Generalist welfare benefits advisor jobs
Job purpose
To support Debt Advisers in their roles and ensure that the advice provided to overindebted Clients is accurate, effective and tailored to individuals’ circumstances. To support, and regularly audit delivery partner organisations, ensuring that they are prepared for external reviews of their service in line with their Grant Agreement.
Scope of role
The Debt Technical Supervisor is responsible for supporting Debt Advisers to ensure the delivery of accurate, effective, and tailored advice to over-indebted clients. This role involves conducting debt-advice interview observations, reviewing case files, and identifying training needs for advisers. The Debt Technical Supervisor provides real-time support and constructive feedback, helping advisers navigate complex cases and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and information. Additionally, the role includes auditing delivery partner organisations to prepare them for external reviews and supporting them in meeting compliance and quality standards. The supervisor will collaborate with the Quality Assurance Manager to promote best practices, address risks, and contribute to the continuous professional development of advisers.
Key working relationships
Head of Quality and Compliance, Quality Assurance Manager, Debt Advisers, Delivery Partner Organisations, Training and Wellbeing Manager, Funders and External Partners, Recognising Excellence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Support Debt Advisers in their roles and ensure that the advice provided to over- indebted Clients is accurate, effective and tailored to individuals’ circumstances.
- Conducting debt-advice interview observations
- Undertaking debt advice file reviews
- Identifying advisers’ soft skill and technical training needs
- Providing constructive feedback, and pastoral support, to advisers and their line managers
- Providing real-time support to advisers, which will include but is not limited to providing guidance in complex matters and provide advisers with sources of information.
2. Support, and regularly audit delivery partner organisations, ensuring that they are prepared for external reviews of their service in line with the Grant Agreement.
- Ensure partner organisation are kept up to date with the requirements for external assessments.
- Supporting partner organisations with the preparation and review of files and documentation ahead of an external assessment.
- Support partner organisations with the implementation of any remedial actions following an external review and support advisors to identify suitable training to improve areas highlighted.
3. Ensure project compliance and quality requirements are achieved.
- Working closely with the Quality Assurance Mangers to ensure Advisors based at delivery partners have a good awareness and understanding of the quality and service delivery requirements and have active involvement in the delivery of partnership events related to both quality improvement and CPD.
- Working collaboratively to share good practice in performance and quality improvement and to progress key priority areas of work.
- Escalating risks promptly and appropriately and contributing to wider monitoring and reporting requirements.
4. Contribute to Team
- Work to an agreed work-plan meeting targets and milestones
- Prioritise and manage your own workload
- Be an active member of the team, identifying opportunities for your development. Work in collaboration with our funder, and with colleagues from across their other funded organisations, contributing to key projects and meetings.
- Compliance with Toynbee Hall policies and procedures, including health and safety. Demonstrate financial efficiency and value for money throughout work.
- Ensure that all services comply with equal opportunities and other relevant policies and quality standards and good practice
Other:
- Travel across London as required, and occasionally the UK
- Undertake additional tasks as defined by the Quality Managers, Managing Director and Toynbee Hall’s Senior Leadership Team.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
1. Experience and Skills:
- A minimum of two years’ full time (2,220 hours) or equivalent part-time experience of delivering debt advice
- Hold a valid Money and. Pension Service accredited qualification in debt advice
- Have recent knowledge and experience of specialist debt casework
- Ability to supervise, develop and motivate a team of Debt Advisers to achieve performance, quality and Continuous Professional Development
- Understanding of the issues involved in interviewing clients (all channels)
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and produce and present clear reports verbally and in writing in cross cultural settings.
- Ability to work with funders and (partner) organisations to earn and maintain the trust of the people with whom Toynbee Hall deals.
- Experience of the monitoring, managing and evaluation of projects and performance
- Have achieved the MaPS competency requirements for a Technical Debt Supervisor (or be working towards these) and have experience of monitoring casework for quality.
- Proven ability to work creatively to support change management using a solution-based approach that resolves issues and accomplishes goals
- Ability to lead and contribute to the team, including the ability to prioritise own work and the work of others, and take decisions in relation to service delivery and rota cover (if required)
- Ability to create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff are empowered and motivated to do their best
- Ability to best use IT systems and packages in the provision of advice services, including Microsoft Office, Teams, and case recording tools eg AdvicePro
2. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
- Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Competence in handling sensitive information with discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
3. Personal Attributes:
- High level of professionalism and integrity.
- Ability to work independently and proactively without supervision.
- Capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, adopting a “find a solution, no blame” attitude.
- Open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative approach, seeking fresh and alternative perspectives.
- Commitment to empowering others by sharing knowledge and enabling action.
4. Commitment:
- Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values.
- Willingness to participate in training and develop further understanding in areas such as safeguarding.
Please download the full Job Description for more details.
Our Benefits Package
We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.
