Generalist advice caseworker jobs
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Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CA-SH) is an independent local charity and a company limited by guarantee.
We provide free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice and information for the benefit of the local community, to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and to ensure individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge or an inability to express their needs effectively.
The Role
Reporting to the Chair of the Trustee Board, the Chief Officer
● Is responsible to the Trustee Board for the management and leadership of Citizens Advice Surrey Heath.
● Represents Citizens Advice Surrey Heath to funders, partners and stakeholders.
● Ensures the delivery of a high quality, impartial and confidential service, utilising both paid staff and volunteers.
● Is responsible for the continuing funding, planning and financial management of the service.
● Represents the organisation in Surrey Heath and contributes to the overall provision of strategic advice services in the borough.
In particular, the priorities for the Chief Officer in 2026 will be to
● Manage CA-SH’s external relationships, with our funders and the Surrey Heath community generally, to ensure satisfaction with the delivery of current projects.
● Build on the current income base, in terms of increased existing project budgets, new projects, and diversifying the income base.
● Explore opportunities to potentially integrate with other local Citizens Advice in Surrey to ensure long-term sustainability and strengthen our impact, in line with the new Unitary Authority structure.
The role requires working closely with the Operations Manager, who will be responsible for staff, volunteers, and, generally, the internal CA-SH operation.
Person specification
Essential
1. Understanding of the voluntary sector and, in particular, knowledge of the strategic and policy environment in which the advice sector, and particularly Citizens Advice operates.
2. Proven ability to devise and implement strategic development and resource plans, particularly in the area of service development, staff development and the management of change.
3. Demonstrable track record of successful income generation and diversification, through promoting services, fundraising, and other activities.
4. Proven track record of devising funded projects, setting them up for delivery and delivering them against agreed targets.
5. Proven ability to lead, motivate and contribute to a team.
6. Demonstrable track record of financial management and budgetary control.
7. Effective communication and presentation skills in person and in writing, to include researching and interpreting complex information and producing clear verbal and written reports, both internally and externally.
8. Proven ability to earn and maintain the trust of stakeholders.
9. Track record in project management.
Desirable
1. Understanding of, and commitment to, Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies.
2. Broad understanding of the operation of local and national government, and the administration of public and legal services, including an understanding of commissioning.
3. Demonstrable ability in people management, particularly in the voluntary sector.
4. Ability to create a positive working environment in which equity and diversity are well managed, and staff are empowered and motivated to do their best.
5. Ability to communicate and work well with a governing body.
6. Track record of managing ICT in a working environment, including ICT business planning, managing information and supplier relations.
Staff Benefits
● 6% Employer Pension Contribution
● A company that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, creativity, and flexibility
● Flexible, hybrid working
● Free parking
● Ongoing personal training and development
● The chance to work with amazing people and a nationally recognised charity.
Talking Money is looking for a compassionate, creative problem solver to join our team of dedicated specialist debt and welfare benefits advisers.
You will help people on low incomes build financial security by providing clear, compassionate and high-quality welfare benefits and debt advice and casework. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to strengthen people’s confidence, understanding and capability and to identifying barriers within local systems (for example, within the local authority) and contributing to efforts to reduce these.
Your work will be rooted in a person-centred approach—flexible, respectful and tailored to each individual. Everything you do will help us deliver our organisational purpose:
“Help me with my money worries, in a way that suits me, so that I can get on with my life.”
About Talking Money
Talking Money is an independent charity providing free, expert money advice across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Demand for our services continues to rise.
Our approach is:
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Integrated: addressing debt, benefits, energy/fuel poverty, income and wellbeing together.
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Person-centred: psychologically informed, strengths-based and empowering.
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Practical and impactful: securing income gains, writing off unmanageable debts, preventing eviction, reducing stress and anxiety and improving knowledge and confidence.
We are looking for someone with:
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Strong experience delivering welfare benefits advice and casework to people facing financial hardship.
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Passion for improving the lives of the people who we work with.
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A willingness to learn debt advice to a generalist level.
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Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues and clients.
Hours: 30 – 37.5 hours a week (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)
Contract term: Permanent
Location: Hybrid working negotiable but majority of time in office is required to deliver advice as part of a supporting, collaborative team.
Salary: Grade 5 SCP 19-25 (approx. £32,000 - £35,000 FTE for FY26-27)
Reporting to: Leadership Team
Holiday entitlement: 25 days FTE pro rata (rising to 30 days after 5 years) + bank holidays.
Before You Apply
Don’t meet every single requirement?
Studies have shown that women and people of from minoritised ethnic communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
At Talking Money, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles and lived experience goes a long way. Still not sure? Talk to someone at Talking Money about the role to see if it sounds like something you would be great at doing: telephone Nick Leaman on 07496 441 494 or email (see application method for address)
Access
Do get in touch if you would like any of this information in another format, or if you would like to apply in another format.
If you are shortlisted, Talking Money will work with candidates to ensure their access needs are met during the interview process and will ensure access requirements are not a factor in decision making.
Application Process
To apply please email your CV and cover letter (max of 2 sides of A4) to our recruitment address (see application method for details)
If you have queries about the role, please contactNick Leaman by email or telephone 07496 441 494.
Application Timeline
Applications close: 17.30pm on Sunday 12th April
Shortlisting: Monday 13th April
Interviews:Tuesday 21st April
To empower and enable people to tackle financial challenges through advice, financial education and support
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a forward‑thinking leader with a track record in changing organisations that have a good and loyal team in place with a commitment to our mission and values, and the imagination to explore new ways of meeting local needs. A track record of fundraising in the charity sector is needed. Whether you come with a background from the advice sector, the wider charity world, or another relevant field, if you have the vision and drive to steer CAEW into the future, we would love to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.