Advice information jobs

Team: Branch Support Unit 

Location: Remote with regular travel to Chelwood Gate, East Sussex.

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (very occasional weekend working may be required) 

Salary: Up to £28,454.94 per annum 

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them. 

Will you join us and make life better for cats? 

Responsibilities of our Branch Support Unit Advisor: 

• Deliver proactive operational and administrative support to Volunteer Teams, Centres, and regional Operations staff, managing communications, enquiries, and departmental processes 

• Coordinate and support volunteer engagement activities, including recruitment drives, events, and with charity policies, while facilitating cat relocations and centre visits 

• Lead on organising meetings and events, sourcing cost-effective venues, managing logistics, and supporting project implementation across regional teams 

About the Branch Support Unit team: 

• We sit within the Central Operations team 

• Our day-to-day work includes; maintaining branch information on the database; arranging events lottery licenses, PetPlan, cat relocations, NCC visits and processing Annual Returns; supporting Operations staff with projects and collating and dispatching mail outs to Volunteer Teams and centres 

• We currently have a team of 8 and one team leader

What we’re looking for in our Branch Support Unit Advisor: 

• Lives within regular commuting distance of Chelwood Gate, RH17 7TT

•  Administration experience preferably within an office environment 

• A customer service background with experience interacting with members of the public 

• Proven ability to multi-task and work on own initiative, accurately and under pressur 

• A confident communicator, particularly using the telephone 

• Strong Microsoft Office knowledge including Word and Excel 

• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

• Able to travel away from home with some overnights 

What we can offer you: 

• Health and wellbeing support to help you stay well while working remotely 

• Flexible working options to support a healthy work–life balance

• Ongoing learning and development to help you build your skills and grow your career

• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service

• A competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance for peace of mind 

• Additional support such as eye care vouchers and confidential employee advice services 

• Access to discounted pet insurance to help care for your pet’s health

• Learn more about our full reward package

Interested? Here’s how to apply: 

Application closing date: 10th August 2026 

Virtual interview date: 19th & 20th August 2026 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include: 

1. Anonymised application form 

2. Virtual interview & Task via Microsoft Teams 

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes. 

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey 

We're looking for people who genuinely want to make a difference. You don't need to have worked in money advice before. If you're an excellent communicator, a natural problem solver and enjoy working with people, we'll provide the training and support you need to succeed. This role is about much more than providing advice. It's about building trusted relationships with people who may be experiencing financial hardship, poor mental or physical health, trauma, disability, homelessness, digital exclusion or other barriers that make accessing traditional services difficult. If you're compassionate, resilient, organised and committed to helping people rebuild their confidence and financial stability, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Job Purpose:

The Client Liaison Officers are the first point of contact for individuals referred into the Crisis & Resilience Service and play a vital role in ensuring people receive timely, compassionate and person-centred support. Acting as the gateway into the service, you will build trusted relationships from the very first contact, undertaking holistic assessments to understand not only an individual's financial situation but the wider circumstances affecting their wellbeing and resilience.

You will respond quickly to people experiencing financial hardship or crisis, helping to stabilise their immediate situation through income maximisation, welfare benefits advice, crisis planning and practical support. Working closely with partner organisations, you will ensure every client is connected to the right support at the right time through a coordinated 'no wrong door' approach. You will maintain regular contact with clients throughout their journey, preventing disengagement and ensuring individuals feel supported whilst awaiting ongoing casework. Through empathy, knowledge and flexibility you will remove barriers to engagement, helping clients prepare for specialist advice and supporting them to build the confidence and skills needed for long-term financial resilience.

The role combines triage, welfare benefits advice, crisis intervention, client engagement and case coordination to provide an accessible, responsive and trauma-informed service for some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 

Client Engagement and Triage

· Act as the first point of contact for all referrals into the Crisis & Resilience Service.

· Contact new referrals promptly, normally within one working day wherever possible.

· Build positive, trusting relationships from the first interaction.

· Complete holistic needs assessments to understand each client's circumstances, priorities and support needs.

· Identify risks relating to homelessness, utility disconnection, enforcement action, safeguarding and financial crisis.

· Assess barriers to engagement including poor mental health, disability, trauma, digital exclusion, literacy, caring responsibilities and rural isolation.

· Undertake and maintain appropriate risk assessments, including those relating to lone working, to support and safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of clients and staff.

