Deputyship Case Officer

Deputyship Case Officer

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £30,678 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 1 or 2 days per week, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired.

The Opportunity:

We are pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity in our deputyship team, a team that provides a service to protect and support the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in the county. We do this by getting appointed by The Court of Protection to manage all aspects of the property and financial affairs of unbefriended people who do not have the mental capacity to manage and safeguard their own financial affairs.

We are looking for a professional, experienced case officer to take responsibility for managing all aspects of a caseload of vulnerable adults living in the community and residential care homes. We are looking for a person who will exceed the standards expected of a public authority deputy so that our clients' best interests are always met.

Accountabilities:

• Manage all aspects of a caseload of vulnerable service users residing in residential care and the community, identified by Social Workers as not having the mental capacity to manage their own property and financial affairs.
• Manage all aspects of clients' affairs when they move home.
• Conduct deputy visits to clients to ensure the deputy is acting in the client's best interests and maximising their quality of life from their assets.
• Meet the standards expected of a public authority deputy.
• Prepare applications to the Court of Protection.
• Claim, collect and administer all benefits and other income, ensuring completion of the individual's tax affairs.
• Maintain and protect the client's home or dealing with their tenancy arrangements.
• Prepare and complete annual accounts and reports on individual clients to submit to the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Work collaboratively with the Council's social care practitioners and contracted care providers.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Proficient knowledge of claiming and maintaining state benefits for working age adults with limited capability for work and work activity and Pension Age adults entitled to Pension Credit.
• Experience of protecting, selling, charging or renting property on behalf of clients.
• Experience of making Court of Protection applications.
• Good understanding of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice, including an understanding of how the five statutory principles of the MCA are applied within working practices.
• Proficient level of knowledge and understanding of tenancy agreements and previous experience of working with housing associations and local authority benefit teams.
• Proficient level of knowledge and understanding of getting help with housing costs using Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reductions.
• A good decision maker.
• Is an organised finisher of tasks and works with diligence.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of charging for care.
• Experience of visiting vulnerable adults and their carers
• Previous experience of managing a busy caseload.
• Excellent task management skills
• The ability to reconcile accounts and identify and investigate anomalies on accounts
• Excellent communication skills with experience in writing clear and accurate procedures, guidance, reports, decisions, and objective notes.
• Works well alone, as part of a small buddy group and as part of a team
• Experience of working full time between an office and home

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.