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Job description

The Payments Team within the Community Financial Resilience department are looking to recruit a Finance Officer to its existing Direct Payment Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to join a busy well established team within Islington Council and to make a real difference
to the clients we serve.

• Ensuring Direct Payments are paid and are spent in accordance to the agreed support plan and that these accounts are financially monitored for a diverse range of services and client groups, and in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures.
• Responsibility for reviewing all client accounts, ensuring all client contributions are paid and where necessary recovering any non payment from the service user.
• Reconciling and reviewing each client account on a monthly basis to ensure that any spend or activity on the account is in accordance with the councils direct payment policy.
• Liaising with care management teams to progress any issues or concerns relating to the service user and their account.
• Promoting and ordering the councils prepaid card for all Direct Payment clients.
• Training to non finance staff and external agencies on Direct Payments.

The successful candidate will need to be knowledgeable in the main councils systems and procedures and have a keen eye for detail as well as
strong problem solving and analytical skills. They will also need to have knowledge of the legislation governing Adult Social Services Direct Payments, as well as the different roles and responsibilities within the Direct Payments function. The successful candidate will also require an excellent knowledge of Microsoft products including Excel and Access.

The Direct Payment Finance Team manages the processing of Direct Payments and the financial monitoring of all Direct Payments made to Adults Social Services clients. This team includes the Holding Account function which manages Direct Payments for service users who are unable to manage this themselves. The post will report to the Team Manager.

To find out more about the role please contact Dimple Bhere on 020 7527 8977.

Closing date: Sunday 14th May 2023 at 23:59

Interview date: TBC

To be responsible for supporting the Team Manager in the efficient and effective provision of comprehensive payments, collection, and recovery function, in accordance with statutory requirements and the Council's policies and procedures, ensuring all new policy initiatives and legislative changes are planned, implemented, and reviewed consistently and accurately and maximise income due to the Council and clients.

To be responsible for ensuring the efficient, accurate and timely preparation and completion of the Direct Payments process for clients, in accordance with legislation, statutory regulations and the Council’s policies and procedures, to identify all charges properly due and maximise income due to the Council and clients. To be responsible for ensuring correct payments are made to all Direct Payment recipients, adherence to audit requirements, that the payment procedure is followed, and all payments are reconciled correctly.

To manage the financial monitoring of Direct Payment clients, ensuring all expenditure is checked and in accordance with the agreed support plan. Communicating internally and externally to clarify and confirm Direct Payment expenditure.

To be responsible for taking appropriate debt recovery action on all client cases in conjunction with the legal department to recover debts owing to the council via the courts.

To complete all tasks associated with the financial administration of Direct Payments that will include following financial monitoring and payment procedures, accurate management and updating of systems and effectively storing data in accordance with the council procedures.

To be responsible for the administration of all income between council accounts, including producing management information and reporting on income.

Ensure that all payment schedules are authorised for payment in accordance with the published ContrOCC payments timetable.

To have responsibility for the correct banking of all income and the raising of any Sundry Debtors.

To be point of contact in finance for all Direct Payment queries, liaising with all care management teams across Adult Social Services to ensure the effective delivery of the Direct Payments Finance function.

To be responsible for ensuring the effective identification, monitoring, and reporting of client accounts and to ensure the provision of accurate and timely advice, guidance, and information regarding accounts for each Care Manager / Service area and the Team Manager. To ensure the accurate and effective provision of debt monitoring and recovery processes, systems, and reports, including write off, legal action and attendance at court, in accordance with the Council’s policies and procedures.

To be responsible for assisting with the preparation, analysis, and provision of accurate financial management information to be included in statutory returns and reports in line with statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures. **

To be responsible for contributing to the wide range of service plans and reviews including reviewing the cost effectiveness of services and supporting the Council’s lead finance officer role in relation to the Income in line with the Council’s policies and procedures, to achieve value for money.

To be responsible for assisting with the review and update of all documentation, policies and procedures and compliance with statutory requirements, in line with the professional standards and the Council’s policies and procedures. **

To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with the corporate, department and CCG finance teams in relation to timely and accurate budget monitoring, control, reconciliation, and reporting.

To support the Team Manager for acting on behalf of the Council on high level complex matters ensuring the provision of expert advice and guidance, both verbal and written, to all levels of staff which is appropriate, accurate and timely in relation to all aspects of the Payments Function in accordance with the Council’s policies and procedures and to promote awareness of good financial practice and control. **

To be responsible for the reconciliation of bank statements and other source documents of service users where Islington is either the Appointee or Deputy.

To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with external and internal audit, including the efficient filing and retention of documentation, maintaining appropriate audit trails for subsequent retrieval as and when required.

To be responsible for the efficient preparation and production of timely and accurate routine and ad-hoc management information, in relation to all aspects of the Payments function, as required by the Team Manager

To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with other teams and to promote joint working arrangements and the sharing of information.

To be responsible for assisting with the preparation and completion of complaint responses relating to the Payments function, as required by the Team manager, in accordance with the Council and Departmental complaints’ procedures.

To contribute to the on-going review of corporate and departmental systems and procedures and implement decisions, as required by the Team Manager.

To be responsible for keeping up to date with The Care Act and other relevant legislation, regulations, standards, service developments and initiatives and the Council’s policies and

To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.

To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.

To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the Team Manager

To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars, and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder.

To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council’s commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards.

To be committed to the Council’s core values of public service, quality, equality, and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out.

To ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with GDPR and other legislation.

To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation

At all times to carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Council's Dignity for all Policy. (Equal Opportunities Policy).