· Agree preferred communication methods with each client and tailor support accordingly.

 

Crisis Intervention

Provide immediate practical support to help stabilise clients experiencing financial hardship by:

· Maximising household income through welfare benefits advice and applications.

· Supporting Crisis Fund applications where appropriate.

· Completing benefit entitlement calculations.

· Assisting clients to gather supporting evidence.

· Developing emergency budgets.

· Identifying priority debts.

· Negotiating with priority creditors where appropriate.

· Supporting Breathing Space applications.

· Protecting essential services including fuel and housing.

· Arranging emergency support including food, fuel and other crisis assistance where available.

Aim to stabilise urgent situations within three working days wherever possible.

 

Welfare Benefits Advice

· Provide high-quality welfare benefits information and advice.

· Complete benefit entitlement checks.

· Support new claims and changes of circumstances.

· Assist clients with mandatory reconsiderations and appeals where appropriate.

· Identify opportunities to maximise household income.

· Keep knowledge of welfare benefits legislation up to date.

 

Client Journey and Case Coordination

· Allocate clients to the most appropriate adviser based on complexity and need.

· Maintain oversight of client journeys.

· Ensure no client disengages or is lost within the system.

· Maintain regular contact with clients awaiting specialist advice.

· Support clients to engage with "Get Advice Ready" sessions to help clients prepare documentation and understand the advice process.

· Make warm referrals to partner organisations with client consent.

· Support seamless transitions between crisis intervention and longer-term casework.

 

Outreach and Accessibility

· Deliver support flexibly through telephone, video, secure digital communication, outreach venues and home visits where appropriate.

· Remove barriers preventing individuals from accessing advice.

· Adapt communication styles to meet individual needs.

· Promote financial education opportunities and encourage participation where appropriate.

 

Partnership Working

· Develop positive working relationships with partner organisations.

· Liaise with statutory agencies including housing, adult social care, DWP and health services.

· Attend multi-agency meetings where appropriate.

· Promote the "No Wrong Door" approach to service delivery.

 

Systems, Recording and Compliance

· Maintain accurate and timely case records using AdvicePro.

· Complete all monitoring requirements.

· Record outcomes, interventions and client progress.

· Maintain GDPR compliance.

· Use digital systems including client portals, Open Banking and automated workflows where appropriate.

· Ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded and escalated immediately.

 

Continuous Improvement

· Participate in supervision and reflective practice.

· Contribute ideas for improving systems and processes.

· Support service evaluation through client feedback and case studies.

· Keep professional knowledge up to date through continuous professional development.

We're looking for an experienced money advice professional who is passionate about making a real difference to people's lives. You will have a minimum of two years' experience delivering money and debt advice, with the ability to support, motivate and develop others. Whether you're an experienced Team Leader or ready to take the next step in your career, you'll be committed to delivering high quality, person-centred services and achieving the best outcomes for clients. This role is about more than managing performance. It's about leading by example, supporting people experiencing financial hardship, poor mental or physical health, trauma, disability, homelessness or digital exclusion, and helping your team deliver flexible, relationship-based support. We're looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient, organised and solution-focused, with excellent communication skills and a collaborative leadership style, committed to continuous improvement and helping people build long-term financial resilience. 

This role forms part of the Exeter Crisis & Resilience Fund partnership, delivered by Navigate, Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) and Encompass Southwest – the collaboration is known as Wis£rmoney. Together, we provide a seamless service that supports residents from immediate financial crisis through to long-term resilience. Our partnership combines specialist money and debt advice, welfare benefits advice, housing support, homelessness prevention, trauma-informed practice and financial education to provide holistic support for people experiencing financial hardship. Rather than asking people to navigate multiple services, we work together to ensure they receive the right support at the right time, through a coordinated 'No Wrong Door' approach. 

The Crisis & Resilience Fund Team Leader will lead the delivery of the Exeter Crisis & Resilience Service, providing operational leadership to a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality, person-centred support to residents experiencing financial hardship, crisis and multiple disadvantage. The postholder will line manage Navigate's Client Liaison Officers and the Money Advice Caseworkers employed by partners Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) and Encompass Southwest to ensure a seamless, coordinated service that supports individuals from immediate financial crisis through to long term resilience. As Navigate's operational lead for the contract, the Team Leader will foster strong partnership working, maintain effective communication across organisations and ensure clients experience a consistent 'No Wrong Door' approach. Alongside leadership responsibilities, the postholder will manage a small caseload of complex clients, delivering FCA-regulated debt advice, welfare benefits advice, advocacy and holistic financial resilience support. They will provide guidance and oversight for complex casework, ensuring clients receive timely, flexible interventions tailored to their individual circumstances.

