Job Description
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.
Are you passionate about supporting people with care and support needs to live the life they choose?
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Direct Payment Lead and Self Directed Support Lead to join our team in Bath and North East Somerset. In this role, you will play a vital part in support our operational teams and individuals by enhancing and promoting our Direct payments offer to support people to meet their care and support needs, enabling them to live independently and make informed choices.
We are committed to being a dynamic and creative Local Authority, working hard to think differently about how we approach our work with our residents. We are deeply committed to providing tailored high quality services and our practice is values-driven with a strong ethos of people-focused interventions.
About the Role
As a valued member of our ambitious team, you’ll be our Direct Payment/Self Directed Support Lead.
You’ll review and develop our approach to Self-Directed Support and Direct Payments, to make sure people are supported to live the life they choose to lead.
You’ll work closely with people with lived experience of seeking and drawing on support, and our operational teams, to help shape the future of our direct payments and self-directed support offer, tangibly benefitting the lives of local people.
Key Responsibilities:
- Help shape and develop the direct payments service to support individuals and enhance their independence.
- Provide direct payments guidance and support to practitioners across the Adult Care service.
- Assist service users with understanding financial responsibilities, including budgeting, payroll, and employment of personal assistants.
- Support individuals with the setup and ongoing management of direct payment arrangements.
- Deliver training sessions and workshops on managing direct payments effectively.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
About You
- Experience in social care, disability services, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of direct payments and personal budgets.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations relating to adult care and direct payments.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Commitment to person-centred approaches and supporting independent living.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to explain financial and employment matters in an accessible way.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- A commitment to promoting independence and choice for service users.
- Passion, commitment, and motivation to support the most vulnerable service users in our area
- IT skills to enable the operation of standard electronic systems
If you are passionate about supporting people to take control of their care and have the skills and experience to make a difference, we would love to hear from you!
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Ewa Zdebelak, Deputy Head of Social Care (Older People), on Ewa_Zdebelak@BATHNES.GOV.UK.
Interview date: TBC
About Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath & North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples live. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity
We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
Please note the Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register. This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered.