Apprentice Direct Payment Support Officer
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Halifax (HX1 1TS)
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 29 November 2026)
Posted on 3 November 2026
Contents
Summary
You will work across multiple teams to support with the administration duties, including sending out letters and emails, contacting individuals and professionals, arranging and collecting information for meetings, minute taking, answering the duty phone, updating records and other tasks relating to individual Direct Payments.
- Wage
-
£15,392 to £24,454.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Flexible working hours, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 February 2027
- Duration
-
1 year 9 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Monitor incoming electronic requests, ensuring all information is received, responding where required. Manage the team inbox daily, addressing queries quickly and efficiently.
- Support the Direct Payment Monitoring Team in efficiently monitoring direct payments using the Council’s case management system and in accordance with the Council guidelines.
- With support, Investigate and respond effectively to queries received from individuals in receipt of Direct Payments, other teams within the directorate, the ICB and external customers. Maintaining a high standard of customer service. This may include liaising with Care Management, Sundry Income, Financial Assessment, Care Charging, Direct Payment and other relevant teams and colleagues.
- Covering the duty phones, on a rota basis, answering queries from internal, external colleagues/partners and individuals or their representatives in relation to direct payments or the monitoring of direct payments.
- Inputting, updating, and maintaining electronic records/systems and spreadsheets.
- Support the introduction of new technology, information systems and working practices.
Where you'll work
Princess Buildings
Halifax
HX1 1TS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
JGA LIMITED
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
Successful completion of this apprenticeship gives you an accredited Business Administration qualification at Level 3.
- Workplace Learning
- Provided with a 1:1 Tutor
- Delivery- Virtual interactive workshops
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
Other requirements
- You may occasionally be required to work evenings or weekends to attend recruitment events.
- Maybe required to provide cover for colleagues as directed, to ensure performance targets are met.
- A balance between working from home and from a designated council workplace allocation, attending other workplaces as required.
About this employer
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council is the local authority of the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. Calderdale is set in the beautiful South Pennines in West Yorkshire, a vibrant Metropolitan Borough, and an active part of Leeds City Region. With a career move to Calderdale Council, you will find a meaningful way to contribute. You will also make a real difference to others. With over 600 services, we offer a wide variety of roles. So, you can use your skills and experience to help others and make Calderdale a better place for everyone.
https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2 (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- At the end of the apprenticeship programme, it is anticipated that you will be employment ready, and will be given the opportunity to apply for any available permanent employment opportunities within the service and across the council
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
JGA LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062091.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 29 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.