The Team Leader will champion Wis£rmoney’s relationship-based, trauma-informed approach, recognising that financial hardship rarely exists in isolation. By supporting staff to build trusted relationships with clients, remove barriers to engagement and address the wider issues affecting financial wellbeing, the role will help residents achieve sustainable financial stability, independence and resilience. The postholder will also be responsible for ensuring the service meets all contractual, regulatory and quality requirements, monitoring performance, driving continuous improvement and embedding innovative ways of working that enhance client outcomes while maintaining the personalised support that is central to the service model.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Service Management

• Lead Wis£rmoney's delivery of the Exeter Crisis & Resilience Fund service, ensuring a high-quality, person-centred service that reflects the partnership's shared values and objectives.
• Line manage and support Client Liaison Officers (2) and Money Advice Caseworkers (2), providing regular supervision, reflective practice, coaching and annual appraisals.
• Promote a positive, supportive team culture that prioritises staff wellbeing, continuous learning and high-quality client outcomes.
• Provide guidance and support on complex casework, safeguarding concerns and risk management.
• Lead by example, demonstrating relationship-based, trauma-informed approach to supporting people experiencing financial hardship.

Specialist Casework

• Manage a small caseload of clients with complex financial circumstances requiring specialist intervention.
• Deliver FCA-regulated debt advice, welfare benefits advice, budgeting support, income maximisation and advocacy.
• Develop personalised support plans that address both immediate financial crisis and longer-term resilience.
• Negotiate with creditors, landlords, utility providers and statutory agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
• Support clients to access appropriate debt solutions, including Debt Relief Orders and bankruptcy where appropriate. 

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure all advice delivered by Wis£rmoney meets FCA requirements, Advice Quality Standard expectations and organisational policies.
• Carry out regular case reviews, file audits and quality assurance checks to maintain consistently high standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of casework using AdvicePro and associated digital systems.
• Promote excellent information governance, GDPR compliance and safeguarding practice throughout the service.
• Support preparation for contract monitoring, audits and quality inspections.

Partnership Working

• Act as Navigate's operational lead within the Exeter Crisis & Resilience Fund partnership.
• Work collaboratively with Churches Housing Action Team, Encompass Southwest, Exeter City Council and other partner organisations to deliver a coordinated 'No Wrong Door' service.
• Build strong relationships with local agencies to improve referral pathways and client outcomes.
• Represent Wis£rmoney at partnership meetings, operational groups and multi-agency forums.
• Support collaborative problem-solving and contribute to the ongoing development of the partnership.

Service Delivery and Performance

• Ensure timely allocation of referrals according to client need, complexity and risk.
• Maintain oversight of client journeys, ensuring seamless transitions from crisis intervention to longer term resilience support.
• Monitor performance against contractual targets, quality standards and key performance indicators.
• Contribute to contract monitoring reports and evaluation, ensuring outcomes and impact are accurately recorded.
• Identify emerging trends, unmet need and opportunities to improve service delivery.

Outreach, Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Promote innovative approaches that improve accessibility, efficiency and client outcomes while maintaining personalised support.
• Support the implementation of new systems, digital technologies and service improvements across the partnership.
• Encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to strengthen processes and remove barriers for clients.
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation, regulation and best practice relating to money advice, welfare benefits and financial inclusion.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are fully implemented across the service.
• Provide advice and escalation support for safeguarding concerns and high-risk cases.
• Promote safe working practices for staff delivering home visits, outreach and community-based support.
• Foster a culture where safeguarding, professional curiosity and client wellbeing underpin every aspect of service delivery.

We are looking for a skilled caseworker to provide high-quality advice and support to LSE students
 
 

We are recruiting an additional full-time Caseworker to join our small and high performing team, alongside an existing Caseworker and Advice Manager. We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to student support and are looking for someone who shares that creative ambition and drive.

About LSESU 

The London School of Economics and Political Science Students' Union (LSESU) is a high-profile, student-led charity representing and supporting over 11,000 students at one of the world's leading social science institutions.

