Job title: Senior Finance Assistant (Residential Financial Assessment Team)
Salary: £25,584 - £27,269
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)
Adults Operational Services Team provides several services including financial assessments to ascertain financial assistance for care services provided, invoicing of assessed client financial charge for non-residential services, Deputyship and Estate Management, Audit of Direct Payments and Payment of invoices for Home Care provision.
An exciting opportunity has arisen Leeds City Council’s Adult Operational Services, to become part of the Financial Assessments Team.
The Financial Assessments Team carry out financial assessments, for people receiving care and support in a Residential setting, to calculate the level of financial assistance they qualify for towards the costs of their care and support from Leeds City Council. Officers' role is to Investigate queries raised by Residential care homes regarding the customers care fees in line with the Council’s charging policy and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations (2014).
The successful candidate will be involved in interrogating the Customer Information System on receipt of a Residential care home query; liaising with internal colleagues and social workers in relation to any enquiries and disputes, to ensure that financial assessments are completed accurately, and service users are only required to contribute the amount they can afford to pay for their Residential placement.
You will report to the Assistant Finance Manager and Finance Officer.
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 Senior Finance Assistant you will bring to the role:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), including strong customer service skills
- An elevated level of IT literacy with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and be able to input and analyse spreadsheet data.
- Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to keep accurate records.
- You need to be a team player, with the willingness to learn and the ability to understand the needs of our customers.
- Be a self-motivator, who is highly organised, have the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and be able to work to deadlines.
About the role
You will be working in a busy Operational Finance Department; in interrogating the Customer Information System on receipt of a Residential care home query; liaising with internal colleagues and social workers in relation to any enquiries and disputes, to ensure that financial assessments are completed accurately, and service users are only required to contribute the amount they can afford to pay for their Residential placement.
You will be required to manage the team’s email inbox and allocate incoming queries to other team members. You will also be required to deal with telephone enquiries and provide general administrative support.
You will need to have the ability to interpret all types of legislation and financial policies connected to this position. You will need to possess good problem solving and decision-making skills.
Applicants will need to be able to work on their own initiative, without close supervision, to tight deadlines, and must be able to keep accurate records and be able to use a variety of computerised systems. You will have strong organisational skills, being able prioritise work with frequent interruptions.
You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers. You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. The ability to work harmoniously with others to achieve your personal goals, the goals of the team and that of the service.
Successful candidate will need to have a GCSE level C or above in both English Language and Maths or the equivalent.
The team have adapted to Hybrid working and you will be expected to work from Merrion House 2 days per week.
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 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 Zoe Smith, Assistant Finance Manager on 0113 5350038.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer, and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Dealing with incoming mail and emails and it’s timely distribution.
- Dealing with telephone queries and signposting where appropriate
- Dealing with queries of a sensitive nature, ensuring information governance rules are adhered to at all times in the interest of the client.
- Advice on aspects of legislation and welfare benefits
- Assisting with the production of letters to clients and/or providers of services, and appropriate reminder letters issued as required.
- Assisting with administration of team processes as required
- Filing and scanning documents correctly
- Ensuring databases and record management systems are updated accurately and timely.
- Liaison with other Council services and external organisations
- Assistance with banking arrangements and appropriate recording
- Assistance with monitoring of debts
- Assistance with payments on behalf of clients
- 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
- Resolving queries of a financial nature with minimum levels of supervision.
- Assistance with stock control and ordering of stationery as required.
- Reporting potential fraud or safeguarding concerns promptly
- To assist in the promotion of the service and present a good image of the service and the Authority.
- To ensure the provision of an effective, efficient and confidential service to our customers
- To be a proactive member of the team, identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
- Work unsupervised, using your own initiative to adhere to sometimes conflicting deadlines and be reactive to service priorities.
- Be committed to safer working arrangements.
- Supporting staff and assist with developing new team members.
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
- 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.
- Ability to work on own initiative to adhere to timescales and deadlines.
- Ability to undertake administrative duties as required.
- Ability to pass and receive information accurately and securely.
- Ability to prioritise workload with frequent interruptions.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills and the ability to deal with complex tasks.
- Able to work flexibly and as part of a team to achieve service priorities.
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
- An awareness of services available within Adults & Health
- Knowledge of legislation and welfare benefits applicable to Adults and Health services.
- Knowledge of the Council Values
Experience required
- Experience of using one’s own initiative.
- 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
- Experience of being pro-active in identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
- Experience of dealing positively with challenging situations, either face to face or by phone.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of 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 development
