Direct Payments Advisor

Job Description

Important Information for Current Barnet Council EmployeesWhere possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the Opportunity Marketplace (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process.
About Barnet CouncilBarnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.
About the role

The Direct Payments Advisor role supports the delivery of duties under the Care Act 2014 by enabling individuals to exercise choice and control over how their assessed care and support needs are met.

The role includes:

• To provide advice and support to individuals receiving a Direct Payment, including the set-up of Direct Payments and advising on the responsibilities involved in employing staff and promoting good employment practice.

• To financially monitor individuals’ Direct Payment accounts, including identifying and recovering surpluses where appropriate.

• To develop, promote, and support the take-up and use of Direct Payments, enabling people to organise and manage their own support packages.

• To engage with social care teams to provide advice and support on the set-up and ongoing management of Direct Payments.

Please click here to download the Job description for this role. (Right-click and select “Open in new tab” so you can keep the job description open while completing your application)
About you

You will be a customer-focused and well-organised professional, delivering an efficient and responsive Direct Payments service. You will support residents, families and representatives to set up and manage Direct Payments, ensuring processes are clear, accessible and compliant with council policies and statutory guidance.

You will have strong administrative, numeracy and communication skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload and maintain accurate records. You will be confident handling sensitive information and applying policies and procedures, particularly in relation to financial monitoring, audit requirements and the appropriate use of public funds.

You will be able to analyse information, monitor accounts and take appropriate action to resolve issues, including identifying risks and addressing misuse of funds

You will work collaboratively with colleagues and partners, providing clear advice and taking a practical, solution-focused approach to support residents and improve service delivery. You will be committed to delivering high-quality, resident-focused services, reflecting the Council’s values of caring, learning, inclusion and collaboration.

Experience of Direct Payments, customer finance or social care is desirable.

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well- being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Melanie.Day-Hancock@Barnet.gov.uk
System notice: Some dates shown on our online application system (such as “Apply Before”) appear in US date format (MM/DD/YYYY) due to Oracle system settings.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool to support your application as a reasonable adjustment, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn, escalated to counter Fraud for further investigation and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.
To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.
Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.