We're currently in an exciting period of growth and transformation, with a newly appointed Chief Executive and a clear sense of purpose: to help students make the most of all the life-changing opportunities available to them at LSE. 

-       We help students make friends and feel like they belong at LSE, through clubs, societies, sports, and events.

-       We make sure students voices’ get heard by decision makers LSE.

-       We provide practical support for the students who need us most: those facing housing difficulties, financial hardship, academic appeals, immigration issues. 

The Advice Service sits right at the heart of that last commitment, making this one of the most directly impactful roles in the Students’ Union.

About the team: 
The LSESU Advice Service supports students across a range of academic and housing issues, while also administering a series of increasingly sought-after hardship funds. As Advice Caseworker, you’ll be expected to become an expert in these areas, delivering the bulk of the casework and making a difference to the students who need it most. 
 
 

You’ll also work closely with our Communications team to shape our communication and engagement strategy - raising stakeholder awareness, improving service accessibility, and providing students with regular, proactive and useful information. 

The Advice Service sits within the Student Voice Department, alongside the Representation Team. You will work closely with colleagues across the Student Voice department and the wider Student Union, along with Student Support teams at LSE.

About the role 

We're looking for a skilled caseworker who is both empathetic and pragmatic. 

You'll manage a large, complex caseload while consistently meeting response-time targets, and you'll bring a positive, solution-focused attitude to the challenges that come with it. Above all, you're genuinely enthusiastic about supporting students and comfortable navigating the complexities of working with an external stakeholder organisation.

This role centres on providing 1:1 advice via email, video call, and in-person appointments, so strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are essential.

You'll also need strong diligence and the ability to digest complex regulations and translate them into clear, practical guidance — this is crucial to delivering the high level of support LSE students rely on.

In many ways, this is not a typical Advice Service, and we are not looking for a typical Advice Caseworker. We are seeking someone who is self-motivated, driven, resilient, and a role model to others. The ideal candidate will be a strong collaborator, able to support colleagues, and skilled at building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. 
 
 

 How to apply? 
 
 

We want to ensure that all systems, policies and processes are free from bias or discrimination and are fair and accessible. Therefore, we ask that all candidates complete our application process by uploading the following three documents: 
 
 

Part 1: CV – Outlining your skills and experience to date.

Part 2: Supporting Statement – A one-page statement explaining your suitability for the role. This will be used to determine if you are shortlisted for an interview. Please do not include any personal information (e.g., name or date of birth). Use the attached job description and person specification to help with this. 
 
 

Part 3: Equal Opportunities Monitoring and Contact Form – This includes personal information so we can contact you if you are shortlisted for an interview. It also allows us to gather and analyse demographic information about our applicants. This form will only be seen by HR and will not impact shortlisting. 
 
 

Application forms are formatted to ensure the equality monitoring data is removed before they are reviewed by the shortlisting panel. This process ensures that shortlisting is conducted fairly and consistently, giving all applicants an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
 

Want to apply?

To apply for this role, please complete an online application.

For further about the role, please see the attached full job description and person specification on our website.

Job Application Timeline
Closing date: 16th August 2026
Intended Interviews date: 27th & 28th Aug (+ hold 1st Sept if needed)

Health information officer

Location: Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working
Salary: £28,500 – £31,000 depending on experience
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: We want all our employees to feel valued and engaged and are committed to offering a positive working culture along with a good work-life balance. As well as ensuring we pay our employees fairly, we offer the following benefits: Flexible working, Generous annual leave, Private Medical Insurance, including dental and optical, Pension Scheme, Sick Pay, Death in Service, Employee Assistance Programme, Bike Loan Scheme, Cycle2Work Scheme, Eyecare, Discount Portal.

Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.

Kidney disease affects one in ten people in the UK, yet it still doesn't get the attention it deserves. At Kidney Research UK we are determined to change that. In this newly created role, we are looking for a health information officer.

The Role 

• Produce and maintain our information and resources about kidney disease and relevant conditions
• Ensure all content is high-quality, evidence-based, accessible, regularly reviewed and meets the needs of our patients and their families
• Work within our research communications team to ensure production aligns with the PIF TICK standard
• Reach a broad audience across a range of different media
• Partner closely with patients, clinicians, and the marketing and communications department

 What We're Looking For 

• Background in science, educated to degree level in a life sciences subject
• Experience communicating complex topics in an accessible and compelling way
• Excellent copywriting skills

About Kidney Research UK:

Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research, we fund has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making our work more essential than ever.

