Lead Practitioner – Customer Finance (INTERNAL) in London

This position is open to internal candidates only. Any applications received from external candidates will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

About the role

The Council is seeking to recruit into the role of Lead Practitioner – Customer Finance. This is an exciting opportunity to manage and support the Deputyship & Appointeeship Officers, who manage the financial affairs of vulnerable adults in Barnet. The purpose of this role is to provide specialist professional advice and support in respect of deputyship and appointeeship, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Best Interest decision making and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Deputyship Standards. You will be undertaking Mental Capacity Assessments where there is no allocated social worker and a Deputyship application needs to be made. You will promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development of staff across Communities, Adults and Health to enhance the quality of practice and staff wellbeing and the experience of residents for whom we are applying for Deputyship or Appointeeship.

About you

• Professional qualifications in Social Work and registered with Social Work England
• Fully competent to Senior Social Worker level under the Social Worker National Competency Framework
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Knowledge of appointeeship and deputyship and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 / Best Interest decisions and the Court of Protection process for applying for Deputyship for Property & Affairs
• Proven depth and breadth of professional experience in case management, handling complex cases in a highly professional and effective manner
• Extensive knowledge and application of adult social care legislation and policies necessary to deliver complex services to adults and carers
• Proven effective skills in complex case supervision and developing and training staff in best practice.

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Sue Friar - susan.friar@barnet.gov.uk

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed. Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.