Job Introduction
About Us
The Adult Social Care Income Team is responsible for managing and recovering income relating to care services across the county. We work closely with the Financial Assessment Team, Adult Social Care teams and Legal Services to ensure charges are accurate and outstanding balances are managed appropriately.
The work is fast paced and varied, and often complex. It involves sensitive situations such as vulnerable clients, representatives and estates. The team plays a key role in ensuring public funds are recovered fairly, consistently and in line with policy.
You will be part of a close‑knit and supportive team with strong working relationships and a stable workforce. We value a positive team culture where colleagues support each other, share knowledge and build on individual strengths to achieve consistent outcomes.
About the Role
We are recruiting for a permanent Debt Recovery Officer to manage outstanding Adult Social Care debt.
We are recruiting for a permanent Debt Recovery Officer to manage outstanding Adult Social Care debt.
The role involves progressing unpaid accounts in a timely and consistent way. This includes contact with clients, their representatives, family members and solicitors. Work is carried out through a range of channels, including telephone, email, written correspondence, face‑to‑face meetings and, where required, home visits.
You will work with a range of cases, including those involving vulnerable individuals and situations where there is no capacity. Decisions in these cases may be managed by appointees, deputies or through Court of Protection arrangements.
You will review accounts and determine the most appropriate recovery action. You will ensure cases are progressed without unnecessary delay. This includes managing complex cases such as deceased estates, property‑related debt and money management arrangements.
You will deal with disputed and long‑standing debt, as well as cases where there may be safeguarding or potential fraud concerns. You will also need to understand how factors such as property ownership, asset values and changes in circumstances can affect recovery decisions.
You will work closely with internal teams and Legal Services where escalation is required. All actions must be clearly recorded and handled in line with Council procedures. This is a high‑volume role where no two days are the same. It requires accountability and ownership of your caseload.
This role is based at our Abingdon office and requires regular office attendance. You must be able to attend the office reliably and work flexibly across the working week in line with service requirements. Any flexibility to work from home will depend on service needs and individual performance and may vary over time.
About you
You are confident dealing with challenging and sensitive situations. This includes having difficult conversations in a clear and professional way.
You are organised and able to manage a high volume of cases. You can prioritise effectively to meet deadlines and ensure work is progressed without unnecessary delay. You have strong attention to detail and are able to review financial information and make sound decisions.
You have strong written and verbal communication skills. You can produce clear, accurate and comprehensive correspondence, particularly in more complex cases. You also have an understanding of Adult Social Care and the financial processes linked to care charging, or can develop this knowledge quickly and apply it in practice.
You will be reliable and take ownership of your workload. You follow through on actions and maintain a consistent level of output in a high‑volume environment. You bring a positive attitude, work well with others and contribute to a supportive team.
You approach your work with empathy and professionalism. You recognise the impact on individuals and their families and ensure people are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity.
Rewards and Benefits
We know that the work we do has a direct impact on people in our communities, and we aim to create a working environment that supports our employees.
We support ongoing development through a range of learning and development opportunities to help you build your skills and experience.
We offer a generous holiday allowance, increasing with length of service up to 32 days, with the option to buy additional leave. You will also have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, a range of retail discounts, and family‑friendly policies, including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to ensure fair and consistent treatment throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.
We are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and ensuring that our workforce reflects the communities we serve.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews for care leavers who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.
We are also committed to supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for applicants who meet the essential criteria within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
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