At Kidney Research UK we work with clinicians and scientists across the UK, funding and facilitating research into all areas of kidney disease. We collaborate with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.

Over the last ten years we have invested more than £71 million into research. We lobby governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million people living with all stages of kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.

Most importantly, we also work closely with patients, ensuring their voice is heard and is at the centre of everything we do, from deciding which research to invest in to how we plan our priorities and our work across the charity.

Those patient contributions are vital, always helping us and our partners to understand what life is like with kidney disease, always ensuring we see the patient behind the treatment and always reminding us that behind every statistic and every number is a person – the patients and the carers who inspire our mission and push us forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV. Closing date: Tuesday 25 August 2026.

Telephone interviews will be held on Thursday 3 September 2026. Interviews will be held in our Peterborough office on Friday 11 September 2026.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

No agencies please.

You may have experience in the following: Health Information Officer, Medical Writer, Health Communications Specialist, Science Communicator, Patient Information Officer, Research Communications Officer, Health Content Writer, Clinical Information Manager, Science Writer, Health Education Officer, Medical Communications, Charity Communications Manager, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Not for Profit, NFP, etc.

REF-230 008

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as Senior Advice Session Supervisor. You will lead a team of staff and volunteers in providing high quality information and advice services across our two main offices in Peckham and Walworth by face to face, telephone and digital access channels.

The role includes:

• Supervising advice and information sessions
• Undertaking advice and research and campaigns work
• Deputising for the CAS Service Manager in helping to ensure the smooth running of the Service
• Assisting in preparing monitoring and project reports
• The support and supervision of a team of paid staff and volunteers

To be successful in this role you will need:

• A minimum of one year’s experience in the supervision of advisers. This should include an understanding of the provision of staff and volunteer support, supervision, development and motivation.
• Recent experience of advice work including advising or supporting on complex cases in social welfare law. 
• Knowledge of the type of social policy issues facing the local community, and a commitment to influencing social policy.
• A commitment to the Citizens Advice aims, principles and equal opportunities policies

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 4th August 2026

Interviews: Friday 7th August 2026

At Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, we believe that ageing should be about living well — staying connected, independent, and fulfilled at every stage of life.

We’re a vibrant, values-led local charity and proud partner of the Age UK network. Every day, we work alongside older people to design and deliver services that promote wellbeing, independence and dignity. From supporting people to manage their health, to tackling loneliness and influencing local policy, we put people and communities at the heart of everything we do.

Our Information and Advice service provides rights-based information, advice and advocacy on Welfare Benefits, Social Care and Housing options; practical assistance with individual grant applications, accessing social tariffs, blue/purple badge and taxi card applications. The service is delivered through a range of channels, including face to face, telephone, email and digital, across Kensington and Chelsea borough.

This is an exciting new role for us - to help shape our Information and Advice service, a service we're proud to dleiver within the community. If you're passionate about helping people, have experience of working as part of a team and are seeking a new challenge then get in touch!

The role is 21 hours per week.

Due to the number of applications we may not be able to respond to all unsuccessful applicants.

The Role
We are looking for an Advice & Guidance Officer who can make a meaningful difference in the lives of deaf children, young people, and their families.

A key focus of this role will be delivering the service remotely using technology. In addition, you will use your interpersonal skills and experience working with families to connect with local community groups, raise awareness of our services, promote membership, and provide support to families, deaf young people, and professionals.
 
This role is part time, based on 21 hours per week.
 
This is a fully remote role, but will have a focus on Central Scotland Casework and will require some regional travel so applicants should live in Scotland and possess a driving licence and have access to a car.
 
 
What you'll do
 

• Deliver tailored information and advice to individuals and groups of deaf children, young people, and their families.
• Support deaf children, young people, and their families in becoming more confident in articulating their needs independently.
• Help deaf children, young people, and their families explore their options and decide on a preferred course of action.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with professionals and organisations that support deaf children.
• Attend both in-person and online events to provide information and advice tailored to different audiences.

