Direct Payments Advisor - Req24455

Job title: Advisor – Leeds DP & PA Support Hub

Salary:  £26,421 - £28,770 (pro rata)

Hours: 37 hrs per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the developing Leeds Direct Payment & Personal Assistant Support Hub. As an DP & PA Advisor you’ll thrive on working with people across the city to have greater choice and control over how they meet their care and support needs.

You will work across Adult Social Care, Children and Families Services, and the NHS, supporting disabled and older people to arrange and manage their own support, including recruiting and employing their own Personal Assistants (support workers). You will also work with Health and Social Care teams leading and advising on Direct Payments. If you are a well organised and empathetic person, happy working both on your own and as part of a team, comfortable working with a range of IT software and systems, ideally with experience of working in Social Care or another health-related sector then this could suit you.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As an Advisor, you will bring to the role:

• Ability to work with a range of different groups of people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively manage own time and workload.
• Ability to explain concepts and information to customers and other workers in a supportive and enabling manner.
• Experience of supporting individuals towards achieving their outcomes. 
• Ability to liaise with and develop constructive working relationships with a range of workers in statutory, voluntary and public organisations.

About the role 

As an Advisor with the Leeds DP & PA Support Hub you will not only be part of developing team but working with many people within Leeds City Council and the NHS to drive and shape the future of Direct Payments and the personalisation of support for disabled and older people in Leeds. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Andrew McDermott, Call 07734314606 or email Andrew.mcdermott@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose 

• As part of the Leeds Direct Payments & Personal Assistants Support Hub team you will lead on all aspects of DP’s in both Health & Social Care setting for Adults, Children and Children’s Families
• Work directly with service users and potential users of Direct Payments.
• Provide a service that enables people to set up, control and manage their support needs, with daily living tasks, social support and personal care.
• Work alongside Adult Health Social Care, Learning Disabilities team, NHS and Children’s Social Care to provide a support service to meet customer outcomes. 
• Adopt a strengths-based, person centred and flexible approach that accounts for possible changing or fluctuating needs.
• Support individuals to exercise choice and control in a manner that accounts for the individual’s circumstances, for example any needs related to a disability or health condition.
• Accurate completion of Direct Payment documents and financial systems to get the best value out of the Leeds pound and provide year on year efficiencies wherever possible.   
• Work with all partners to ensure DP funds (public sector) are used appropriately and customer needs are being met.
• Engage in appropriate LCC/NHS initiatives to increase the numbers of Direct Payments across the city
• Engage in multi-agency partnership working, developing and actively participating in targeted initiatives that directly contribute to the delivery Direct Payments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on all aspects of DP’s (including PP Card and Audit requirements) to people who use, and could potentially use, Direct Payments.
• Lead, advise and support on all DP processes and support required for all funding cohorts (e.g. A&H, C&F, LD, LD CHC, PHB Adults, PHB Children, and Education) and be a nominated point of contact for social work teams as agreed by Service Development Manager/Team Leader
• Provide a regular duty officer service and refer to appropriate services and deal with duty cases on a regular basis.
• Self-manage allocations through the team’s self-allocation process, maximising caseloads by prioritising tasks and working effectively.  
• Support individuals through all aspects of the Direct Payments Process ensuring they are aware of their responsibilities and all relevant documentation is completed
• Support individuals to successfully employ PA’s including recruitment, appropriate employment checks, understanding aspects of legal and employment law and maintaining good employer/employee relationships
• Be accountable for financial aspects of a Direct Payment to include ensuring associated documents are completed, accurate costing information and start dates are inputted into the Client Information system and suspension of payments is managed in a timely way ensuring best use of the Leeds pound. 
• Complete a 6-week review with the DP holder investigating if monies received are correct, how the DP is being used, identify any issues and access support to remedy any issues.
• Support customers to access/establish payroll support and/or Managed Bank Account services.
• Provide emotional support to customers who disclose sensitive and confidential information, escalate where appropriate, and signpost to additional services where required.
• Signpost customers to other Local Authority services that can assist people to achieve independent living, as required.
• Prepare specialised reports, accurate costing sheets and referrals for future and ongoing funding of Direct Payments.
• Contribute to the promotion of improved outcomes for individuals, families, carers, and groups from diverse and disadvantaged communities.
• To actively promote Direct Payments including delivering presentations.
• Work with the LCC/NHS teams to develop policies, procedures, and guidelines necessary to run a support service
• Follow internal procedures, maintain records, and carry out administrative tasks, including financial procedures associated with Local Authority and Health Direct Payments.
• Arrange access to appropriate training for Personal Assistants, as required.
• Develop & facilitate PA peer support networks.
• Contribute and develop a diverse and inclusive local PA Market.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to create and maintain accurate financial records, prepare reports and follow administrative procedures.
• Ability to explain concepts and information to customers and other workers in a supportive and enabling manner.
• Ability to research, collate and distribute relevant information.
• Ability to assess need. 
• Experience of supporting individuals towards achieving their outcomes. 
• Ability to effectively manage own time and workload.
• Ability to undertake diverse workloads with competing deadlines.
• Ability to work with a range of different groups of people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to liaise with and develop constructive working relationships with a range of workers in statutory, voluntary and public organisations.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and contribute effectively to team meetings. 
• Ability to pass information effectively, accurately and concisely between customers, carers, colleagues, line management and other organisations.
• Experience of managing financial or funding processes.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately with figures.
• Ability to use computers and Microsoft Office packages.
• General knowledge of current policies, legislation and trends in relation to disabled people.
• Knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities attached to being an employer and managing employees.
• Understanding of the role and responsibilities of one or more statutory agencies.

 

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of a Direct Payments scheme and of the need for associated support services.
• General knowledge of current policies, legislation and trends in relation to disabled people. 
• Knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities attached to being an employer and managing employees. 
• Understanding of the role and responsibilities of one or more statutory agencies.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Knowledge of strength based approaches
• Providing assistance or support to people on a formal level from within a statutory or voluntary service or organisation. 

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