Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) Officer

Are you passionate about helping people access the financial support they’re entitled to? Do you have strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly? If so, this could be the role for you.

We’re looking for a Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) Officer to join our supportive Client Finance Services Team. You’ll help ensure that residents receiving care services are charged fairly, provide accurate benefits advice, and are supported to maximise their income.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:
You’ll carry out financial assessments for residents receiving chargeable adult social care services, including both non-residential and care home placements, in line with the Care Act 2014 and Council policies.

This will involve gathering and verifying detailed financial information such as income, Capital/savings property, and expenses, calculating accurate charges, and explaining these clearly to service users and their families so they fully understand how their contribution is worked out.

A key part of your role will be to provide welfare benefits checks to identify any unclaimed benefits and offer practical advice and assistance with applications. You’ll liaise closely with colleagues across Adult Social Care, Adult Social Care Income & Recovery Team, Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Legal Services to resolve queries, minimise debt, and ensure Financial assessments and billing processes run smoothly.

You’ll also act as the first point of contact for service users or families with questions about their Financial assessments, providing a professional and empathetic service across telephone, email, letter, and in-person meetings — including home visits where required.

You’ll maintain accurate financial records, inputting data into our case management systems within set timescales and keep up to date with relevant legislation and policy changes so your assessments remain accurate, and advice is current. Collaboration will be key, as you’ll work closely with other council teams and external agencies to ensure residents receive a joined-up, customer-focused service.

About You:
We’re looking for someone who can combine technical accuracy with a strong customer service approach. You will have:

• Experience in financial assessments, benefits advice, or a related role within social care, local government, or the voluntary sector
• Strong numeracy skills with the ability to interpret and apply complex regulations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex financial and legal information clearly and sensitively
• Experience using IT systems (such as Microsoft Office and case management software) to record, analyse, and report on financial data
• Strong organisational skills to manage a busy and varied caseload effectively
• A team player mindset with the ability to work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners

We offer excellent support, training, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

If you would like any more information, please contact Tracey Maskell – Entitlement and Assessment Manager (FAB) - tracey.maskell@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Monday 1st September 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.