 
What you'll need
 

• Significant experience and understanding of the skills and practices required to deliver person-centred support to children, young people, and their families.
• Experience providing information and advice to families and young people, both digitally and face-to-face.
• A strong working knowledge of education and special educational needs, including relevant legislation, government guidance, and local implementation.
• An understanding of deafness and its impact on children, family dynamics, raising a deaf child, and child development-translating this into effective, child-centred practice.
• Strong digital skills and a sound understanding of agile values & principles.
• A criminal record check / PVG Scheme Disclosure (if offered the position).

 

What you'll get

• Home-based working with flexible hours.
• 25 days holiday - plus an additional 3 days at Christmas (& bank holidays).
• Pension (5.5% employer contribution).
• Healthcare Cashplan.
• Annual performance-based salary increase.
• Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programmes.

 
What we do
 
The National Deaf Children's Society are the leading charity for deaf children. We give expert support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children's rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else.
 
Pre-employment Checks
 
As part of our commitment to creating a safe and trusted environment for the children, young people and families we support, all offers of employment are subject to background checks. These include Right to Work verification, Criminal Record Disclosure, and ID and address verification.
 
To complete an online Right to Work check, you will need a valid UK or Irish passport, or a government share code if you are not a British citizen. If an online check is not possible, we’ll need to verify your documents in person at our London office. Please be aware that travel time and expenses for this appointment cannot be reimbursed.
 
Disability Confidence
 
We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to offering interviews to candidates who request to be considered under the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum requirements of the person specification.
 
The National Deaf Children’s Society is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1016532 and in Scotland no. SC040779.

JOB TITLE:                  Welfare Benefits Support and Information Officer / Advisor

ORGANISATION: Big Local Works – Charity No: 1182561

LOCATION:                       Big Local Works 4 Market Place, London SE16 3UQ

CONTRACT TYPE:           6-month / Fixed Term contract  (Sickness Cover)

REPORTING TO:             Charity Manager

General Information

Big Local Works (BLW) is a community-focused economic support and regeneration charity based in Bermondsey, South East London. We want to help create a thriving, inclusive local economy and community in which everyone can participate.

To make this happen, we maximise local people’s financial and economic wellbeing to reduce poverty and hardship, and give them support to find sustainable, active routes out of poverty, including through employment and enterprise.

We deliver our support in the community through three main services:

· Expert welfare and benefits advice and advocacy for local people experiencing poverty and hardship

· Employability Skills training and coaching to help people access ways of increasing their earned income

· Start-up and enterprise support for clients who wish to start trading on the local ‘Blue Market’

Our current Welfare Benefits Advisor is on leave of absence, so this role is temporary cover until the end of the year. We are looking for someone for an immediate start.

The role of the Welfare Benefits Support and Information officer is the relief of financial need by the provision of free advice, information, support and advocacy for Southwark Residents

Key Tasks include:

· To provide a generalist welfare benefits advice, information and casework service to clients using the services at BLW

· To provide a review of possible benefit entitlements and support clients to make claims, submit forms and applications as appropriate.

· Ensure advice service provided by BLW is effective and efficient, meets best practice and is of a consistently high quality, delivering a high level of customer care and client satisfaction.

· To provide welfare benefits support in a variety of settings i.e. drop-ins and community spaces, to provide advice and information, and welfare benefit checks to ensure individuals have accessible support.

· Help clients understand benefit decisions, represent clients who have been turned down for benefits, deal with reviews, and, where appropriate, prepare for and attend appeals tribunals.

· Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.

What you need to bring:

· A good understanding of the Welfare Benefits system to deliver an advice casework service

· Good administration skills and ability to develop own caseload and prioritising work.

· Ability to use IT, Word and Excel in the provision of advice

· Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information

· Numeracy skills required to understand statistics and check calculations

· Use IT for statistical recording, record keeping and document production.

· Able to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders

· Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.

· Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the BLW’s service.

· Abide by health and safety and safeguarding guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.

· A good understanding of- and commitment to the aims and principles of the charity and its equal opportunities policies.

· Willingness to learn and develop skills in advice topics

You will benefit from

· Holiday -  FTE 25 days plus Bank Holidays so for 6 month contract at (0.4 FTE)  it would be 5 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

· A great working environment and culture within a small, but growing, charity dedicated to improving lives in our community

If you are passionate about supporting individuals and communities facing poverty and improving their lives, and have the skills and experience required for this role, please apply.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

2 days per week (0.4 FTE)

Hours normally 9-5 pm but flexible to accommodate outreach, research and training needs

Annual salary: £12,000 for 2 days / week (£30K FTE)

DBS check essential

In the last four years we have tripled our turnover, moved from delivery at one site to having thirteen outreaches and have doubled the number of clients we are seeing. We are now looking for an enthusiastic, full time Welfare Benefits Worker to build up a much needed Welfare Rights Unit.  We have a small unit of volunteers who support clients with appeals, and our next stage is to build a volunteer based form filling service.  Whilst holding a small caseload of your own, it is the development of this service that would be your principal task.

