Court of Protection Finance Visiting Officer
The closing date is 23 March 2026
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
The Court of Protection finance team manage the property and financial affairs of vulnerable clients in Torbay under the authority of the court of protection and scrutinised by the Office of Public Guardian (regulating body) under the Public Deputy Standards.
To manage a caseload relating to client's finances, property and affairs, where they lack the mental capacity to act for themselves. To gain insight into the client to make decisions in their best interests at all times.
Your role supports the Court of Protection deputy/authorised officer for Torbay with statutory visits to clients in care homes, supporting living placements and in their own homes. The post holder will also assist with protecting a clients' property by ensuring they are secure and properly maintained.
You will also be responsible for writing visit reports, sorting through financial paperwork and other valuable items and organising visits accordingly.
Main duties of the job
Work within clear policies on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), business continuity, banking and money handling. Dealing with anything that may have a financial impact on the service user. Responsibility for each individual's finances, taking into consideration their personal needs and circumstances in line with the Mental Capacity Act code of practice 5 key principles. Linking to the above, the postholder is responsible for ensuring clients' best interests are served at all times.
Responsibility for payments relating to the service user and therefore be responsible for dealing with a wide range of client / provider payment queries which at times can be contentious and complex. The post holder has full responsibility for their own caseload of circa 50-60 clients, their individual bank accounts, savings, property and investments.
The post holder will organise their own caseload of clients, daily activity and the work is managed rather than supervised. The Court Order gives significant powers and discretion to the deputy and all staff delegated with deputyship responsibilities.
About us
Why Work With Us
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is an integrated organisation providing acute health care services from Torbay Hospital, community health services and adult social care.
This post is responsible to the Court of Protection Finance Manager and the Independent Sector Finance Lead who have extensive knowledge and experience in this area.
The COP Finance team are a small close-knit team who work hard together to ensure our clients get a professional and courteous service. The COP finance team help a lot of clients (caseload of circa 300 clients) daily and must have empathy for their situation which does give a rewarding feeling when you can come up with solutions for the clients or their representatives to ensure their finances are managed in their best interest.
Job responsibilities
Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
* Minimum 5 GCSE grades A-C including English and Mathematics or equivalent.
* Proven relevant office / business experience, preferably within finance related role.
* Computer Literate (ECDL or similar).
* AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Intermediate and/or NVQ3 or willingness to study a recognised course, or equivalent experience.
* OCN Public Authority Deputy Accreditation Level 3.
Knowledge and experience
* The ability to analyse, investigate and resolve financial queries and discrepancies which may involve the use of tact and influencing/ negotiation skills when dealing with suppliers and clients.
* Effective interpersonal skills, including communication and listening skills to a diverse range of client groups.
* Ability to use various software packages (Excel, Outlook, Word, bespoke systems)
* Experience of maintaining confidentiality / data protection.
* Previous financial experience, including accounts reconciliation.
* Knowledge of financial information systems.
* Previous Social Services / NHS / Local Government experience.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
* Ability to influence and persuade, explaining financial information to non-financial managers/representatives/clients.
* To analyse, investigate and resolve complex financial queries and discrepancies especially with new cases where there are potential safeguarding issues
* Dealing with external agencies and ensuring payments are correct which could include pursuing over/under payments
Planning and Organisational skills
* Plan workload to ensure Court of Protection standards and deputy reports are submitted in a timely manner
* Undertaking complex court order work which must be planned with social care teams and representatives around notifying them of the court order process.
Physical, mental and emotional effort
* Use of a keyboard for long periods of the day to input data quickly & accurately. Be able to manage numerous applications to resolve queries and carry out daily duties.
* Be able to manage constant phone calls from a variety of clients and professionals.
* To visit clients in their own homes and on occasions have to carry around large volumes of paperwork and work in varying degrees of comfort.
* Ability to deal with challenging behaviour from clients and representatives on a regular basis.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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