Court of Protection Finance Visiting Officer

• Work within clear policies on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), business continuity, banking and money handling. Dealing with anything that may have a financial impact on the service user. Responsibility for each individual's finances, taking into consideration their personal needs and circumstances in line with the Mental Capacity Act code of practice 5 key principles. Linking to the above, the postholder is responsible for ensuring clients' best interests are served at all times.
• Responsibility for payments relating to the service user and therefore be responsible for dealing with a wide range of client / provider payment queries which at times can be contentious and complex. The post holder has full responsibility for their own caseload of circa 50-60 clients, their individual bank accounts, savings, property and investments.
• The post holder will organise their own caseload of clients, daily activity and the work is managed rather than supervised. The Court Order gives significant powers and discretion to the deputy and all staff delegated with deputyship responsibilities.

Essential

• Minimum 5 GCSE grades A-C including English and Mathematics or equivalent.
• Proven relevant office / business experience, preferably within finance related role.
• Computer Literate (ECDL or similar).

Desirable

• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Intermediate and/or NVQ3 or willingness to study a recognised course, or equivalent experience.
• OCN Public Authority Deputy Accreditation Level 3.

Essential

• The ability to analyse, investigate and resolve financial queries and discrepancies which may involve the use of tact and influencing/ negotiation skills when dealing with suppliers and clients.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including communication and listening skills to a diverse range of client groups.
• Ability to use various software packages (Excel, Outlook, Word, bespoke systems)
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality / data protection.

Desirable

• Previous financial experience, including accounts reconciliation.
• Knowledge of financial information systems.
• Previous Social Services / NHS / Local Government experience.

Essential

• Ability to influence and persuade, explaining financial information to non-financial managers/representatives/clients.
• To analyse, investigate and resolve complex financial queries and discrepancies especially with new cases where there are potential safeguarding issues
• Dealing with external agencies and ensuring payments are correct which could include pursuing over/under payments

Essential

• Plan workload to ensure Court of Protection standards and deputy reports are submitted in a timely manner
• Undertaking complex court order work which must be planned with social care teams and representatives around notifying them of the court order process.

Essential

• Use of a keyboard for long periods of the day to input data quickly & accurately. Be able to manage numerous applications to resolve queries and carry out daily duties.
• Be able to manage constant phone calls from a variety of clients and professionals.
• To visit clients in their own homes and on occasions have to carry around large volumes of paperwork and work in varying degrees of comfort.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour from clients and representatives on a regular basis.