To be successful you will need to be a qualified Citizens Advice Adviser, preferably with experience of delivering Benefits casework, and to be able to develop and lead volunteers.  If the longer term Welfare Rights Unit project interests you but this post would not be an option for you as it stands, we would also welcome a conversation.

Our service operates to very high standards, but we also work hard to make it an enjoyable and supportive work environment. 

If this sounds like a team you would fit into please e-mail your updated CV and a covering letter to Chris Roberts, Chief Executive using the e-mail title “Benefits vacancy”.

Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 2nd August.  Provisionally interviews are planned for Thursday 13th August.

Due to the potential number of applicants we are sorry but we will not be able to enter into correspondence or discussion with unsuccessful candidates.

Do you have a passion for helping people improve their financial wellbeing? Are you highly motivated, organised and committed to making a positive difference to carers' lives?

We are currently offering an exciting opportunity to join our Information & Advice Service as our Carer Financial Wellbeing Coordinator. This countywide role will lead the development and delivery of financial wellbeing support for unpaid carers across West Sussex.

Carers often experience significant financial challenges because of their caring role. This post will play a key role in ensuring carers can access the information, advice and support they need to maximise their income, improve financial resilience, and make informed decisions about their finances.

The Carer Financial Wellbeing Coordinator will provide day-to-day line management and support to Welfare Benefits Advisors, oversee the quality of financial wellbeing services, and work collaboratively to develop innovative and accessible support for carers. 

The role includes providing welfare benefits and financial wellbeing advice, supporting complex cases where appropriate, delivering workshops and training, developing resources, and identifying opportunities to strengthen our support offer.

You will work closely with teams across Carers Support West Sussex to ensure carers receive joined-up support and that financial wellbeing is embedded throughout our services. You will also contribute to service development, impact monitoring and continuous improvement, helping us demonstrate the difference our services make to carers across the county.

The role is a mix of remote/home working and community-based delivery, with travel across West Sussex required to attend meetings, deliver workshops and support carers and partners in local communities.

Key Responsibilities:
•  Line Management: Provide day-to-day line management, supervision and support to the Welfare Benefits Advisors, including workload allocation, performance management and development.
•  Information & Guidance: Deliver high-quality welfare benefits and financial wellbeing advice to carers, including complex cases where appropriate, taking a holistic approach to financial wellbeing, considering benefits, grants, financial resilience and wider income maximisation.
•  Facilitate Learning: Design and deliver group sessions face-to-face in the community and online, videos, resources, workshops and information sessions for carers and deliver training and briefings for CSWS staff and volunteers to build confidence in identifying and responding to carers’ financial concerns.
•  Data Recording: Maintain accurate and timely records on CSWS Client Record Management systems to support monitoring, reporting and service improvement.
•  Demonstrate Impact: Use outcome-based tools to evidence impact, identify gaps in provision and support continuous service development.
•  Partnership Working: Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure carers receive timely, joined-up support.
•  Governance: Work within CSWS policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, equality and diversity, and health and safety.

About You:
•  Welfare Benefits
o  A comprehensive and up to date working knowledge of the welfare benefit system and the latest welfare reform developments.
o  Proven experience of providing in-depth welfare benefits advice, including complex cases.
•  Line Management: Experience of supervising staff or strong evidence of readiness to move into a line management role.
•  Facilitation: Experience of delivering group sessions workshops or training, both face-to-face and online.
•  Time Management: Ability to manage competing priorities and balance leadership responsibilities with direct casework.
•  Problem-Solving Skills: Able to take a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and ensuring support for individuals navigating complex systems.
•  Verbal and Written Skills: Able to negotiate, build relationships, advocate for people and write accurate, succinct records of support provided.
•  IT Skills: Highly competent IT skills, including experience of using databases or CRM systems.
•  Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.

Please refer to the Job Description in the Recruitment Pack to see the full list of responsibilities and person specification.

