An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Outreach Advisor to join our Advice Team at the SVP. The ideal candidate will provide advice at outreach venues and over the phone to clients, including; income maximisation, through the take up of appropriate benefits and housing issues, form filling, researching & exploring options, and assisting the client where necessary to find an appropriate solution, and written appeal submissions to HMCTS. This is an interesting opportunity to work for a flexible employer committed to its staff. 

Working Hours - You will be contracted to 37.5 hours per week

Location - St Vincent’s Bradford

Contract - Fixed term Contract until March 2023

Salary - You will be paid up to £24,960 dependent on experience  

DBS - This role will require an Enhanced DBS check

Benefits Package - 33 days holiday (pro rata) per year inclusive of bank holidays increasing to 38 days with service, competitive pension scheme, birthday day off, cycle to work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick pay, buy/sell holiday schemes and lots more.

YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interview clients using sensitive listening and assertive questioning skills to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and to empower them to set their own priorities.
• Deliver appropriate advice during triage and make appropriate judgements about signposting of clients to appropriate self-help resources or booking appropriate appointment at an on-line or physical outreach session.
• Use relevant resources to find, interpret and communicate the appropriate information.
• Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions.
• Act for the client where necessary, for example by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.
• Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate.
• Refer internally or to other specialist agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure all work complies with the relevant advice quality standard.
• Maintain detailed and up-to-date case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.
• Complete all case details on Advice Pro and maintain accurate records in a timely and efficient manner according to policy and procedures.
• Use IT to ensure accurate recording of information relating to socio-economic data and funding requirements, record keeping and document production.
• Provide statistical and outcomes data on client cases and nature of cases/outcomes.
• Demonstrate commitment to the aims and ethos of the SVP its policies and procedures and the effective delivery of services.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU’LL NEED:

• Educated to A-level or equivalent
• Evidence of maintaining CPD with relation to Welfare Advice
• Previous experience in advice giving and triage work
• Demonstrated ability to deliver appropriate advice on a range of Welfare Advice areas
• Evidence of up-to-date knowledge of legislation relating to Welfare Advice
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of IT systems, including case management systems
• A good up-to-date understanding of equality and diversity and its application to the provision of advice.
• Understanding of the issues affecting society and their implications for clients and service provision.

In return, we’ll provide you with the opportunity to work for a welcoming organisation that offers support and guidance with the opportunity to progress.

HOW TO APPLY:

Closing Date: 1st July 2022

Deadline for Application Packs: 4th July 2022

Interviews: 7th July 2022

If you feel you have the relevant skills and experience to fulfil this role successfully, please apply in the first instance with your CV. Applicants shortlisted to the next stage of the recruitment process will then be send a short application pack to complete. If you have any further questions, please contact us..

Previous candidates need not apply. Unfortunately, if you have not received a response within four weeks of your application, you have not been successful on this occasion.

The St Vincent de Paul Society (or as it is often known - the SVP) is an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing practical assistance to those in need. We feed the hungry, we support the homeless, we visit the lonely and we befriend the stranger.

Whilst we ask that staff have sympathy with the Christian values, religion is not taken into account in recruitment as we value people of all faiths or none.