Advice Jobs in Charing Cross, Greater London

At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, our goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Our impact across policy, campaigning, information and advice, grant-making and partnerships improves lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence in wider areas of life. We want to find talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

You will support with the design and delivery of training to external clients (e.g. social prescribers, housing providers, community workers, advice workers, corporate partners) on financial rights-based information for older people in England, Scotland, and Wales, so that they can support older people to maximise their income and reduce their costs.  You will also support with internal training where required.

 You will be experienced in designing inclusive and accessible training and resources, and in delivering training virtually and in-person, including to corporates. With comprehensive knowledge of pensionable age welfare benefits, you should have a good understanding of issues affecting older people including social care, health services, housing, and scams. With excellent relationship and partnership building skills as well as great organisation and time management skills, you will have the ability to travel and undertake overnight stays to deliver in-person training and attend meetings. 

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9-day fortnight. 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age by visiting our website.

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our website to submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name. 

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Basic DBS (Certificate will be required for this role. 

Closing Date: Midnight on Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Interview Dates: 

Stage one - Tuesday 4th June 2024

Stage two – Tuesday 11th June 2024

Disability Advice Service Lambeth (dasl) is Lambeth’s peer-led Disabled People’s Organisation. 

You will lead a two-year project contributing to the work of the No Wrong Door partnership – local organisations and local residents working together to ensure there is ‘No Wrong Door’ for Black Disabled people seeking employment, as they can expect excellent support from any organisation. 

We want to change the system, influencing employment support providers and their Commissioners to ensure support for Black Disabled people who are seeking employment is appropriate, accessible and inclusive.

You will have excellent project management skills and use your lived, personal experience of race and disability equity issues to implement change, working collaboratively with residents (Lived Experience Leads), partner organisations and employment support providers. Your role will involve working primarily with Black Disabled Lambeth residents. You will understand and encounter the intersections between being Black and Disabled and the barriers to employment and be able to demonstrate creative and people-centred approaches to influencing change.

dasl’s success comes from dedicated work of our skilled staff, many of whom are Disabled people. You will be valued for who you are in our supportive and friendly team. We pride ourselves on the support we offer staff.  We work flexibly between home and office. Our office in Brixton is accessible.

We highly recommend contacting us to learn more about this exciting role. We can offer a 1:1 informal meeting via phone or video call.

We are looking for an energetic Immigration Adviser to provide advice to destitute migrants with No Recourse to Public Funds in hospitals.

Praxis Community Projects is a dynamic, award-winning human rights charity supporting migrants in crisis or at- risk, ensuring that their essential human needs are met and that they are able to overcome the barriers they face. We provide legal advice, housing projects and a range of welfare support including group work.  We build community, challenge exclusion and discrimination, influence policy, improve services and inspire solidarity with migrants. 

This project is delivered in partnership with Pathway, the UK’s leading homeless healthcare charity. Supported by a project supervisor, you will be responsible for the overall project and delivery of immigration advice and casework to migrants at risk referred by selected Pathway Homeless Healthcare Teams across England. This service is delivered through a mixture of channels including telephone, digital, face-to-face and hybrid working. 

The ideal candidate will have an in-depth knowledge of the issues faced by refugees, asylum seekers and migrants at risk (including EU migrants). The post holder will have a good understanding of the challenges faced by homeless migrants with NRPF and will be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders. 

At Praxis, we work to build community, challenge exclusion and discrimination, influence policy and improve services. We played a leading role in exposing the Windrush scandal and advocate and campaign for lasting changes to policy and practice to address the root causes of the issues faced by at-risk migrants. 

Praxis is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from those with lived experience of migration, and from diverse applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy/maternity leave status. 

Our Attractive Benefits Package Includes  

• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements 

• A hybrid work model  

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays)  

• You can buy up to 3 days annual leave each year  

• A defined contribution pension scheme  

• Our employee assistance programme offers counselling and support for you 24/7.  

• A season ticket loan to help you spread the cost of your commute  

If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Recruitment team who will contact you to discuss how we can help. 

For further details, please contact Daniel Ashwell.

Please see our website to find out more about our work. 

To apply, send us your CV and cover letter demonstrating your capabilities in relation to each of the points of the job description marked ‘A’. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competencies have helped you to achieve positive results. This will give you the best possible chance to be shortlisted. Applications will only be accepted with a cover letter. 