Appointments are subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service.

Make a life-changing difference every day by helping people in Buckinghamshire overcome debt and regain control of their finances. Join Citizens Advice Bucks as a Money Advice Caseworker and be part of meaningful, practical change in your community.

At Citizens Advice Bucks, we see first-hand how financial difficulties affect every part of a person’s life. As a Money Advice Caseworker, you’ll provide expert, compassionate support to individuals navigating debt, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to move forward. You’ll handle a varied caseload, work collaboratively with a supportive team, and play a vital role in tackling inequality and improving wellbeing across our communities.

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Team Background

The Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall provides crucial support to individuals and families struggling with financial burdens. Funded by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), this team delivers expert guidance and practical solutions to help clients manage and reduce their debt. 

Key Responsibilities 

Management of local sites to ensure all services are available.

• Ensure local services are available daily by effectively managing staffing, sickness, annual leave, emergencies and operational challenges.
• Work closely with internal teams, external contractors and local stakeholders to ensure all sites operate safely, efficiently and in line with organisational standards.

Line management of a team to ensure objectives are set and met.

• Lead, motivate and support the team to achieve agreed service, quality, compliance and performance objectives.
• Conduct regular one-to-one supervision, team meetings and performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and clear expectations.

Ensure compliance and the quality of advice required are achieved.

• Ensure the team consistently delivers high-quality, client-focused debt advice in line with FCA requirements, funder expectations and Toynbee Hall policies.
• Monitor case quality through audits, supervision, management information and performance data, implementing improvement plans where required.

Contribute to the team

• Be an active member of the Advice Services management team, contributing to service planning, operational improvements and organisational change.
• Work collaboratively with funders, partner organisations and colleagues across Toynbee Hall to support strategic priorities, projects and service development.

Other

• Provide visible leadership across multiple Toynbee Hall locations, ensuring consistency of culture, service delivery and operational standards.
• Travel across London as required, and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

Experience and Skills

• Significant experience of managing frontline advice services and leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to provide technical supervision and support on complex debt advice cases.
• Up-to-date knowledge of debt advice legislation, FCA requirements, funding compliance and sector best practice.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Hold a recognised debt advice qualification (e.g. CertMAP or equivalent) with demonstrable experience of delivering and supervising FCA-regulated debt advice services.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, funders and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Personal Attributes

• Inclusive, collaborative and approachable leadership style.
• Highly organised, proactive and solutions focused.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, with the ability to make informed decisions.

Commitment

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Toynbee Hall’s mission, values and strategic objectives.
• Willingness to work across multiple Toynbee Hall and community locations.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training, including safeguarding and regulatory requirements.

Please note the right to work in the UK is a requirement of this role.

Please refer to the attached job description for more details.

Our client is a small, community-focused charity tackling poverty and food insecurity in one of North West London’s most disadvantaged communities. Their services aim to prevent hunger, fight poverty and build community by working with families living in poverty, asylum seekers and refugees and people experiencing homelessness and social isolation. At an exciting time of change, they are now looking to recruit an Interim Advice Manager to lead a busy multi-site advice service, supporting people with welfare benefits, housing, debt and immigration issues. Please note this is initially a fixed term contract until April 2027 with possibility of extension.

As Interim Advice Manager you will oversee the daily delivery of our client’s busy advice service, overseeing a small team of staff and volunteers, driving quality and compliance, and helping shape future service development. You’ll maintain a high quality of service by ensuring that the advice team and volunteers work to agreed standards and deliver against realistic grant agreements from funders and will also maintain a small caseload of clients. You’ll also work closely with the senior leadership team and the Head of Advice to support the implementation of new exciting initiatives and the expansion of the information and advice service.

To apply for this opportunity, you will have demonstrable experience of managing advice services within the charity/community sector. You will have a strong knowledge of welfare benefits, housing, debt or immigration and will be confident using case management systems and data. Overall, you will be an experienced advice professional, passionate about delivering high quality advice to a range of vulnerable people.

If you are interested in applying to this position, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will then reach out to you to advise next steps. Pleases note, this is initially a fixed term contract opportunity, so please only apply if you are available immediately or have no more than a 1 month notice period.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance please reach out directly.

Please note, the client is open to either full-time or part-time (4 days/days flexible) applicants. The role will be hybrid-working (with 60% based onsite in Brent).