Client Money Management Officer – AR

Job Details

Main Purpose of the job:

To maintain a high level of income for the council through prompt Deputy and DWP Appointees casework and money and property management. To issue instructions for charges to be raised where necessary. To identify potential Welfare Benefit entitlement and ensure claims for benefits are made in accordance with statutory requirements. To adhere to financial rules and regulations and the Council’s policies and procedures and those of the Court of Protection and the Office of the Public Guardian. To undertake specific projects as required by the Benefit Delivery Manager.

Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

 Personal Duties

  1. To follow policy and legislation to ensure claims for welfare benefits are identified and signposted, increasing income for both the client and the Council as a result. Following up benefit claims on behalf of service users through appeal and tribunal procedures as necessary where we are legally responsible for the management of client income.
  2. To be responsible for contacting clients, their carers or advocates, ensuring that arrangements have been made in accordance with the client’s needs.
  3. To be responsible for contacting clients or their representatives in a variety of locations, including hospital, care home and in the office, to enable the calculation of contributions for existing and potential clients where the client is accepted for Client Property and Money management and there is no other suitable third party available to provide the information required. This could mean evening or weekend working may be required.
  4. To usually carry out visits alone, where necessary and appropriate to do so, ensuring that Risk Assessment training is undertaken
  5. To be responsible for handling the ASC completed application referral and subsequent maintenance of accepted Appointeeship clients, ensuring timescales are adhered to in accordance with The Department of Works and Pensions guidelines. To keep accurate records of all Appointeeships applied for, within both the Caspar and BMaP/VAM ICT systems database, so that client incomes and liabilities can be accurately monitored and maintained.
  6. To be responsible for handling the ASC completed application referral and subsequent maintenance of the accepted DWP Appointee or Deputyship client, ensuring that Court of Protection and DWP applications are completed within timescales and any associated third parties are made aware of the Councils involvement. To keep accurate records of all Appointee and Deputy cases within both the Caspar and BMaP ICT systems database, so that client incomes and liabilities can be accurately monitored and maintained.
  7. To ensure that Deputy client�s capital is managed and invested as appropriate.
  8. To ensure that all �one-off� Appointee and Deputy client money requests are handled and communicated within appropriate timeframes to ensure that the client is not adversely affected
  9. To ensure that Deputy client properties are protected and maintained as far as the duty of care and client funds permit
  10. To ensure that where appropriate, client property is sold according to Council policy, in order to release funds to provide for both investment and the Deputy clients on-going care needs
  11. To be responsible for keeping clear records of correspondence, interviews, telephone calls and home visits (where appropriate) for all client types. To ensure that clients are informed of Departmental and Council policy and of the Department�s Appeals and Complaints Procedures wherever appropriate.
  12. To be responsible for ensuring the updating of information held on computer and on paper files and when required, to access the data and arrange for submission of management information. To provide statistical information within the remit of the post.
  13. To work within the guidelines of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Freedom of Information Act.
  14. To participate in training sessions as arranged by senior management. To attend, participate and contribute as required in team meetings.
  15. To manage and prioritise own workload. To have the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines as set by managers. To be a proactive team member, sharing knowledge, information and good practice.
  16. To be responsible for carrying out regular re assessments according to the Department’s policy and as appropriate.
  17. To be responsible for calculation and raising of invoice requisitions where a client has no previous charging history, ensuring that invoices are sent to the FTT section within the department’s policy timescale. To ensure that correct coding and transaction types are used for invoicing.
  18. To communicate effectively at all levels with departmental personnel, existing and potential clients, other agencies and third parties. Maintain contact as necessary with other sections and Council departments, other Local Authorities and Government Departments and other organisations.
  19. To act at all times in accordance with Council and Departmental policy and ensure that all decisions taken safeguard the legal position of the Authority. All decisions made should adhere to financial regulations.
  20. To correspond with clients, their families and their representative/s in writing and/or verbally. Ensure that all correspondence, is answered within the Departments timescale.
  21. Undertake the duties of the post by utilising new technology as appropriate. In particular laptops, mobile phones and digital cameras. To have an advanced working knowledge of ContrOCC and a good working knowledge of other lT systems and software such Oracle, Excel, Word, BMaP, Caspar etc; To attend regular training sessions to maintain a higher level of knowledge of those systems. Make appropriate use of the internet for research or work purposes within the scope of the post.
  22. To undertake other duties within the scope of the post and as required by the Benefit Delivery Manager.
  23. To conduct all duties in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy (for example, being aware of and responding to clients’ needs in regard to cultural, ethnic and religious background, especially in their own home).