Advice Information Jobs

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and self-motivated Chief Executive Officer with an outstanding track record who is ready for an exciting new challenge. Citizens Advice North Somerset (CANS) is an established and well regarded local independent charity providing free, impartial and confidential advice and social prescribing services. We are involved in research and campaign work to influence policy makers and effect local and national change

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Inspires a wide range of stakeholders through a clear vision and strategy. 
• Is person-centred with good communication skills and empathy with all clients, colleagues, partners and our community.
• Shows resilience in a fast-changing environment, demonstrating agile thinking and planning skills.
• Creates and maintains a positive working environment and seeks to develop others in their role beyond their own expectations.

What we offer:

• A great team of staff and volunteers who share the joys of providing high quality advice and social prescribing services to North Somerset residents.
• Our own building/office space and outreach services across North Somerset.
• Personalised induction and training for everyone in a new or promoted role.
• Access to free well-being support and counselling through Togetherall and Lifeworks
• Annual leave: 210 hours per annum plus bank holidays

If you share our values, are organised, sociable and thrive on busy schedules where no two days are the same, this role could be for you.

CANS is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our clients and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, social media checks, satisfactory references and must meet the HMRC requirements to be considered a ‘Fit & Proper person’.

Full details of the application process can be found on the ‘Work with Us’ page on our website via the Apply button

Closing date: Monday, 17 June 2024 at midday

Selection process to take place on: Thursday, 27th June 2024

Background to the role 

Age UK East London are recruiting an Information Officer to join our growing information and advice team.  We support thousands of people a year to maximise their income, challenge bad decisions, and ensure that they understand their rights and entitlements.

We support some of the most deprived communities in the UK, tackling poverty and health inequality while promoting independence and well-being.  Working in well networked and integrated systems you will make a key contribution to improving the lives of adults, their carers and the wider community.  

Job description 

Job Purpose 

• To deliver a high-quality 'front door’ service for older people and their carers. 

• To provide support to the organisation with appropriate and proportionate triage.

• To help clients with their enquiries by providing accurate information and signposting.

• To support to the smooth running of the Age UK East London Helpline. 

Key Tasks 

• To provide an open access front door for AUKEL services during office hours.

• To provide information and advice to older people and their carers on matters of social welfare, housing, health and social care etc.

• To triage and allocate referrals and/or bookings for the service teams ensuring that referrals for case work are appropriate and within the scope of our service.

• To provide information, advice and support to older people and their carers enabling them to access services and remain independent.

• To carry out welfare benefit calculations. 

• To maintain accurate case records to Advice Quality Standard and in line with relevant legislation.

• To support all Age UK East London Advice Services to manage demand.

• To maintain a welcoming reception area and ensure all resources and information are up to date.

• External representation at meetings with key stakeholders. 

 General 

• To meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal. 

• To attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required. 

• To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London. 

• To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.

• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK’s East London’s policies and procedures including EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. 

 Functional Links  

• The role reports to the Advice Team Leader. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

Experience 

• Minimum of 18 months experience working in an advice service.

• Demonstrable experience in Social Welfare Policy and practice inc. Social Welfare, Housing, Care Act etc. 

• Holds NVQ Level 3 Advice & Guidance, or equivalent qualification and experience. 

Desirable  

• Experience of working on busy helpline

Knowledge & Understanding 

• Understanding of Data Protection and Privacy in policy and practice. 

• Knowledge and understanding of local health, social care and voluntary community sector services. 

• Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner. 

• Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers. 

Skills/Attributes 

• Intermediate IT skills

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered. 

• Commitment to learning and development and reflective practise. 

Additional Requirements  

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) 

• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs. 

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.

Advice & Information Worker (Havering)

WORKING HOURS: 21 hours per week

SALARY: £24,868 pro rata; (£14,920 for 21 hours actual)

CLOSING DATE: Monday 10th June by 12pm

PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 17th June

Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering offers an Advice & Information service to support older people living in the boroughs of Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge which is free, independent and confidential to older people, their relatives, carers and friends. We offer support with benefits maximisation to make sure people receive everything they are entitled to, housing issues, social care needs, health and disabilities, advice on energy efficiency and fuel poverty, to assistance with form filling and leisure.

We are recruiting an Advice Worker to cover the London Borough of Havering. This role requires the worker to work independently and manage their own caseload but be part of the wider team and be aware of the other services provided by Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering. The post involves both office based, home visit and outreach work at a variety of locations across Havering. Good IT skills are required and familiarity with Charity Log would be useful as well as knowledge of relevant quality assurance systems.

To apply: Please check our website for further details and a full application pack

Completed application forms and Equal Opportunities Forms should be returned to admin using the email: admin or alternatively post to Gabby O’Neill Recruitment, Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, 4th Floor, 103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4PU.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Debt Advice Team Leader to join the Citizens Advice New Forest team. This role will provide line management to two debt teams from Citizens Advice New Forest and one debt team from Citizens Advice Southampton and will be responsible for ensuring that the projects are meeting their objectives and outcomes. We are
looking for an individual that can oversee all aspects of debt project delivery including technical supervision and adherence to quality standards, monitoring of project delivery and outcomes, and all aspects of leadership of the teams including motivation and development of the team members.

