Housing And Welfare Benefits Advisor Jobs in Greater London
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).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Drive Partnership Programme Manager
37.5 hours per week with flexible working hours and provision of an out-of-hours response as needed
£49,299 - £52,387
Fixed Term for 2 years
Home based with some travel to pilot sites when the role requires it
The Role
In April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act received Royal Assent. The Act introduces a new civil Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) to provide immediate protection following a domestic abuse incident, and a new civil Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) to provide flexible, longer-term protection for victims. DAPOs can impose both prohibitions and positive requirements on perpetrators. We were commissioned by the Home Office to design a triage model that will assess individuals for the suitability of these interventions; this triage model will be rolled out in the pilot sites which are going live in May 2024 and will be tested and evaluated in order to prepare for national roll out in 2026.The Programme Manager will oversee the roll out and delivery of the DAPO pilot Triage Model.
Benefits:
- 34 days’ holiday per year, including public holidays
- Flexible Working (e.g. compressed hours)
- Cycle-to-work Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Pension Scheme with 4% employer contribution
- Childcare Vouchers
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Clinical Supervision
- Holiday Purchase Scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
- Enhanced Family Leave Policies
- Enhanced Sick Pay
- Professional Development Fund
- Individual learning budget
- Restorative Practice Training
- Time Off In Lieu
If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.
Closing date: 16th May 2024
SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all, please see our job description for full details.
No agencies please.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Young Lives vs Cancer (YLvC) help families to find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them.
Citizens Advice Hammersmith and Fulham working in partnership with the national charity YLvC delivers a pioneering project via multi channels (telephone/email/web) providing advice to families of young people affected by cancer.
The project is expanding and we are recruiting a Welfare Rights Benefits Adviser and a Housing Adviser.
The project requires dynamic advisers who can sensitively, engage with families in an often difficult time. Reassure them in terms of options and steps they can take to address the welfare rights/housing issues they are experiencing. Knowing they have options to consider gives them reassurance in a time of uncertainty.
Working with the YLvC team who are located across the UK, advice provided by the project Advisers will also support YLvC social workers, to better help the families and young people accessing the charity support.
Housing Adviser - YLvC-Hgs1
Hours: 22. 5 hours per week equivalent to three days per week
Location: Hammersmith and Fulham Potential hybrid delivery on completion of probationary period
Salary Range: £31-£33k (pro-rata full time salary)
Type of Contract: Fixed Term one year from appointment (extension subject to performance)
Welfare Benefits Adviser - YLvC-Wel1
Hours: 15 hours per week equivalent to two days per week
Location: Hammersmith and Fulham Potential hybrid delivery on completion of probationary period
Salary Range: £31-£33k (pro-rata full time salary)
Type of Contract: Fixed Term one year from appointment (extension subject to performance)
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 serve. 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 bank holidays) and rising to 30 days with long service
- Learning, development and personal growth opportunities
- Mental health and Well-being support helpline
We will consider applicants who apply for Welfare Benefits Advisor and Housing Advisor roles combined in one full-time post.
We interview on a rolling basis and therefore reserve the right to close the applications earlier if suitable candidates are found, so encourage early applications.
To find out more please visit our website via the apply button
Closing Date: Thursday 16th May 2024
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Housing Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 (pro rata)
Location: Hammersmith and another London borough (tbc)
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
We are excited to be taking the lead in the London Whole Housing Service Partnership (LWHSP) which will address and enhance the pathways of housing support for women experiencing domestic abuse, from removing them from immediate harm, to enabling recovery and resettlement across all levels of need. The LWHSP are seeking to build on our delivery across 11 East and West London boroughs of the Whole Housing Approach (WHA).
The Housing IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. You will specialise in working with clients for whom housing, and risk of tenancy breakdown is a factor. You will work within the team to make proactive contact and provide high quality advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment to women, focusing on working with those aged 18 and over who access the domestic abuse service. You will hold a caseload of survivors and will also be required to work as part of Advance’s duty team on a rota basis which will involve completing intake assessments and providing crisis intervention support.
About You:
As a Housing IDVA, you will need to have a degree of flexibility for colocation work across London boroughs; providing support to women who have experienced domestic violence, focusing on individuals with housing or tenancy issues. Working in our fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy and support service, you’ll ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. You will have your own caseload of survivors and will focus on working with those aged 18 and over who access our domestic abuse service.
