Adaptations Officer

Job Introduction

Role Purpose

To improve the quality of life for the people of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole by ensuring the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme meets the needs of residents that require adaptations to enable them to remain in their own homes.

Main Responsibilities

To carry out the operational duties for the delivery of the Council's DFG programme in accordance with the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and Care Act 2014 and other relevant best policy and practice.

To process and record all DFG applications in line with current legislation and the Council's policies and procedures.

To carry out home visits and support vulnerable clients with the application process.

To carry out means tests for DFG applications to establish the eligibility of applications, including accurately recording sensitive financial information. To be vigilant in the vetting of DFG applications with regards to fraudulent practices.

To work in conjunction with the Technical Officers to ensure an efficient delivery of the DFG programme from point of referral to completion of works.

To maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues across the Council, external agencies and organisations, liaising effectively and efficiently to improve service provision. To work jointly with Adult & Children's Social Care teams to deliver the DFG programme.

To maintain knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy to best practice is delivered to residents.

To have a good working knowledge of all relevant systems.

To comply with all decisions, policies and standing orders of the Council, and any relevant statutory requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

Should have experience working with vulnerable customers often with complex needs and the ability to empathise whilst maintaining strict professional boundaries.

Should have experience of working as part of a busy team.

Should have excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with people at all levels inside and outside the organisation.

Should be able to communicate clearly and effectively

Should have good numeracy skills an able to analyse financial info, figures and data.

Should have excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Should have the ability to plan and prioritise effectively.

Should be well organised with an attention to detail.

Should be able to work under own initiative with minimal supervision.

Should have an awareness and commitment to the Council's values and behaviours.

For informal enquiries please contact Alistair Bloice at Alastair.Bloice@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people.  Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline.  We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services.  By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package for further details see here

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We have been in a process of collective bargaining since 2019 and have positively worked forward to reach an agreed position with the unions for the new contractual offer. This has taken longer than we hoped and therefore we are having to consider all alternative avenues available to enable us to remove inequality in the organisation as a result of bringing together 3 councils. 

We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation, and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. We want to reassure everyone that whichever route is taken to reach the new terms and conditions, we can honour continuous service and there will not be any job reduction as a result of the implementation of Pay and Reward.  If you have any questions at all about this process, please feel free to raise this with the hiring manager.

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.