Shared Service Fraud Investigation Officer

JOB PURPOSE

1. Working across both Council’s in the shared service to deter, prevent, detect and investigate fraudulent activity in relation to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit/Reduction, Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and housing related fraud.

MAIN ACTIVITIES (Corporate)

1. To assist in delivering service standards, quality and performance targets.

2. To contribute to a creative and open environment within the Revenues and Benefits Team where employees feel supported, involved and consulted.

3. To represent the Revenues and Benefits Team in meetings and other fora, creating and maintaining links with outside organisations and presenting a positive external image of the Council.

4. To carry out the work within the spirit and intent of relevant legislation and Council policies and procedures, e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Customer Care etc.

5. To work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

6. To undertake personal development commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the job.

MAIN ACTIVITIES (Service Related)

1. To be responsible for the investigations of suspected fraudulent claims across the scope of the service, including surveillance work, visiting customers/businesses and to liaise with external bodies as appropriate.

2. To make decisions on the outcome of investigations, apply appropriate sanctions and provide advice regarding appropriate follow-on action in accordance with legislation and Council policy.

3. To conduct interviews under caution, prepare relevant cases for prosecution and Administrative Penalties, make recommendations and act as a witness in any legal proceedings. Also to recommend and prepare prosecutions where appropriate for Housing Benefit Fraud cases that the DWP Single Fraud Investigation Service deem out of their remit, and represent the council in court as appropriate.

4. Carry out regular risk based reviews of local council tax support cases and other Council Tax exemptions and reliefs and making verification visits where appropriate

5. Develop and carry out reviews to combat the avoidance and evasion of Business Rates including occupation of premises, changes in use and awards of discounts and reliefs.

6. To be responsible for responding to, investigating and resolving reports of housing fraud (tenancy and Right to Buy), in close liaison with Housing Officers

7. Training internal staff from within Revenues and Benefits and other Service Units on detecting fraud and how to refer potential cases

8. To be the Specific Point of Contact for the Single Fraud Investigation Service in relation to Housing Benefit fraud claims.

9. Develop and carry out regular anti-fraud awareness promotional and publicity campaigns

10. To be responsible for the development and monitoring of systems to detect fraud and developing and managing proactive fraud initiatives.

11. To seek authorisation and carry out surveillance in accordance with the Regulations of Investigatory Powers Act where necessary

12. To maintain appropriate records to facilitate performance monitoring in relation to fraud detection. To collate such statistical information as required including the submission of Government Returns.

13. In liaison with the Revenues & Benefits Manager, develop and monitor the Corporate Fraud Strategy

14. To liaise and work with other Council Service Units, in particular the following: – The Revenues Team regarding Council Tax exemption fraud and Business Rates Fraud and the Housing Team regarding Housing Fraud.

15. To undertake such other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

Special Conditions of Service

Level One car user