Financial Assessments Review Officer Apprentice

Financial Assessments Review Officer Apprentice

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Financial Assessments Review Officer Apprentice to join our Adult Social Care Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, 18-month Fixed Term Contract.

As the Financial Assessment Review Officer Apprentice, you will play a key role in providing high quality support to the Financial Assessment and Payments team. This role will include reviewing customer contributions towards the cost of their care and ensuring any entitlement to welfare benefits and allowances are maximised.

You will check information is correct and that customer charges are based on up-to-date information – in line with the Council’s policy and the Care Act.

Apprenticeship

The successful candidate will undertake the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship delivered by Impact Futures.

The postholder will need to be confident with the use of Microsoft Office and be willing to learn new systems. You will be an excellent communicator, self-motivated with a positive outlook, and have excellent attention to detail.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of days 25 (rising to 30 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more! 

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out financial assessments reviews and annual reviews under the Council’s Charging Policies and other legal frameworks, through desk-based work, in accordance with defined legislation, procedures and timescales so the Council may correctly charge for social services care packages, respite and residential care.
• Following process and procedure as per the Care Act 2014
• Being able to communicate with colleagues and customers in an easy-to-understand language
• To proactively identify service improvements, making recommendations to improve overall service delivery and customer service or working practices with knowledge of legislative requirements, quality assurance objectives and good practice. This may include contributing to development of IT systems to support improvement.
• Ensure the review of the assessments are dealt with correctly and in a timely manner, giving advice and guidance as required.
• Liaise with legal services in order to seek advice on complex legal issues relating to financial assessment reviews, where appropriate

Candidate requirements:

• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
• Good IT skills including Office software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams.
• Ability to actively listen to extract and assess important information.
• Experience within a customer focused service providing excellent customer service.
• Experience of working with vulnerable customers
• Experience of administering processes to tight timescales and with a high level of accuracy.
• Previous experience of working in an office environment.
• Able to work with budget holders on a high-level basis
• Full Driving License & access to own car

Apprenticeship requirements:

You must have been a UK, EEA, or EU resident for at least the past three years to undertake this training programme.

If you do not have a level 2 or equivalent in Maths and English, you will be required to work towards achieving these qualifications as part of your apprenticeship.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you think this role would suit you and you would like further information, please contact: Frances Jewson Frances.Jewson@wokingham.gov.uk or Lynn Smith Lynn.Smith@wokingham.gov

Closing Date for Applications:  11pm, 16 February 2025

Interview Date: w/c 24 February 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful.  Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.