Please note that this advert is being posted at the same time as another part time Immigration Advisor role (Immigration Advisor – Asylum Support hotels), if you would like to apply for both roles as a full-time post then this will be considered and we would welcome you doing so. If you do wish to do so, please submit one application as detailed above and state clearly that you are applying for both posts, explaining how you meet each person specification. You do not need to submit two separate applications.

Deadline: 16/05/204

We are looking for an energetic Immigration Adviser (OISC L1 essential, L2 desirable) for an exciting position providing immigration advice to individuals in Asylum Support hotels in Islington.

The project is delivered through funding from Islington Local Authority and will will include advice and casework for residents of two Asylum Support hotels in the borough. The project was initially funded to respond to an urgent need for specialist legal advice to assist with asylum questionnaires and has since expanded to support with a range of different advice issues including reinstatement of asylum claims, Asylum Support challenges and appeals work. 

The ideal candidate will have an in-depth knowledge of the issues faced by migrants at risk and refugees/asylum seekers. They will have a good understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating the UK asylum system. They will have experience and a commitment to supporting migrants at risk in need of immigration advice. They will be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders. 

Praxis is a dynamic, award-winning human rights charity supporting migrants in crisis or at-risk, ensuring that their essential human needs are met and that they are able to overcome the barriers they face. We work to build community, challenge exclusion and discrimination, influence policy and improve services. We played a leading role in exposing the Windrush scandal and advocate and campaign for lasting changes to policy and practice to address the root causes of the issues faced by at-risk migrants.

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from those with lived experience of migration and from diverse applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy/maternity leave status. 

Our Attractive Benefits Package Includes  

• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements 

• A hybrid work model  

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays)  

• You can buy up to 3 days annual leave each year  

• A defined contribution pension scheme  

• Our employee assistance programme offers counselling and support for you 24/7.  

• A season ticket loan to help you spread the cost of your commute  

If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Recruitment team who will contact you to discuss how we can help. 

For further details, please contact Daniel Ashwell.

Please see our website to find out more about our work. 

To apply, send us your CV and cover letter demonstrating your capabilities in relation to each of the points of the job description marked ‘A’. Where relevant use your answers to illustrate how your competencies have helped you to achieve positive results. This will give you the best possible chance to be shortlisted. Applications will only be accepted with a cover letter. 

Please note that this advert is being posted at the same time as another part time Immigration Advisor role (Immigration Advisor – Asylum Support hotels), if you would like to apply for both roles as a full-time post then this will be considered and we would welcome you doing so. If you do wish to do so, please submit one application as detailed above and state clearly that you are applying for both posts, explaining how you meet each person specification. You do not need to submit two separate applications.

Deadline: 16/05/2024

A great opportunity has arisen for an Editor to join our friendly Health Advice team to provide everyone with a lung condition with the best possible information so they can stay well and out of hospital, regardless of their income, age, ethnicity, gender, or background. All our health information is developed using the latest evidence, with the support of healthcare professionals. And we put people affected by lung conditions at the heart of everything we do.

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

You’ll work with the team to produce high-quality, evidence-based, clinically accurate health advice for people affected by lung conditions, in line with robust editorial processes and health information standards like the PIF TICK. You’ll research, write, review, and edit health advice for our website, printed resources and other media, including video. You’ll also support large-scale health information content projects.

You’ll have excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills (preferably in a healthcare context), strong attention to detail including accurate spelling and grammar, strong digital skills with an excellent working knowledge of SEO best practice, and strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities. As a strong communicator and collaborator, you will have the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues across the organisation.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation committed to being the driving force behind the transformation of lung health.

“Providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice”

Citizens Advice Southwark has a track record of delivering high-quality services from its offices in Peckham and Walworth and outreach locations across Southwark and South East London. We sort out problems together, for good, by providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice across all areas of social welfare law, and through using the experience of our clients to bring about positive change through research and campaigns. 

This post is advertised as an exciting opportunity for an experienced Advice Session Supervisor to consolidate their skills and experience or as a development opportunity for an advisor to train to become an Advice Session Supervisor within six months of starting in post. If applying as a trainee the starting salary will be on NJC Scale 6 - £33,194 for the first six months whilst undertaking the training.

The post holder will be required to work across all of our offices and outreaches in Southwark according to operational needs.