You will bring experience in providing independent domestic violence advocacy and support for women who approach housing advice and assessment for help. Ideally experience in working with housing service providers, and advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies. You will have the ability to develop individual safety and support plans in-line with the clients’ needs and the risks they face.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
· Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday 28 May 2024 @ 23:59
· Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
A fantastic Disability charity based in Camden are looking for a highly motivated Generalist Advisor (Welfare Benefits).
Salary: £32,000 - £36,000 (dependant on experience)
Location: London Borough of Camden. Hybrid working considered for the right candidate.
As Generalist Advisor (Welfare Benefits), you will work in a holistic way, managing and holding complex cases and advocating for clients across statutory services, specialist advice partners and community organisations.
The successful candidate will have 2 years' recent experience in a welfare rights advice role and up to date knowledge of welfare benefits especially relating to Disabled adults and young Disabled people and their families. You will also need a basic understanding of housing, social care and independent living issues as they impact on Disabled people and a willingness to seek further training in this area.
If you’re interested in hearing more, please do get in touch ASAP for the full job pack.
Please note, CVS are being reviewed on a rolling basis and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the Merton Team working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home and be co-located in the Housing department at Merton Civic Centre.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?
If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…
What we offer:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
- Clinical supervision and group reflective practice
About the role:
This role is a hybrid working role based in the Housing department, Merton Civic Centre.
As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:
- Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
- Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
- Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.
You will need:
- Have a knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
- Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
- Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
- Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- Direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
- Have excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
- Have a strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
About Us:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
How to apply:
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We look forward to hearing from you.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.
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
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
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
We're looking for two kind, compassionate and resilient Independent Domestic Violence Advisers to join our Homelessness service in London.
£31,000.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.
Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
The role of an IDVA is to address the safety of victims and survivors at high risk of harm at point of referral into the refuge.
IDVAs work with their customers within the refuge from the point of crisis by safety planning and risk assessing using the DASH to ascertain the level of risk to the victim.
The post holder will be required to work alongside refuge staff to support customers with complex needs who have been referred into the refuge.
The post is restricted to females only due to the nature of the role. The occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
You will be part of a rota and some evening and weekend work may be required.
This role is a Fixed Term Contract, lasting nine months.
This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.
What you'll do:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Look Ahead IDVAs have the personal qualities required to manage customer expectations alongside the responsibilities of their role. Day to day IDVA activities include:
* Manage customer referrals, completing Dash Risk Assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
* Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere.
* Oversee On Track implementation from an operational perspective during the initial upload of cases to ensure that any issues are highlighted to management.
* Regular attendance at Marac and oversight of all Marac referrals.
* Conducting regular Casework Management sessions with each member of the refuge team in order to oversee and close cases in a timely manner. .
* Support Customers to obtain Non Molestation Orders where needed and any other civil remedies available to them.
* Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
* Attending all court and Case Management hearings with or as a representative for customers.
* Supporting customers to set personalised goals in the form of a Safety and Support Plan.
* Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents.
* Safety planning with customers.
* Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes.
* Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
* Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
What you'll bring:
Essential:
* IDVA Qualification essential
About us:
Look Ahead is a dynamic, leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. As an organisation we deliver over 110 services, providing support to around 7000 customers each year. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.
Please see our website for full job description.
Hours: Full- and part-time positions
Contract: Permanent
Location: CAML charity offices and outreach venues
Salary (pro rata for part time): From £28,000 per annum
Annual Leave: 25 days (pro rata for part time), Charity Day, plus public holidays
Pension: The charity operates a pension scheme
The charity offers an employee assistance programme
Deadline: 6pm, Thursday 16th May 2024
Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML) is the leading advice charity supporting individuals and families across the London boroughs of Lambeth, Merton and beyond. We provide a range of information, support and advice services. We also work to raise awareness and understanding of the challenging issues affecting our clients and communities.
We are looking for an accredited Debt Adviser to provide comprehensive debt advice and support to those in need. If you have at least one year’s experience as an accredited debt adviser, passionate about supporting individuals and families in need and interested in joining a dedicated, professional team we would love to hear from you.
If you are not an accredited Debt Adviser but you are an accredited Generalist Adviser with at least one year’s experience, are willing to complete the relevant training, passionate about supporting Merton and Lambeth residents, we would love to hear from you.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of casework. You will also be very well informed with regards to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to debt and benefits.
Our offices have excellent public transport links and Mitcham also has a carpark. We offer a friendly and welcoming work environment and can provide flexible work opportunities dependent on service demands.
