Job summary WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS VIA NHS JOBS. TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO OUR CAREERS SITE https://fa-euxi-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/3769/?utm_mediumjobshare/details?sTypeNhsJobs/reference/3769 Salary:£36,124 - £37,938 Hours per week:37 hours Interview date:Thursday 13 February 2025 Court of Protection Protecting Finances, Promoting Wellbeing This is a varied and interesting role with a range of duties which ensures that the best interest of our clients isserved at all times and that their money is used to give them the best possible quality of life. Main duties of the job As a Deputyship Officer,you will manage a caseload distributed by the Team Manager and be authorised to make decisions relating to the property and finances of the service users. This includes decisions relating today to day finances, debts, investments, property sales andentering into and/orterminating tenancies. You will liaise with the clients, theircarers and other professionalsin accordance with the code of practice. You willbe responsible forsubmitting applications to the Court of Protection for the Council to become a clients deputy for property and affairs. You will work with the Court of Protection andsubmit annual reports to the Office of the Public Guardian,in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. With the chance to gain a recognised qualification through the Association of Public Authority Deputies (APAD), this role offers a clear path to personal and professional growth. Although this role is based in Trowbridge, you willbe required to travel around Wiltshire and outlying areas. With a customer focused approach to your work, you should have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the confidence to work independently. We would also be interested to hear from candidates that have experience in benefits and/or Court of Protection work. About us Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right. Date posted 27 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £36,124 to £37,938 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number F0041-3769 Job locations County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Job description Job responsibilities The role of the deputyship officer is to exercise and administer the Order for property and financial affairs as issued by the Court of Protection in relation to clients of Wiltshire Council The deputyship officer is authorised to make all decisions relating to the property and affairs of the client on their behalf as they have been deemed mentally incapable of making these decisions for themselves. The postholder will be wholly responsible for their client caseload throughout the period in which the client is support by the Court of Protection. The Deputyship officer exercises and administers the authorisation of the court order with full consultation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, The deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (in force April 2009) and the Mental Health Act 2007 to support them in making decisions on behalf of vulnerable clients to manage all aspects relating to their financial affairs within the legal framework of the Financial Services Authority. They are governed by the Office of the Public Guardian, ensuring that the OPG standards are met. The post holder has full responsibility of managing its client bases financial affairs on a day to day basis, ensuring they always act in their best interests. Making all decisions on behalf of the client with regards to how their income and expenditure is managed ensuring the safety, security and best interest of the client is met. Assessing a clients financial position requires detailed investigation and reconciliation of their financial status. This is then evaluated and interpreted to give a status on their financial affairs which forms the basis of the service then provided by the deputyship officer and the extent of their own involvement in this management. The role is multifaceted and requires constant liaison and cross agency meetings with other service providers and agencies to meet all the clients needs i.e. Social Workers, Advocates, Benefits Agency, Adult placement units, Solicitors etc. Specific duties and responsibilities include: Manage a caseload of deputyship cases and appointeeship cases that are complex i.e. those that involve high levels of debt. Work closely with other relevant parties such as health professional, family members, advocates, friends etc and evaluate all options before reaching a decision. Due to the nature of our client base many of our clients have a tendency towards unpredictable behaviour which can be aggressive, emotional and abusive. This can occur during face to face meetings or over the telephone. The role will also be communicating with close relatives during the mourning period regarding the sensitive and emotive subject of the deceaseds finances. Collate and prepare the information required for all applications to the Court of Protection and provide annual financial statements to the Office of Public Guardian on behalf of the Registered Deputy of Wiltshire Council for clients with a mental health disability or for those who are deemed incapacitated to manage their own financial affairs by a Medical certificate. Meeting with care-coordinators, members of the family, friends, advocates etc to obtain sufficient information to establish the nature and extent of the service users total financial resources (including any income from State or occupational pensions, investments, trusts, and capital such as bank and building society accounts, shares, land or property, etc.) Investigate the financial history of the patient, establishing, where possible, a pattern of behaviour to establish guidance on the management of their financial affairs in the future. Responsible for identifying any safeguarding or legal issues e.g. evaluate any recent spending to ensure that the client was not financially abused in the lead up to their diagnosis and if such evidence is found to refer as appropriate. Consult with and represent the Council in all interactions necessary with statutory bodies both internal and external to ensure that the best interests of the client is maintained i.e. Office of the Public Guardian, Care Co-ordinators, Department for Work and Pensions, Local Authorities, Wiltshire Finance Team, Social Care staff, Legal Bodies, Financial Institutions, Police, Court of Protection. Manage a clients property and capital in their best interest and in adherence to the