The role includes:

• Providing advice to the public and undertaking casework on social welfare law issues
• Supervising advice and gateway assessment sessions
• Supporting and supervising staff and volunteers

To be successful you will need:

• Recent experience of giving advice to the public. This should include having undertaken advice casework.
• Experience of undertaking the role of Advice Session Supervisor or to demonstrate the ability to undertake this role with training provided within 6 months of starting
• To understand, empathise with and be committed to the Service’s aims, principles and equal opportunities policies

Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 20th May 2024

Interviews: Friday 24th May 2024

For further information and an application pack please visit our website via the apply button

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, an employer matched pension contribution up to 10% salary, and training and development opportunities to continue your professional development.

Citizens Advice Southwark is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.

Hours: 30 hours/week (0.8 FTE), Part time or Job share applications welcomed

About Us

Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell is a local charity that provides advice and information for anyone that lives, works or studies in Epsom and Ewell.

We deliver our service through as many different channels as we can, to make sure we are accessible to everyone.  This includes face to face, phone, video conferencing, and email. The role is based in our Epsom office.

About the Role

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with proven ability of managing and supervising a team. You will have recent relevant experience of working in a local Citizens Advice or similar advice organisation, and be able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the issues facing local communities.

This role involves the supervision of advice sessions, providing guidance and assistance to those working in our Epsom office as well as to staff working from home or in outreach locations.

The post is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the day to day service and the implementation of consistent processes to maintain quality standards. In addition you will manage volunteer advice staff and work closely with the Training team to support their training and development.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to make a difference in people’s lives, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society and helping them to find a way forward.

About You

• Highly motivated with proven ability of managing and supervising others including the ability to develop and motivate staff as well as give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.
• Recent relevant experience of working in a local Citizens Advice or similar advice setting.
• Ability to plan and manage your own work and the work of others in a pressured environment, including: setting priorities; meeting deadlines; and monitoring performance
• Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team including advice work if required.
• Ability to identify ongoing training needs and deliver appropriate support to ensure high quality of service.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in the use of IT systems, including office, case management and benefit calculation systems.
• Commitment to work within the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service, demonstrating an understanding of issues affecting society and the implications on our clients and service.

We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.  We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.  We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, as they are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Closing date: 20th May 2024

Interview Dates: 23rd May 2024

Job Purpose

Money Minded is a new service designed to support adults (18 years and over) in Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow. This role offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate closely with the West London NHS Mental Health Teams, operating within the tri-borough area.

The service provides support with welfare benefits, accessing debt support, housing and well-being. The role of the Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will be to provide advice, guidance and customer representation to tri-borough residents living with Mental Health difficulties. Advice issues may include housing, welfare benefits, council tax, accessing debt support, signposting etc.

The successful candidate will deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals, as agreed with the Service Manager. In addition to advice casework, the Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will also be expected to assist onboarding referrals to the service, as and when needed.

The successful candidate will work closely with the West London NHS Mental Health teams and project volunteers, ensuring adherence to the Advice Quality Standard framework (AQS) and Mind's policies and procedures.

Due to the nature of the work, if successful, you will need to have an up-to-date DBS check completed, prior to undertaking unsupervised client work.

You can download a PDF of the full job description for this role at the bottom of the page.

Place of Work

The Mental Health Information and Advice Officer will be required to work within the West London NHS Mental Health team offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals as agreed with the service manager
• Deliver monthly wellbeing peer support groups/workshops
• Provide advice and information relating to all welfare benefits, including assisting clients with form filling and contacting agencies such as the Department for Work & Pensions on their behalf
• Provide housing advice
• Link in with specialist debt and money support agencies
• Provide information on employment opportunities and training support for clients
• Signpost to other relevant services in the boroughs, or further afield

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Substantial experience of delivering advice in a similar position, preferably to individuals with Mental Health needs
• Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health problems and how they are impacted by social issues
• Experience of delivering advice, information and customer representation
• Experience of managing complex cases
• Experience of working with multiple agencies
• Experience of delivering desired outcomes in a timely manner  
• Up to date knowledge and experience of safeguarding adults
• Understanding of the importance of monitoring and evaluation, and the ability to keep records

Skills & Attributes

• Relevant and up to date knowledge of welfare benefits, housing and social care
• Facilitate and deliver peer support groups for longer term improved wellbeing
• Ability to communicate effectively in person on a one-to-one basis and with groups, as well as over the telephone and in writing
• Excellent listening skills
• Computer literate, with the ability to use MS Office, email systems and databases (inputting information and extracting reports)
• Ability to liaise with a range of people – customers with support needs, carers, and a range of different professionals 
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and reinforce boundaries
• Ability to support people to manage difficult feelings, and communicate their needs effectively
• Strong organisation and administrative skills 
• Flexibility in overall approach to work 

We are an equal opportunities employer; and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

HFEH Mind are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

LOCATION: Across Citizens Advice Hammersmith & Fulham sites with the potential for some hybrid working following completion of successful probationary period.

Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham is recruiting for Advice Services Managers, who will be responsible for the supervision, quality and monitoring performance of the advice and information team. This busy and varied role will rely on your ability to mutli-task and bring out the best in paid and volunteer staff, to ensure the highest quality of advice across our many and varied projects. Working as part of a team with other Advice Services Managers, you will also be responsible for all aspects of risk relating to advice delivery, complaints handling, safeguarding and GDPR.

It is essential that you have the required management skills and a good understanding of the main advice enquiry areas including welfare benefits, housing, debt, and employment as well as a combination of the following attributes:

• Excellent and effective communicator
• Experience in managing and developing staff and volunteers
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and assess priority order
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information
• Experience of working with colleagues to maintain a positive working and learning environment, ensuring equality and diversity principles are upheld 

If you are an experienced Generalist Advisers, and don’t have all the skills required, please consider applying as we are willing to consider appointing the right candidate as a training and development role.

What we can offer you:

We value our people and can offer a supportive culture within a high performing and award winning organisation. 86% of our workforce recommend us as a place to work. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and workplace to represent the diverse communities we service. We are committed to increasing our diversity and whatever your background, we welcome your application. We offer an attractive remuneration package with excellent terms including:

• Generous holiday entitlement starting at 25 days per year (in addition to bankholidays) and rising to 30 days with long service
• Learning, development and personal growth opportunities
• Mental health and Well-being support helpline

We will interview on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close the applications earlier if suitable candidates are found so encourage early applications.

Closing Date: Thursday 16th May 2024

Debt Advice Case Manager

Do you want to help lift some of the most marginalized and vulnerable in our communities out of poverty? We are seeking a Debt Advice Case Manager to work with a small, compassionate, dynamic charity, to help transform lives.

Our client offers comprehensive debt & benefit advice, helps build financial resilience through money education and budget coaching, and offers mentoring to clients with open-ended holistic support to increase their mental wellbeing and social mobility.

If you are passionate about helping people, then this role could be for you. It is much more than just a job - you'll get to see peoples' lives changed and dignity restored!

Internal Job Title: Debt Advice Case Manager

Location: Hounslow, London (will consider hybrid/remote working options)

Salary: £30-34k (FTE) based on experience and location

Contract type: Permanent (6-month probationary period)

Benefits: Enhanced pension scheme, holiday allowance, family-friendly policies, flexible working, learning and development, health and wellbeing.

Closing Date: 3rd June 2024

About the Role:

The primary purpose of this role is to provide debt advice and money education on a case management basis and to support the provision of advice by volunteers. The post holder will be expected to manage their own cases and lead appointment sessions.

The organisation’s mission is to ‘Restore Dignity and Renew Hope’ to those in our communities brought down by poverty and debt. The job holder will play their part in bringing this vision to reality, supporting clients through what at times can be emotionally difficult situations, to get back on their feet and realise their full potential.

The role combines both technical and pastoral elements. The role will involve building a client case, untangling sometimes complex situations, liaising with creditors, providing guidance for volunteers, and discerning and communicating the appropriate choices and strategies for the client. But you will also need to lead client appointments and support clients through what at times can be emotionally difficult situations.

About you:

We are looking for someone with prior debt advice experience who ideally has experience in leading and supervising volunteers.

Essential skills and experience of the Case Manager include:

• Previous experience in providing regulated debt advice on a case management basis
• Being a DRO intermediary would be an advantage
• Demonstrable experience in providing person-focused support to clients who may be vulnerable
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to show empathy, compassion and patience
• Sound IT skills with a strong command of the Microsoft Office suite

Above all else, our client is looking for an individual who is keen to support and play their part in implementing their vision and be an enthusiastic advocate of the work they do to alleviate poverty. They are a faith-based charity and although being a practicing Christian is not an occupational requirement, they are looking for someone comfortable with its Christian ethos and champions its core values. If this sounds like you, then apply today with a CV and cover letter explaining how you are a good fit for the role!