Main duties and responsibilities
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Provide comprehensive, full range of debt advice in line with Financial Conduct Authority and Debt Advice Quality Framework
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Commit to train for debt adviser (if trainee) and ongoing training/development (all roles) as requested by the charity
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Provide generalist advice in benefits, income maximisation and housing as required
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Complete Debt Relief Orders on behalf of clients (if accredited)
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Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor approach to advice accordingly
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Provide a clear plan of action and follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate
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Follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate
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Identify and escalate serious problems, including safeguarding, appropriately
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Ability to work to own initiative within a team environment.
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Work closely with service colleagues and wider CAML team
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Support clients in CAML offices and outreach venues
Monitoring Quality and Case Recording
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Ensure all client engagement and support is comprehensively and accurately recorded
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Review your work, and monitor quality standards, as per the Citizens Advice quality framework
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Ensure data protections regulations are adhere and office procedures followed
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Work with your line manager, senior managers and charity colleagues to develop and improve services, and your own standards.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
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With wider charity team and other organisations, ensure clients are supported with related advice issues
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Ensure all work is fully compliant with our policies and procedures and Citizens Advice Quality Standard
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Assist and contribute to the charity’s communications, research and campaigns work
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Maintain positive working relations with our stakeholders
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Professionally represent Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth
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Other duties as requested by your line manager, senior manager and Chief Executive
Professional Development
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All our team receive comprehensive induction to the charity and our work. We support Advisers in their professional development to ensure we’re up to date with recent legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to benefits and debt and undertake appropriate training as agreed with your line manager (Head of Advice Services).
Person Specification
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Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent) – Essential
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Accredited debt adviser (either through relevant Citizens Advice debt training, Wiser Adviser training). – Essential for accredited role
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Willingness to undertake training and development to comply with Citizens Advice quality standards
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Experience of using client management databases (we use Casebook) - Desirable
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Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and manage caseload - Essential
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IT competency and experience - Essential
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Ability and willingness to work as a team - Essential
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Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice service - Essential
This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.
If you’re interested in the role and joining us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please follow the link to our website to find out how to apply. (please note we will not consider CVs for this role).
The deadline for applications is 6pm, Thursday 16th May 2024.
If you do not hear from us, we are afraid your application was unsuccessful.
We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and stored.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Senior Multiple Needs Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate
Salary: £30,000-£32,000
Location: Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone & Hammersmith – Advance Head Office
Hours: 35 Hours per week (a late shift once per week till 7pm)
Contract: Fixed Term – 12 months (from start of employment)
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
The Senior Multiple Needs Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) will work within a dynamic, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service based at the CGL Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone. The IDVA will provide support in the local community and at the Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone. The successful candidate will be co-located up to 5 days a week at the Women’s Wellness Zone.
The IDVA will be closely working alongside CGL colleagues/team to deliver support to women with a range of complex support needs including substance misuse, mental health, domestic abuse, sex working, trafficking, and offending behaviour. The IDVA will work in collaboration with their team members to holistically support women in the borough of Ealing to achieve sustained recovery, improved health and wellbeing, helping women to manage/mitigate risks, and empowering them to reach their fullest potential in society as well as ensuring the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process.
The Senior Multiple Needs IDVA will assess the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support. As well as identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs. They will also proactively advocate and advice women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, encouraging them to engage with other agencies, and help co-ordinate the provision of multi-agency support where necessary.
About You:
To be successful as the Senior Multiple Needs IDVA you will need to have:
Excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, of best practice in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, and of the MARAC. As well as understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working within a related field.
Bringing your experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, and crisis planning and successfully managing high numbers of referrals and experience of working in a co-located setting with another agency and providing consultations/briefings to professionals to support in upskilling them around Domestic Abuse. The candidate will have experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to work as part of an innovative service, designed to offer multi-disciplinary wrap-around support to women with multiple needs, with the aim of facilitating long-term recovery.
We enthusiastically welcome applications from Substance Misuse Workers/Practitioners, Recovery Workers, Recovery Practitioners, Recovery Coordinators, Drug Workers, Alcohol Workers and Needle Exchange Workers who meet the specified requirements.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
· Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 22 May 2024
· Interviews are taking place on Thursday 30 May 2024
· *Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Citizens Advice Hertsmere is a great place to work, with a friendly and supportive team. We are looking to take on a Debt Caseworker to join our small debt advice team. You will be providing advice to clients supporting them through the debt advice process, including dealing with emergencies, income maximisation, budgeting advice and ultimately helping with a debt strategy.
