required to ensure appropriate expenditure of funding provided to customers in receipt of social care services.
- Calculate weekly charges based on social care customers’ personal financial information and confirm in writing to ensure customers are informed of their current charge for services and the Council’s terms of trade.
- Maintain and monitor financial and administrative systems, creating and approving purchase requisitions, calculating and processing payments/charges relevant to Social Care related services, mark view, handling payments, to enable supervisors and managers to maintain budgets efficiently and effectively in accordance with financial regulations.
- Receive and action requests for services via email, telephone, post or face to face, determining their importance and priority, responding directly where possible or in the case of sensitive or complex requests, refer these to a more senior colleague thereby ensuring that service needs are met and business levels are maintained.
- Maintain and monitor the use of financial and administrative information systems and databases in operation ensuring the accuracy, quality and integrity of the data base and systems, that proper control is exercised and that all data and information is accessible to enable services and managers to meet statutory requirements and meet service needs.
- To assist with loading and uplifting of contractual rates paid to care providers and customers for social care related activities.
- Respond to all internal and external communications sensitively, diplomatically and using discretion to provide up to date, constant and accurate advice, guidance and information in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures, to ensure standards are maintained and business needs are met.
- Monitor the performance of the team, identify areas for improvement and make recommendations for action to supervisors and managers in order to contribute to the achievement of service and corporate objectives.
- To assist with monitoring any Service Level Agreements, making any payments due, monitoring workloads, preparing & monitoring any statistical or year-end returns providing these as required.
- Work in partnership with the Council Tax Billing/ Debt Recovery/ Corporate Fraud sections and maintain effective communication on common issues.
- Liaise with Social Care teams, DWP offices, the Rent Officer Service, Housing Associations and private landlords on individual cases.
- To support colleagues across the Assessment Centre, especially within the social care environment.
- To liaise with Solicitors, assessment officers, other professionals and customers in relation to property sales and to collate documents/ information in relation to these sales.
- Produce bi-annual statements to customers with Deferred Loans and produce/action any relevant reports as required.
- To have a working knowledge of current Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction Scheme/ Free School Meals and Social Care Charging regulations, policies and procedures.
A few things to note
- The rate for this role is £14.18 per hour Umbrella
- The term for this role is 3 months initially
Experience
Essential
Basic understanding of Housing, Council Tax and Social Care legislation/policies and other means tested benefits.
- Sound working knowledge of the Councils Ordering, invoicing and payment systems and procedures
- Ability to cope with change and develop positive approaches in self and others.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Sound knowledge of PC and any relevant computer systems.
- Ability to cope with change and develop positive approaches in self and others.
- Experience of working in financial / administrative environment.
Desirable
- Proven experience in dealing with customers, providing advice and information on a 1 to 1 basis
- Experience in communicating with vulnerable members of the community and effectively with other organisations.
- Experience of Academy/Civica/Liquidlogic/ Controcc/ Financial systems
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage and monitor workload to competing priorities.
Job Related Knowledge
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with customers and staff orally and in writing.
- Ability to convey information/instructions to staff and customers
- Courteous and efficient
- Ability to relate to customers’ needs and circumstances
Skills and Aptitudes
- Positive attitude towards work
- Enthusiastic
- Self - motivated
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Council’s Race Equality Scheme and a commitment to the promotion of diversity
Equal Opportunities
Business Smart Solutions are a Recruitment Agency - We hire talented and passionate people from a variety of backgrounds because we want our global worker base to represent the wide diversity of our clients. If you’re excited about a role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every bullet point listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about working for a role in local government and share our company values, we encourage you to apply.
BSS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. BSS considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable UK law. If you need assistance or an accommodation made due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Contract length: 3 months
Salary: £14.18 per hour
Schedule:
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience in receiving and actioning requests for services via email, telephone, post or face to face for a Local Authority?
- Have you ever used Capita One (Academy) at any other Local Authority?
- Have you dealt with issuing any form of grants in the past three years?
Experience:
- Local Government: 1 year (required)
Work Location: Remote