About the organisation:

The organisation was established in October 2009 and saw it’s first client in January 2010. Since then, they have provided advice and support to thousands of families and individuals in difficulty. Set up originally as part of the social action work of Holy Trinity Brompton church in London, the organisation has since expanded, opening up new branches in partnership with numerous churches and running appointments from locations throughout London and the South of England.

Every day the organisation see individuals and families who have been broken by their circumstances, be that illness, bereavement, loss of employment, mental health problems or family breakdown. Through circumstances that any of us would struggle to deal with, they have found themselves facing the prospect of being evicted from their home, struggling to keep the power on, or unable just to meet their basic day-to-day needs.

Other roles you may have experience with could include: Debt Case Manager, Welfare Case Manager, Welfare Advisor, Debt Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Benefit, Debt & Money Advisor, Debt Recovery Advisor, Debt Service Coordinator and Adviser, IVA Advisor, Senior Advisor, Housing Advisor, People Advisor, General Advice Caseworker, Caseworker Supervisor, Senior Benefits Manager, Benefits Lead, Social Welfare Adviser, Benefits Specialist, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Do you have demonstrable experience of giving money and budgeting advice or support in a student facing environment or financial services setting? Do you have an understanding of issues facing students in Higher Education?

We are recruiting for a specialist Money & Budgeting Advisor into our Advice Service to provide money, budgeting and debt advice to our members, oversee the application processes for our expanded hardship funds and to run our new financial literacy programme. This role will work alongside another Money & Budgeting Advisor and with our wider Advice & Wellbeing team, supporting each other to achieve positive outcomes for our students. The post holder will provide accurate finance, debt and budgeting advice and information to students using the Advice Service including casework, support and advocacy.

We are a registered charity employing over 100 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking new Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We support flexible working, with hybrid working for all staff.

Excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work.

This role is a fixed term maternity cover role for 9 months (with possible extension).

I&A Adviser role

Information & Advice Adviser

Mitcham (On-site) with hybrid working available after a successful training period.

£28,000 - £31,500 per year

Full time or Part Time

Contract (Fixed term until 31 March 2025)

Own car desirable but not essential. You will be required to undertake home visits across the borough of Merton.

Job description

Information and Advice Adviser

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week or 2 part time roles. We are open to flexible working discussions.

Salary: £28,000 - £31,500 per year

Location: This role will be based at our Elmwood Road Centre in Mitcham, with regular travel across the Borough of Merton.

After training and development, and after successful completion of the probationary period, there may be an option for hybrid working.

Reports to: This role reports to our Information and Advice Manager and is part of the wider Age UK Merton Community Support team.

About the role

We are recruiting an Information & Advice Adviser who will be joining a progressive, inclusive and dynamic team, an integral part of our Community Support model, and wider Age UK Merton services.

The Information & Advice Adviser is a vital role that works directly with older people who come to the service seeking information and advice on pension age benefits.

Last year the service worked to support over 800 older adults with information and advice on benefits, health, housing and care, and assisted the uptake of nearly £400,000 of previously unclaimed benefits.

An important part of this role will be to triage initial client needs which have been referred into the service by both internal and external partners, this will then ensure the team provides the right advice and high-quality support, whether on the phone, email or face to face.

You will be joining an accredited advice service (with the Advice Quality Standard), delivered by a high calibre team and you will be given opportunities to train and develop in the role.

About you

You are an enthusiastic, motivated and organised person with excellent people skills who is looking for a role where real impact is made on the lives of the people you are supporting. You will need to have attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills to support the complex and diverse range of issues that our clients face.

Experience in the information and advice sector is desirable but not essential as full training will be given. What is important is your ability to work as part of a team but also using your initiative, being flexible and collaborative across the team at Age UK Merton. All our employees demonstrate our values of Quality, Integrity, Kindness, Inclusivity and Collaboration, and you will see this reflected throughout the people who make Age UK a wonderful place to work.

About us

Age UK Merton supports over 3,000 older people a year, our mission is to provide quality advice and services that meet the needs of older adults in Merton.

We have a comprehensive package of employee support, including a holistic approach to our employees’ health and wellbeing.

We offer:

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays. In recognition of long service, this annual leave entitlement will increase to 27 days after 5 years’ continuous service, and to 30 days after 10 years’ continuous service.

Age UK Merton gifts an additional three days leave between Christmas and New Year.

Admittance to our employee benefit scheme Medicash- a suite of health and wellbeing support.

Enrolment into our pension scheme.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, we would love to hear from you!