You will need to:
- Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies
- Negotiate with third parties in writing and on the telephone
- Act for clients where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning
- Be numerate and able to analyse data and draw conclusions
- Have good communication and IT skills
Role purpose
To deliver an excellent quality debt advice service to clients, with due regard to the aims, policies and procedures of the organisation and service, working within a client focussed and responsive team.
About Us
Citizens Advice Hertsmere (CAH) is an independent local charity and a member of the national Citizens Advice network. We deliver high-quality advice across Hertsmere and campaign on issues that matter to residents. Our primary office is in Elstree with outreach locations in Bushey and Potters Bar.
Our staff and volunteers supported clients with a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, employment, housing, relationship, and consumer issues. We provide our advice face to face, telephone, and email.
We are a forward-thinking organisation, committed to continually improving, expanding, and developing our services to better serve our local community.
We are a friendly, supportive team, and we are looking for another person to strengthen our debt team. There are opportunities for progression within our service and we encourage and support our staff to achieve their potential. We believe that what we do matters.
Please submit the application form as your cover letter
You will provide support to our Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinic Consultant to co-ordinate the efficient service delivery of our busy Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinics, used by clients who need assistance to make successful applications for: welfare benefits; social housing; lower utility and broadband tariffs; and crisis and general grants. You will work with a wide range of people internally and externally, providing support and supervision to volunteer advisers and helping clients.
You will be a confident communicator who will have the right blend and balance of strong administration skills with excellent interpersonal and customer-facing skills and legal knowledge, working for a charity supporting and enhancing the lives of people in the local community.
This role is central to Westway Trust’s commitment to deliver activities and events to the benefit of the North Kensington community. You will also work from and help to co-ordinate the delivery of our Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinic at our outreach site, St Luke’s Community Centre, EC1V.
Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:
General Duties
- Being the initial point of contact; receiving calls and emails from clients and referring agencies, , and booking client appointments in an efficient and timely manner
- Setting up and clearing away after Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinic sessions, (currently, Tuesdays, at St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, Islington, EC1, and Wednesdays at Westway Trust, 1 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove, W10). Sessions start at 9.00am and finish around 1.00pm
- Meeting, greeting and orienting (showing where the facilities are and H&S guidance) clients and volunteers
- Triaging clients on to our database and referring clients who are out of scope to other relevant organisations
- Assisting clients to complete online and paper forms both face-to-face and remotely
- Liaising in a positive manner with our stakeholders, eg. clients, other teams within Westway Trust, our funder, a City Law firm, and our hosts, Westway Trust and St Luke’s Community Centre
- Responsibility for monitoring our work, completing simple reports, writing case studies, making sure volunteers complete their data entry after advising clients, and running case management statistics using AdvicePro, our case management system) (training on AdvicePro will be provided)
- Recruiting, inducting, training and supervising volunteers both corporate (from the City) and lay (students and local residents)
- Casework; writing up case notes about clients helped
- Attending relevant meetings and training and keeping resources up-to-date
- General administration including: photocopying, scanning and record keeping, and coordinating the general day-to-day activities of the Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinics
- Effectively contributing to make our Cost-of-Living Crisis Clinics high performing in line with the values of Westway Trust
Appeals & Representation Duties
Responsibility for our legal appeals representation service, including:
- Triaging clients, including reading appellant’s hearing bundles to assess the merits of their case
- Case management of appellants’' appeal cases, (ie, smooth management of appellants' cases from inception to post-hearing)
- Attending hearings
- Guiding and case managing lawyers/law students on applications for leave to appeal/set aside to the Upper Tribunal/Judiciary, (from the Lower Tribunal). Full training will be given
Qualifications: You will have or be working towards a law degree or equivalent.
Knowledge and Experience:
- A good understanding of the law in any jurisdiction
- Experience of providing an efficient, customer focused service, with a personable and collaborative approach and ability to provide, develop and maintaining friendly positive relationships with customers, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Excellent administrative skills
- High level of IT skills. Experience of using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and database software (we use AdvicePro)
Personal Skills:
- Good people management/awareness skills
- Good communication and presentation skills, orally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently and on own initiative with minimum supervision
- Ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural and diverse environment
- An inquisitive mind and good problem solver
- Interest in civil law
- Good memory and research skills
- Demonstrable understanding and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Connections to/understanding of North Kensington or the surrounding area is highly desirable
We exist to work together with the local community to enable North Kensington to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.