Lancashire is the fourth largest local authority in England spanning over a huge geographical area with a diverse range of communities. The County Council provides services to approximately 1.2 million people who live within Lancashire.

We have an excellent opportunity for someone who is highly motivated and ready to join our busy team in the role of a Personal Budget Assessment Officer (AO) within the Personal Budget Finance Team undertaking Personal Budget audit reviews for adults & children across Lancashire.

You need to demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively using interpersonal skills including the ability to exercise sensitivity and empathy at what could be a difficult time for the service user.

This role is designated as agile and is attached to an administrative base at Christ Church Precinct, Preston.  However currently the majority of our workforce are home-based, but this is a not a permanent arrangement.  In addition, the post holder may be required to attend training, team briefings, management task days and other meetings at other venues across the County.

You will be required to hold a full U.K driving licence and access to a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.  This is an essential car user post. 

It is essential as part of the application process that you provide a supporting statement which is your opportunity to evidence how your skills, knowledge and experience match what we are looking for based on the Person Specification and Role Profile attached and the information detailed. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

Working for the County Council also comes with benefits such as 25 paid annual leave days and in our service area we do not work on Bank Holidays. We provide and actively encourage self-development offering a wide range of training opportunities. We also offer a generous pension scheme.

 Key Accountabilities:

Responsible for conducting telephone or face to face home visits to complete Personal Budget audit/reviews.

Accountable for ensuring that all telephone calls or visits are conducted in an appropriate manner respecting the diverse needs and circumstances presented by service users and responding in a sensitive and supportive manner.

Responsible for liaising with colleagues across the Local Authority's Directorates to advise of service users requests and concerns and for signposting to relevant points of contact including partner agencies and advice centres as appropriate.

Accountable for meeting performance indicator outputs as defined by Head of Service.

To be able to work independently organising workload to ensure set targets are achieved within an allocated length of time.

Skills & Experience:

Substantial office experience at administrative level.

Experience of dealing with vulnerable people, social care service users and of working in a social care finance is not mandatory but may be advantageous.

A high degree of literacy and numeracy skills including an aptitude for working with figures.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. This includes writing formal letters when responding to complex cases in a word format as well as utilising excel spread sheets. The ability to write clear, concise, and accurate notes.

Ability to use Information Technology efficiently.

The ability to follow instructions and processes as well as offering new ideas and contributing towards improving the delivery of our service.

For an informal discussion regarding this role, please do not hesitate to contact either Hamza Desai (Personal Budget Team Leader) on 01772 536027 or Steven Leaf (Senior Financial Services Manager)  01772 531684

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, found on our website here

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description & Person Specification

Additional Information

• Minimum Salary: 22129
• Maximum Salary: 25927
• Pay Basis: Yearly
• Schedule Type: Full Time
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Hours: 37
• Closing Date: Sep 2, 2022