Code of Practice. To sell, rent out, vacate a property belonging to the client on their behalf under the jurisdiction of the Extended First General Order. Instruct and consult with property agents, auctioneers and solicitors in carrying out this role. To accept or decline offers in relation to the sale of property. To negotiate terms of sale on behalf of the client. To terminate and negotiate new tenancy agreements on behalf of a client. Visit all clients with Care Manager at the inception of all new cases to determine how the clients and departments requirements will be best managed and to attend further review meetings. To visit all Deputyship clients annually or whenever directed by the Court of Protection. Ensure all the clients financial legal obligations are met and maintained at all times such as tax and income return. Consult with appropriate professionals on all relevant client matters where specialist professional guidance, interpretation or action is required such as solicitors, investments advice etc. Maintain contact with the Department for Work and Pensions, demonstrating knowledge of current benefits and the procedures relating to Corporate Appointeeship cases. Job description Job responsibilities The role of the deputyship officer is to exercise and administer the Order for property and financial affairs as issued by the Court of Protection in relation to clients of Wiltshire Council The deputyship officer is authorised to make all decisions relating to the property and affairs of the client on their behalf as they have been deemed mentally incapable of making these decisions for themselves. The postholder will be wholly responsible for their client caseload throughout the period in which the client is support by the Court of Protection. The Deputyship officer exercises and administers the authorisation of the court order with full consultation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, The deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (in force April 2009) and the Mental Health Act 2007 to support them in making decisions on behalf of vulnerable clients to manage all aspects relating to their financial affairs within the legal framework of the Financial Services Authority. They are governed by the Office of the Public Guardian, ensuring that the OPG standards are met. The post holder has full responsibility of managing its client bases financial affairs on a day to day basis, ensuring they always act in their best interests. Making all decisions on behalf of the client with regards to how their income and expenditure is managed ensuring the safety, security and best interest of the client is met. Assessing a clients financial position requires detailed investigation and reconciliation of their financial status. This is then evaluated and interpreted to give a status on their financial affairs which forms the basis of the service then provided by the deputyship officer and the extent of their own involvement in this management. The role is multifaceted and requires constant liaison and cross agency meetings with other service providers and agencies to meet all the clients needs i.e. Social Workers, Advocates, Benefits Agency, Adult placement units, Solicitors etc. Specific duties and responsibilities include: Manage a caseload of deputyship cases and appointeeship cases that are complex i.e. those that involve high levels of debt. Work closely with other relevant parties such as health professional, family members, advocates, friends etc and evaluate all options before reaching a decision. Due to the nature of our client base many of our clients have a tendency towards unpredictable behaviour which can be aggressive, emotional and abusive. This can occur during face to face meetings or over the telephone. The role will also be communicating with close relatives during the mourning period regarding the sensitive and emotive subject of the deceaseds finances. Collate and prepare the information required for all applications to the Court of Protection and provide annual financial statements to the Office of Public Guardian on behalf of the Registered Deputy of Wiltshire Council for clients with a mental health disability or for those who are deemed incapacitated to manage their own financial affairs by a Medical certificate. Meeting with care-coordinators, members of the family, friends, advocates etc to obtain sufficient information to establish the nature and extent of the service users total financial resources (including any income from State or occupational pensions, investments, trusts, and capital such as bank and building society accounts, shares, land or property, etc.) Investigate the financial history of the patient, establishing, where possible, a pattern of behaviour to establish guidance on the management of their financial affairs in the future. Responsible for identifying any safeguarding or legal issues e.g. evaluate any recent spending to ensure that the client was not financially abused in the lead up to their diagnosis and if such evidence is found to refer as appropriate. Consult with and represent the Council in all interactions necessary with statutory bodies both internal and external to ensure that the best interests of the client is maintained i.e. Office of the Public Guardian, Care Co-ordinators, Department for Work and Pensions, Local Authorities, Wiltshire Finance Team, Social Care staff, Legal Bodies, Financial Institutions, Police, Court of Protection. Manage a clients property and capital in their best interest and in adherence to the Code of Practice. To sell, rent out, vacate a property belonging to the client on their behalf under the jurisdiction of the Extended First General Order. Instruct and consult with property agents, auctioneers and solicitors in carrying out this role. To accept or decline offers in relation to the sale of property. To negotiate terms of sale on behalf of the client. To terminate and negotiate new tenancy agreements on behalf of a client. Visit all clients with Care Manager at the inception of all new cases to determine how the clients and departments requirements will be best managed and to attend further review meetings. To visit all Deputyship clients annually or whenever directed by the Court of Protection. Ensure all the clients financial legal obligations are met and maintained at all times such as tax and income return. Consult with appropriate professionals on all relevant client matters where specialist professional guidance, interpretation or action is required such as solicitors, investments advice etc. Maintain contact with the Department for Work and Pensions, demonstrating knowledge of current benefits and the procedures relating to Corporate Appointeeship cases. