Client Affairs Officer

As a Client Affairs Officer within our Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS), you'll play an important role in supporting some of Suffolk's most vulnerable residents to manage their finances safely, securely and with dignity. Using your financial expertise, organisational skills and compassion, you'll help protect people's financial wellbeing and improve their quality of life. Your role and responsibilities This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults across Suffolk. As part of our Client Affairs team, you'll support individuals who are unable to manage their own financial affairs, helping to safeguard their finances and ensure they can access the support and services they need. Working within Suffolk County Council's corporate appointeeship and Court of Protection deputyship service, you'll be responsible for managing a diverse caseload and acting in the best interests of the people you support. This includes administering benefits, managing income and expenditure, overseeing banking arrangements and ensuring financial obligations are met. You'll also support Court of Protection applications, complete annual returns and undertake statutory visits where required. Using your financial knowledge and problem-solving skills, you'll help customers maintain financial stability through budgeting, debt management and careful financial planning. You'll process payments and invoices, complete financial declarations relating to Adult Social Care services, and maintain accurate records using a range of digital systems and databases Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You'll work closely with social workers, families, support providers, landlords, utility companies and other partner organisations to resolve issues, manage risk and achieve the best possible outcomes for customers. You'll also identify and respond appropriately to financial risks, discrepancies and safeguarding concerns, while contributing to service improvements and helping the team deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service., If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team The Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS) sits within Adult Social Care and helps residents maximise their income, manage their finances and access the support they need. Our service provides financial assessments, direct payment support, debt recovery, deferred payment arrangements and specialist financial advice for vulnerable adults across Suffolk. Within Client Affairs, we support people whose financial affairs are managed through DWP appointeeships and Court of Protection deputyships. Our work has a direct and lasting impact, helping to ensure people remain financially secure, protected and able to access the services they need. You'll join a supportive and knowledgeable team that values collaboration, continuous learning and innovation. We embrace flexible working and encourage everyone to share ideas that help us continually improve the services we provide to Suffolk residents., Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the . 1.Focusing on your previous employment and experience, please explain how you have developed the skills and knowledge required to successfully carry out this role. 2. Describe a real situation from your professional experience within the last two years where you supported a vulnerable adult or someone experiencing significant difficulties. Please describe:

• Their circumstances
• How you adapted your communication style
• Any barriers you had to overcome
• The result of your intervention
• What you learned from the experience
3.Describe a specific occasion within the last 12 months when you had several competing deadlines and conflicting demands. Please include:
• A breakdown of the competing priorities
• The approach you took to prioritisation
• Any deadlines that could not be moved
• How you communicated with stakeholders
• The final outcome, This authority 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. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
  
  We're looking for someone who is organised, compassionate and committed to making a positive difference. You'll be confident managing financial information, building relationships and delivering excellent customer service.
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An understanding of Adult Social Care and the needs of vulnerable adults.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using digital systems, databases and spreadsheets.
• Sound judgement, with an understanding of risk management, confidentiality and data protection.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to achieving positive outcomes.
  
  As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day