Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join the Court of Protection Team as a court of protection officer on a full time and permanent basis. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with people and would like to make a difference to people’s lives by supporting vulnerable adults. This role will be based within a dynamic and forward thinking team working across the office and at home.

 The Court of Protection Team works to protect the finances for vulnerable adults in Southend. We act on instruction from the Court of Protection and Department for Work and Pensions in receiving and paying out money and also protecting property and belongings.

The ideal candidate will be able to use their initiative to work pro-actively in the team. The officer will take a lead in managing the online banking system and paying client bills. They will be responsible for the reconciliation of payments as well as the investigation and resolution of payments received in the suspense account. The role also includes the administration of the pre-paid card accounts and monitoring of spend as well as assessment of finances.

Excellent communication and people skills are essential because of the daily contact with vulnerable clients and their families, both on the telephone and face to face. These skills are also extended to social work professionals, the Court, and Department for Work and Pensions. You will liaise effectively in order to provide an efficient service, responding to queries in a helpful, timely and courteous manner. Attendance at multi agency meetings held according to Southend Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy may be necessary.

Candidates should be able to reconcile accounts and work with internet banking. Good IT skills are essential, including spreadsheets and letter writing. You will be subject to a DBS check.

To be successful in this role, it is essential that you have good levels of numeracy and literacy and possess the ability to analyse financial data. You need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills as you will be liaising with various stakeholders. You need to be able to work on your own as well as be part of a team and you must be able to manage your own workload. Previous experience of internet banking is highly desirable in this role.

Ability to use various MS packages especially Teams and Excel is vital to be successful in this role. Accounting / Finance background would be advantageous but not essential.

If you join the Council, you will enjoy a range of benefits including flexible working, salary sacrifice schemes, 25 days holiday in a full-time contract (excluding bank holidays) and excellent training and development opportunities. A full list of benefits provided by Southend-on-Sea City Council can be found on the Jobs at the council web page under the "Why Work for us Tab".

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please click here

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to. 

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. Southend-on-Sea city council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.