Job Purpose: To develop and manage, to a high standard, Age UK Bromley & Greenwich’s Information and Advice Service. To be responsible for the effective delivery of the I&A Service which will be delivered through a range of channels, including face to face, telephone, email, digital, and other means, across the Bromley and Greenwich boroughs.

Key Responsibilities:

Line management and supervision

• Provide line management and supervision to advisers and support staff.
• Supervising team advice sessions and casework
• Manage the practicalities of the advice session and ensure adequate staffing and resources.
• Undertake monthly supervision with individual team members and annual appraisal.
• Ensure referrals are actioned and clients are supported in a timely manner.
• Develop team competence in key advice areas. (Benefits, Housing,  Social care)
• Provide technical support to advisers and identify areas of further development for individuals and the team.

Support learning and development

• Support the team to embrace continuous learning and development and provide timely feedback on cases reviewed.
• Make recommendations for staff training and development areas of need.

Staff recruitment and development

• Create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well-managed, dignity at work is upheld and everyone can do their best.
• Participate in recruitment and selection activities as delegated.
• Undertake new  staff induction.
• Ensure the team receive appropriate support, supervision and appraisal and have opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Quality assurance and reporting

• Undertake Independent File Reviews ( IFR) and monitor the quality  to meet quality standards and service level agreements
• Maintain and develop  QAS/ AQS standards incl. renewal process.
• Ensure remedial and developmental issues are identified and acted on to develop individuals, improve the quality of advice, and ensure clients do not suffer detriment due to poor or inadequate advice.
• Keep technical knowledge up to date and provide technical support to advisers.
• Maintain a case load as demonstration of ongoing personal development and learning.
• Undertake advice work as required e.g. during staff absences.
• Provide statistical reports on outputs and outcomes as required by funders and management
• Review and implement outcome measures for the work of the I&A team, including an annual survey of clients.

Partnership working and development

• To manage networking/ liaison with other local key stakeholders and organisations and feed into wider local engagement and community development work.
• Develop effective partner relationships with referral agencies across  both boroughs, and to refer/ signpost cases to external agencies as appropriate.
• Represent the organisation at outreach and community events as required, continuing to raise the organisational profile and develop wider awareness of our services.
• Work with colleagues to develop marketing materials, give talks and presentations, identify outreach opportunities .
• Identify opportunities to develop and grow the wider information and advice service

We are looking to recruit highly motivated and committed individuals, to join our high performing, friendly and supportive team that prides itself on the difference we make to our clients lives daily.

About the role:

We began a contract with the Ministry of Justice in June 2021, delivering a pan London Housing Advice & Interventions Service, in partnership with St Mungo's. With Single Homeless Project staff co-located in probation offices, you will be working in close partnership with Probation Services, to support people on probation to either sustain their current accommodation or to secure new housing as needed. 

We are seeking people who could deliver housing advice, guidance and support to clients. Working with a caseload in your local designated boroughs, you will produce comprehensive and high-quality assessments on their support needs; particularly their housing, employment and financial needs and follow the most suitable pathway for them. 

We are also looking for people who are interested in working in this sector and with this client group.  We encourage applications from those, who are also at the beginning of their career path - graduates and those with transferrable skills & experience.

About you:

• Some understanding of working in supported housing or floating support services, with a demonstrable knowledge of Housing and other related Legislation or a relevant qualification

• Experience of managing complex and difficult situations in relation to vulnerable client group(s). 

• Ability to effectively liaise with a range of service providers or agencies in order to establish or improve services for clients. 

• An understanding of the principles underlying a quality service, and customer focused, with proven ability to empower service users. 

• Ability to be self-motivating, work under pressure, and manage time effectively, prioritising different areas of work according to need

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 10,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We love what we do and we're passionate about making a difference to the lives of the people we work with.

Single Homeless Project grew out of an understanding of the needs of homeless and socially excluded people in London, and 40 years on, this remains the driving force shaping the organisation today. We work with our clients as equals in a spirit of trust and mutual respect, trying to put their needs and views at the centre of everything we do.

As employees are our greatest asset, we strive to maintain a culture in which they are supported and listened to, developing services in a responsive and flexible way which draws on the energy, commitment and expertise of our people.

Important info:

Closing date: Monday 3rd June 2024 (at Midnight)

Interviews to be held on: Thursday 13th June 2024

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed for the successful applicant. Please note checks may take 8+ weeks before the successful candidates can onboard.