The Financial Support Service, part of the Department of Adult Social Care, is based at Britannia House in Bradford's city centre and is made up of four teams with specific functions linked to the Department's responsibilities set out in in accordance to The Care Act 2014, The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014 and the Care and Support (Direct Payment) Regulations 2014. We are looking to recruit a Principal Contracts Officer the Contracts Team of the Financial Support Service , which is responsible for issuing contracts to care homes, making payments to direct payment recipients, operating the Deferred Payments Scheme and providing information to service users regarding their assessed contribution to be paid towards the cost of their service. The post holder will be required to evidence they have a proven track record of leading projects in a constantly changing environment, experience of managing staff, finance and administration, providing advice and making decisions on complex matters, working on their own initiative, experience of managing in the public sector and having a thorough knowledge of The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014 and the Care and Support (Direct Payments) Regulations 2014. The main responsibilities of this role:

• To manage and be responsible for the maintenance of deadlines for payments to private and voluntary sector providers totaling in excess of £50M by authorising payments of accounts, orders and approve creditor payment batches for all Community Care services.
• To manage the operation of Direct Payments and Individual Service Fund schemes. Ensuring prompt and accurate payments to clients and timely audits of accounts and requests for unspent balances.
• To ensure that income collection and payments to creditors are processed accurately and that financial procedures and regulations are adhered to.
• To ensure that all debts relating to property are accurately assessed and that all debts to the Council are protected by a legal charge where appropriate.
• To ensure that systems and procedures are monitored and updated, and controls are in place to meet with Audit requirements.
• To provide information to budget holders and residents accurately and efficiently.
• To provide advice and guidance to the private and voluntary sector, clients, relatives, the general public, solicitors, banks, magistrates and the courts.
• To ensure Senior Contracts Officers determine day to day priorities to ensure the smooth flow of work throughout the section to meet targets and deadlines, advising them on areas outside normal guidelines.
• Will make decisions on complex assessment issues with considerable budgetary impact.
• Will regularly represent the Department on internal and external working groups and work closely with the Service Manager - Financial Support Services on establishing internal policies for new areas of work.
• Will regularly make decisions regarding client and council funds in areas of work which fall outside established guidelines.
• Responsible for the recruitment, training and workload of Senior Contracts Officers and Contracts Officer
• Deputise where appropriate for the Service Manager-Financial Support Services in their absence
  
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Equal Opportunities We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants. The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.