Deputyship Caseworker - Working for Essex

About the role

Deputyship Caseworker

Permanent, Full Time

£25,081 to £27,653 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Tuesday 15th July 2025 at 11.59pm

It is said that the quality of a society is determined by the quality and commitment to the care it provides the most vulnerable in it. Essex County Council has a vision to make the county a place which provides the very best quality of life for everyone who lives and works here, and we see the protection and care of the county’s most vulnerable adults as an absolute priority.

Deputyship forms a vital part of this. We’re there for when someone has nobody who’s willing or able to act on their behalf to manage their financial affairs when they no longer have the mental capacity to do so on their own. We protect them from financial abuse and support them to live a more independent, better-quality life. It’s hugely rewarding. Always interesting. And rarely are two days them same. And what’s more, you’re working for an organisation that really supports its employees. Training, work-life balance, and one that fosters genuine collaboration and teamwork.

To learn more about the role that the Deputyship team plays please view this video

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 1 or 2 days per week, with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired. Working Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm.

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The Opportunity

Essex County Council (ECC) has a vision to make our County a place which provides the best possible quality of life for all who live and work here. One of the key priorities is the protection of vulnerable adults. The Deputyship Team performs an innovative, exceptional, positive role in achieving this priority.

The Deputyship Team is appointed by The Court of Protection to protect and support the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in the County. Managing all aspects of the property and financial affairs of un-befriended people, who do not have the mental capacity to manage and safeguard their own financial affairs. A caseworker supports the team’s professional, experienced Case Officers and Team Manager to meet the standards expected of a public authority deputy so that our clients’ best interests are always met.

Working directly to Deputyship Case Officers, or managing a caseload of their own, a Deputyship Caseworker will be responsible for the following.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for reconciling and investigating queries on clients’ accounts to ensure high levels of safeguarding.
Responsible for scrutinising and paying clients’ bills in a timely manner to ensure excellent customer service.
To manage client’s affairs in accordance with standards expected of a public authority deputy.
To make, monitor and maintain state benefit claims for adults living in care homes.
To report changes in circumstances related to Universal Credit claims.To complete and maintain financial assessments for adults living in care homes.
Gain insight into clients to support best interest decisions.
Perform deputy visits in care homes.
Prepare annual deputy reports for adults living in care homes.
Making sure clients in care homes receive their personal expense allowance.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

Good understanding of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice, including an understanding of how the five statutory principles of the MCA are applied within working practices.
Good knowledge of The Care Act 2014, public authority funding and charging for care.
Working knowledge about claiming and maintaining Pension Credit and Universal Credit.

Desirable:

Knowledge about maintaining Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment claims for people living in care homes.
Working knowledge about charging for care.
Excellent communication skills with experience in writing clear and accurate letters, email, reports, decisions, and objective notes.
Experience of visiting vulnerable clients and their carers.

You will be keen to develop skills and knowledge within the role, and we welcome applications from workers in the care and social care industry, the DWP and other Local Authorities.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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