Job Description

PLYMOUTH HIGHBURY TRUST

APPOINTEESHIP SERVICE

APPOINTEE REPRESENTATIVE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to:

Appointeeship Team Leader/Chief of Staff

Hours:

Minimum 24per week.

Salary: 13.00 - 13.52 per hour depending on experience

Purpose of the job

To provide a specialist appointee service for people with learning disabilities, which will support, represent and advocate according to individual need for issues related to personal finance, benefits, debts and living expenses.

Main Duties

Provide Administrative support to the Team Leader/Manager Ensure a client account is held/opened for each individual client through the Trust's banking arrangements. Ensure full and accurate accounts are kept for each individual client. Ensure all clients receive their personal allowance in the manner and the frequency agreed. Ensure all clients bills are paid in a timely manner. Ensure sufficient funds remain in accounts for the paying of bills etc. Ensure petty cash is maintained, replenished and accurately recorded Provide full cover for the service in the absence of the Team Leader Assist clients to manage their finances appropriately and live within their means.

Assist the Team to:

Appointeeship

Ensure referrals received are legitimate and the person referred is entitled to receive the Service. Assessing clients personal detail to allow an application for appointeeship. Apply to Department of Work & Pensions for appointeeship. Check on progress of application at timely intervals. Once appointeeship approved ensure client is on correct benefits, make any further applications as necessary. Continually monitor individual clients to ensure benefits are received and financial thresholds are within limits.

Debt Management

Assess any debts clients may have. Negotiate with financial agencies for client to pay debt at a rate affordable to them. Discuss with clients outcome of negotiations and planning to prevent further debt.

Client Database

Ensure accurate, up to date records are kept for each individual client within the database notes. All actions taken on behalf of the client are to be recorded at the time to ensure other staff know the status of the client upon query. (e.g. record all conversations with debt collection agencies, DWP, Care Managers etc.)

Audit

To carry out spot check audits of personal allowance managed by Care Providers. Assist independent auditor in a formal annual audit of 10% of client accounts.

General

Attend client reviews as requested by the Team Leader/Manager. Ensure clients dignity, independence, privacy, choice and best interest are paramount at all times. Any other duties required by your manager commensurate with the role.

Plymouth Highbury Trust

APPOINTEE REPRESENTATIVE

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge

To have an interest in and an understanding of basic finance.

Essential

To have an understanding and knowledge of appointeeship principles and the benefits system.

Essential

Understanding of financial capacity and the Mental Capacity Act

Desirable

Skills

Ability to listen and have good verbal and written communication
skills.

Essential

Ability to prioritise workloads.

Essential

Ability to promote the rights, choice and independence of people with learning disabilities

Essential

Highly motivated and able to work under own initiative without close supervision.

Essential

Effective organisational skills.

Essential

Information Technology skills.

Essential

Experience

Experience of Benefit systems, applying for & managing Universal Credit/ESA/PIP/Pension Credit etc for a number of clients at one time

Essential

Experience of Social Services, Health Services, Voluntary Sector

Desirable

Experience of networking, appropriately challenging and negotiating.

Desirable

Experience of using Total Communication and working in a Person Centred way.

Desirable

Experience of working with people with Learning Disabilities.

Desirable

Personal Qualities

Ability to work under pressure.

Essential

To be flexible and able to work occasional unsociable hours

Desirable

To have use of a vehicle.

Desirable

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 13.00-13.52 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 24 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

Applying for and managing DWP benefits: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/07/2025
Reference ID: App Rep