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience working in a health, social or financial related field. Recognised professional qualification with APAD (Association of Public Authority Deputies) or the willingness to achieve this qualification. Excellent ICT skills, spread sheets, database, processing financial information. Good foundation knowledge of mental illnesses and their implications A thorough knowledge and understanding of the: o Mental Capacity Act 2005 o Code of Practice o Mental Health Act 2007 o Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 o Data Protection o Human Rights Act o Vulnerable Adult guidelines o Department for Work and Pensions rules and regulations including reporting systems. o Protocols involving multi-agency consultation and authorities i.e., police, OPG etc o Health and Safety Laws Detailed technical knowledge of financial legislation and procedures relating to the management of clients accounts and debts in their best interest. Significant experience of finances such as account reconciliation, understand of debt and implications. Experience of managing a varied case load with frequent changes of priority. Proven ability to work in an environment where caseload requirements are unpredictable in nature with conflicting and changing demands. Proven ability to communicate with people at all levels, significant experience of managing complex and difficult conversations. Proven ability to build strong resilient relationships with internal and external partners and key stakeholders. Significant experience of analysing complex data from numerous sources, using knowledge and experience to evaluate information to support decision making. Clear communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to provide clear and concise information. Demonstratable experience of dealing with difficult situations in a calm and productive way. Ability to determine priorities, manage time and ensure deadlines are met Experience Essential Some relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment. Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation in the area of specialism. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Good knowledge of other areas of the authority relevant to the service. Knowledge of wider sector / external influences. Experience of representing the work area externally Sound communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, proven ability to understand and explain sometimes complex technical / legal / professional issues to a range of audiences. Research and analysis skills to contribute towards the diagnosis of problems/issues and the identification of solutions/recommendations Proven ability to conduct formal interviews and / or take legal statements Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels. Good literacy, numeracy and report writing skills Good planning and organisational skills, with proven ability to prioritise and co-ordinate workload, monitor and evaluate work, to ensure deadlines are achieved. Project management skills and experience Experience in the use of specialist equipment / systems / techniques relevant to the role. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience working in a health, social or financial related field. Recognised professional qualification with APAD (Association of Public Authority Deputies) or the willingness to achieve this qualification. Excellent ICT skills, spread sheets, database, processing financial information. Good foundation knowledge of mental illnesses and their implications A thorough knowledge and understanding of the: o Mental Capacity Act 2005 o Code of Practice o Mental Health Act 2007 o Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2009 o Data Protection o Human Rights Act o Vulnerable Adult guidelines o Department for Work and Pensions rules and regulations including reporting systems. o Protocols involving multi-agency consultation and authorities i.e., police, OPG etc o Health and Safety Laws Detailed technical knowledge of financial legislation and procedures relating to the management of clients accounts and debts in their best interest. Significant experience of finances such as account reconciliation, understand of debt and implications. Experience of managing a varied case load with frequent changes of priority. Proven ability to work in an environment where caseload requirements are unpredictable in nature with conflicting and changing demands. Proven ability to communicate with people at all levels, significant experience of managing complex and difficult conversations. Proven ability to build strong resilient relationships with internal and external partners and key stakeholders. Significant experience of analysing complex data from numerous sources, using knowledge and experience to evaluate information to support decision making. Clear communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to provide clear and concise information. Demonstratable experience of dealing with difficult situations in a calm and productive way. Ability to determine priorities, manage time and ensure deadlines are met Experience Essential Some relevant professional experience post qualification in a similar work environment. Expert knowledge of relevant policy, systems, work practices, professional guidelines, legislation in the area of specialism. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Good knowledge of other areas of the authority relevant to the service. Knowledge of wider sector / external influences. Experience of representing the work area externally Sound communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, proven ability to understand and explain sometimes complex technical / legal / professional issues to a range of audiences. Research and analysis skills to contribute towards the diagnosis of problems/issues and the identification of solutions/recommendations Proven ability to conduct formal interviews and / or take legal statements Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels. Good literacy, numeracy and report writing skills Good planning and organisational skills, with proven ability to prioritise and co-ordinate workload, monitor and evaluate work, to ensure deadlines are achieved. Project management skills and experience Experience in the use of specialist equipment / systems / techniques relevant to the role. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council Address County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)