At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in making informed choices about their care and promote independence.
- Company: Bath and North East Somerset Council, a dynamic and creative organisation.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives and develop your skills.
- Other info: Embrace a role that values innovation and personal development.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to empowering others and enhancing their quality of life.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or direct payments, strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about supporting people with care and support needs to live the life they choose? If so, this job could be for you. An exciting role has arisen in the Adult Social Care directorate of Bath and North East Somerset Council. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Direct Payment Advisor to join our expanding direct payment service. You will play a vital role in advising both our adult social care teams and the individuals they support by promoting our direct payments offer, enabling people to live independently and make informed choices about the care they receive. We are committed to being a dynamic and creative organisation, working hard to think differently about how we approach our adult social care offer. Our direct payment work represents our strong ethos of person‑centred interventions.
Responsibilities and Key Work:
- To help shape and develop the direct payments service to support individuals and enhance their choice and independence.
- To provide direct payments guidance and support to practitioners across Adult Social Care.
- To assist service users with understanding financial responsibilities, including budgeting, payroll, and employment of personal assistants.
- To maintain accurate records and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
- To develop, implement, and review person‑centred support plans that promote wellbeing, independence, and least‑restrictive options. This may include face to face home visits.
- To provide professional advice, early intervention, prevention, and advocacy, enabling access to community resources and local support to reduce or delay formal care needs.
- To progress and maintain our direct payments 'Champions' programme and direct payments drop‑in service.
- Be forward thinking, innovative and self‑driven.
- Have strong organisational and inter‑personal skills.
- Be an excellent communicator, in terms of clear and effective verbal and written communication. This includes active listening and providing constructive and accurate feedback.
- Be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and thinking of an experienced Direct Payment Advisor or Social Care Practitioner.
- Demonstrate a passion for Adult Social Care and promoting self‑directed support including direct payments.
- Be committed to your own continuous professional development.
About Disability Confident:
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.
Direct Payment Advisor in Keynsham employer: BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
Bath and North East Somerset Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. As a Direct Payment Advisor, you will not only have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with care needs but also benefit from a culture that prioritises professional development and innovation. With a commitment to person-centred care and a focus on employee growth, this role offers a rewarding career path in a dynamic organisation located in a vibrant community.
Contact Details:
BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Direct Payment Advisor in Keynsham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Direct Payment Advisor in Keynsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
