At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference by delivering financial services to support adults with care needs.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a leading local authority in London committed to fairness and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a competitive salary with a local government pension.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with growth opportunities and a commitment to tackling inequality.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team making a tangible impact on residents' lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in adult social care, strong communication skills, and a knack for teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 38637 - 44937 £ per year.
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality, underpins all that we do.
Our Adult Social Care Division’s Personal Budgets and Client Finance (PB&CF) Unit is seeking a permanent Client Finance Caseworker to work as part of the Charging Team. Step into a role where you can make a tangible impact on people's lives every day! As a Client Finance Caseworker with Southwark Council, you'll join a vibrant team in the heart of London's diverse inner borough. We are passionately committed to our 'Fairer Futures for All' initiative, putting our residents and businesses at the forefront of our mission. Renowned for our ambition and innovation, Southwark Council stands as a leading light among London's local authorities.
Your role as a Client Finance Caseworker will be dynamic and fulfilling, focusing on delivering high-quality financial services that directly support adults with care needs. You'll be at the forefront of financial assessments, managing client contributions, and ensuring financial stability. Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, you will ensure the council's responsibilities are executed with excellence.
Work in a supportive and tight-knit team where learning and mutual growth are part of the daily routine. With an adult social care budget exceeding £120 million, your contributions will help provide innovative community services that empower residents to live healthier, safer, and more independent lives.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who is ready to make a real difference at the local level. You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- Expertise in adult social care services, including financial assessment and debt recovery.
- A proven track record in large, complex organisations, ideally within local government.
- Stellar interpersonal skills for building meaningful relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners.
- Proficiency with computer systems for managing reports and monitoring performance.
- Exceptional communication skills to engage a variety of audiences with confidence and clarity.
- A knack for managing your workload effectively, working creatively and collaboratively within a team.
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough.
For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
- Competitive Salary & Pension: Rewarding your hard work with a great package.
- Flexible Working: Balance your life with office days on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Generous Leave: Start with 28 days of annual leave, increasing to 36 with continuous service.
- Growth Opportunities: Access extensive training and development, both internally and externally.
Hours of Work: 36hrs Per Week (two days on site)
Location: 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH
Type of Contract: Permanent
DBS: Standard DBS required
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Salary Range (Full time equivalent): £38,637 - £44,937
Client Finance Caseworker employer: Southwark Council
As a leading organisation in public health, we offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment where your contributions directly impact the health and wellbeing of the Southwark community. With a commitment to professional development, our employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, fostering a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that address health inequalities. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in public health through collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Finance Caseworker
✨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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Southwark 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 Client Finance Caseworker
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 Southwark Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark 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 Southwark 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.