Vulnerable Adults Finance Officer


Company:	Suffolk County Council
Salary:	from £29,542 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Ipswich, IP1 5PB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	6 Oct 2026
Closing date:	19 Oct 2026

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Summary

- Suffolk County Council

- Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5PB - Hybrid

- Salary: £29,542 per annum (pro rata for part time)

- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

- Contract: Permanent

This role is being advertised as Vulnerable Adults Finance Officer for advertising purposes. If appointed, you will be employed as Client Affairs Officer.

At Suffolk County Council, every role is an opportunity to make a real difference.

As Vulnerable Adults Finance Officer within our Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS), you will play an important role in supporting some of Suffolk's most vulnerable residents to manage their finances safely, securely and with dignity. Using your financial expertise, organisational skills and compassion, you'll help protect people's financial wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

Your role and responsibilities

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults across Suffolk. As part of our Client Affairs team, you will support individuals who are unable to manage their own financial affairs, helping to safeguard their finances and ensure they can access the support and services they need.

Working within Suffolk County Council's corporate appointeeship and Court of Protection deputyship service, you'll be responsible for managing a diverse caseload and acting in the best interests of the people you support. This includes administering benefits, managing income and expenditure, overseeing banking arrangements and ensuring financial obligations are met. You'll also support Court of Protection applications, complete annual returns and undertake statutory visits where required.

Using your financial knowledge and problem-solving skills, you will help customers maintain financial stability through budgeting, debt management and careful financial planning. You will process payments and invoices, complete financial declarations relating to Adult Social Care services, and maintain accurate records using a range of digital systems and databases

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will work closely with social workers, families, support providers, landlords, utility companies and other partner organisations to resolve issues, manage risk and achieve the best possible outcomes for customers. You will also identify and respond appropriately to financial risks, discrepancies and safeguarding concerns, while contributing to service improvements and helping the team deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service.

You will need

We are looking for someone who is organised, compassionate and committed to making a positive difference. You will be confident managing financial information, building relationships and delivering excellent customer service.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

- strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills

- an understanding of Adult Social Care and the needs of vulnerable adults

- excellent communication and interpersonal skills

- the ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines

- good organisational skills and attention to detail

- experience using digital systems, databases and spreadsheets

- sound judgement, with an understanding of risk management, confidentiality and data protection

- a collaborative approach and commitment to achieving positive outcomes.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS) sits within Adult Social Care and helps residents maximise their income, manage their finances and access the support they need. Our service provides financial assessments, direct payment support, debt recovery, deferred payment arrangements and specialist financial advice for vulnerable adults across Suffolk.

Within Client Affairs, we support people whose financial affairs are managed through DWP appointeeships and Court of Protection deputyships. Our work has a direct and lasting impact, helping to ensure people remain financially secure, protected and able to access the services they need.

You will join a supportive and knowledgeable team that values collaboration, continuous learning and innovation. We embrace flexible working and encourage everyone to share ideas that help us continually improve the services we provide to Suffolk residents.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Sharon Thompson for an informal conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263920 or emailing: sharon.thompson@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below. You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1.Focusing on your previous employment and experience, please explain how you have developed the skills and knowledge required to successfully carry out this role.

2. Describe a real situation from your professional experience within the last two years where you supported a vulnerable adult or someone experiencing significant difficulties.

Please describe:

- Their circumstances

- How you adapted your communication style

- Any barriers you had to overcome

- The result of your intervention

- What you learned from the experience

3.Describe a specific occasion within the last 12 months when you had several competing deadlines and conflicting demands. Please include:

- A breakdown of the competing priorities

- The approach you took to prioritisation

- Any deadlines that could not be moved

- How you communicated with stakeholders

- The final outcome

4. Tell us about a time when you identified an opportunity to improve a process, system or way of working.

Please include:

- What prompted the improvement.

- The changes you suggested or implemented.

- How others were involved.

- The benefits achieved.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 20 October 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days

membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase

training and encouragement to expand your knowledge

a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation

diverse and active staff networks

flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).

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