Annual Leave
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
- After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
- After 3 years: +1 additional day.
- After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.
Pension
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%
Additional Perks & Support
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!
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.
We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.
We work towards this by:
- Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
- Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
- Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.
This means:
- Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
- Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
- Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.
What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
Immediate reports: Welfare Benefits Team Lead, Training Lead, Supervision Lead, Debt
Caseworkers, Energy Advisor.
Hours: Full time – 36 hours (there is some flexibility for the right candidate)
Salary: £26,994 – £28,922 dependent on experience
Main Purpose of Job
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To be responsible for the delivery of all aspects of our advice services via telephone, email/web, in person and at outreach venues.
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To line manage team leads, debt caseworkers and the energy adviser and support them in achieving high standards of accessible advice services.
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To oversee the use of our volunteer adviser resources to cover each of our advice channels in the most effective way.
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To liaise with the training lead to ensure we have sufficient, well trained volunteer advice resources to deliver our service.
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To ensure cover for Advice Session Supervisors when needed
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To provide training, guidance and support on client records, telephone channel and quality standards
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To design and implement improvements to our advice processes based on best practice, leading and gaining buy-in from team members as necessary.
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To be overall responsible for the quality of our advice in line with our Quality of Advice framework and IFR’s to drive the organisation towards excellence in quality.
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To be responsible for ensuring Debt technical supervision is in place and carry out continuous professional development activities and duties within the organisation.
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In maintaining quality, you will need to inspire and motivate your team and provide focussed individual support where necessary to achieve internal and external quality and KPI standards
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To drive a culture of continuous workforce development where a rigorous but supportive approach is adopted
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You will identify the best quality tools and execute investigations/analysis to improve workforce competency and quality across the organisation, and support our brand reputation
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Monitor and track performance progress of the service and of individuals against targets, achievement of deadlines and support staff as appropriate
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To undertake regular team meetings in line with the organisation’s quality expectations
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To undertake regular formal supervisions and review meetings
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Create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff can do their best
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Encourage good teamwork and lines of communication between all staff and volunteers
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Ensure the core contracts are appropriately staffed at all times to achieve the expected standards and targets.
Research and Campaigns
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To ensure the advice team contribute to the development of social policy in line with our business plan
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To assist with social policy work as required by the organisation
Management duties
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You will be accountable and responsible for delivering the service delivery related objectives and outcomes from the organisation’s Business Plan and service-related KPIs.
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Prepare and issue reports as required for the CEO, funders and partners, attending meetings as required to present findings and recommendations
Learning and professional development
Keep up to date with legislation relevant to the role, trends, ideas and thinking
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Attend and actively participate in regular support and supervision sessions and appraisals with the Chief Executive Officer
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Identify own learning and development needs and plan to meet them.
Administration
Ensure that detailed records for the purposes of information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation are maintained and developed
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Produce comprehensive, analytical and developmental oral and written reports on the work of the service as required.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
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Undertake advice work as required, including supporting contracts and projects outside of the generalist service.
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Support with the efficient and effective use of Casebook, gathering, storing and analysing data and contributing to the reporting processes for services, projects and contracts.
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Keep up to date with Citizens Advice aims, policies and procedures and ensure these are followed.
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Ensure that work reflects and supports the Citizens Advice service's equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.
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Develop and maintain effective admin systems and records relevant to the role.
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Act as key holder and open or close the building when necessary.
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Attend regular internal and external meetings relevant to the role and to services at outreach locations.
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Work cooperatively with colleagues and encourage good teamwork, clear lines of communication and common practices within the team.
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Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own health and safety and that of colleagues; taking particular account of this at outreach and shared locations.
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Identify own learning and development needs and take steps to address these.
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Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.
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Ensure all data protection and GDPR requirements are adhered to in all work for which the post is responsible.
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Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the Citizens Advice service
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Encourage staff to understand the importance of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, implement the strategy, and act as a role model for EDI, including challenging any inappropriate comments or attitudes.
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Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with your line manager.
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Take personal responsibility for your own actions and for sorting out issues or problems that arise.
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Review and make recommendations for improvements to the service.
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Comply with all Citizens Advice information assurance guidelines.
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Work cooperatively with colleagues and encourage good teamwork, clear lines of communication and common practices within the team.
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As directed by the CEO, carry out other duties within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery of the service
In addition you must be prepared to train up to do the following:
Debt Advice giving
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Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills in order to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
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Use appropriate resources to find, interpret and communicate the relevant information to clients.
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Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions.
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Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.
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Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate.
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Ensure that all work conforms to the organisation’s office manual and the Advice Quality standard / other funding requirements, as appropriate.
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Ensure that work reflects and supports the Citizens Advice service’s equality and diversity strategy.
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Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.
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Take ownership for monitoring own workload e.g. proactively reviewing progress on current cases, outcome of completed cases and quality control.
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Be a DRO approved intermediary.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
A local charity providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.