The Client Finances Team in Reading Borough Council's Adult Social Care service is recruiting an Income and Recovery Officer. The post recovers outstanding care invoice arrears, agrees affordable repayment plans and points residents towards welfare benefits and debt advice. The 37-hour week can be worked hybrid, though interviews are held in person at the Civic Centre. Income collection or debt recovery experience is preferred, alongside knowledge of arrears procedures.
What the job involves
- Recover outstanding Adult Social Care invoice arrears through action that follows legislation, policy and procedure
- Negotiate affordable, realistic repayment arrangements with customers facing financial difficulty
- Process billing, invoicing and payments accurately and within agreed timescales
- Respond to enquiries by phone, email, in person and digital channels, resolving at first contact where possible
- Advise on welfare benefits, financial support and debt advice, and signpost to appropriate services
- Keep accurate customer records and detailed case notes to support decisions and recovery action
- Work with internal teams and external agencies to resolve complex enquiries
- Handle sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations with empathy and respect
Skills & knowledge
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to interpret procedures and explain information clearly and accurately
- Good IT skills, including databases and spreadsheets
- Accurate record keeping and managing own workload
- Commitment to equality, confidentiality and excellent customer service
Other
- Flexible, reliable and collaborative approach, using own initiative
Nice to have
- Experience in income collection, debt recovery, financial administration or a similar customer-facing role
- Understanding of arrears recovery procedures and relevant legislation
What's offered
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with service, with the option to buy extra leave
- Wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Life assurance at three times annual salary for LGPS members
- On-site day nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season ticket loan for rail or bus travel to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme, with the monthly fee covering insurance, servicing and road tax
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in Reading
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