We are looking for candidates who are:

• From an advice background, with appropriate debt-advice accreditation or the ability to become accredited quickly.
• A great communicator, motivator and team player; someone who can interact at all levels of Citizens Advice.
• Someone with an eye for detail, who is able to take a leadership role and is comfortable with responsibility.
• Passionate about helping individuals needing support to move on with their life.

What’s in it for you:

• Working in a supportive environment, you will have the autonomy to run your own teams and take accountability for delivering the project outcomes.
• Ongoing learning and development to help your progress with your career.
• A sense of satisfaction, being part of a team that is giving back to your local community by helping individuals find a path out of their current circumstances.

As a successful candidate you will be able to work a hybrid model of work, although attendance at a Citizens Advice office is expected for a minimum of 1-2 days per week.

This role can be either full time or part time, however a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week is required.

If you think this role is one that you would be passionate about, we would love to hear from you.

Please refer to the full Job Pack on the Citizens Advice New Forest website, which contains a detailed role profile and person specification.

Candidates are required to submit a CV along with a cover letter that details how their skills and experiences meet the person specification.

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis,  but the closing date is 16th June 2024

Job Purpose

As a Debt Advisor, you will play a crucial role in delivering tailored debt advice and money coaching sessions to NHS staff. Your responsibilities will include conducting financial capability workshops, supporting clients in managing their finances effectively, and maintaining detailed case records.

Scope of Role

The Debt Advisor (NHS Advice) will empower NHS staff to achieve financial stability and resilience by providing high-quality, comprehensive debt advice. Your key responsibilities will include:

1. One-on-One Debt Advice and Money Coaching Sessions:

   • Deliver personalized debt advice and money coaching sessions through various channels, including face-to-face, video, and telephone interactions.
   • Utilize sensitive listening and questioning skills to allow clients to explain their financial challenges and empower them to set their own priorities.
   • Research and explore options and implications, enabling informed decision-making.
   • Maximize income opportunities for clients, including benefits, tax, and housing-related matters.
   • Provide in-depth, high-quality advice and ongoing casework, acting on behalf of clients when necessary.

2. Financial Capability Workshops:

   • Conduct financial capability workshops at NHS sites across London, promoting financial resilience and well-being among staff.

3. Detailed Case Records:

   • Maintain accurate and detailed case records, ensuring compliance with auditing and quality standards.
   • Timely documentation of all case-related activities.

4. Collaboration and Referrals:

   • Work collaboratively with NHS staff and other stakeholders to enhance financial resilience within the NHS community.
   • Refer complex cases to senior advisors or the Quality Assurance Team as needed.

5. Key Working Relationships:

   • NHS Staff: Directly interact with NHS staff to provide tailored financial advice and support.
   • Advice Manager: Regularly report progress, challenges, and outcomes, receiving guidance and support.
   • Debt Advice Team: Collaborate with team members to share best practices and resources.
   • Quality Assurance Team: Review cases, receive assessments, and implement recommended training for continued professional development (CPD).
   • Funders and Auditors: Ensure compliance with funder requirements and maintain auditing standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accurate, Effective, and Individually Tailored Advice:

   • Provide personalized debt and money coaching advice across channels.
   • Empower clients to make informed decisions.
   • Maximize income opportunities for clients.
   • Deliver financial capability workshops.

2. Detailed Case Records:

   • Maintain accurate case records.
   • Ensure compliance with auditing and quality standards.

3. Up-to-Date Training:

   • Complete a minimum of 16 hours of technical CPD accredited training or qualifying activity.
   • Maintain a record of all training sessions.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration:

   • Work to an agreed work-plan, meeting targets and milestones.
   • Be an active team member, identifying development opportunities.
   • Demonstrate financial efficiency and value for money.
   • Comply with Toynbee Hall policies and procedures, including health and safety.

5. Other:

   • Travel across London and occasionally the UK as required.
   • Undertake additional tasks delegated by DFA Management.

Please note that we would be willing to explore a higher salary with the successful candidate if they meet all essential and desirable criteria.

Team background

The Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall provides essential support to individuals and families struggling with financial burdens. Funded by a diverse range of sources including the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), NHS, and other partners, we deliver expert guidance and practical solutions to help clients manage and reduce their debt. Our team operates through a network of face-to-face locations including advice centres and NHS sites, ensuring accessibility for all.

In addition to in-person advice, we leverage technology to reach clients who may not be able to access traditional services. We provide video advice to people in prison, those receiving employment support in job centres, and other remote clients. Our advisors are trained to navigate complex financial situations, offering tailored advice that empowers clients to regain control of their finances. Our work is vital in fostering financial resilience within the community, ensuring that individuals have the tools they need to achieve long-term financial stability.

By integrating direct support with strategic partnerships, the Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall not only addresses immediate financial challenges but also contributes to the broader goal of systemic change, enhancing economic security and community resilience across diverse demographics.

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.

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a real difference, every day, to people from all walks of life? This is an exciting opportunity for someone already working in an advice role and looking to take the next step in their career to join the Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) as Advice Manager.

The Advice Manager will take the lead on BIAS’s day-to-day advice services, managing a small team of advice specialists to ensure that we provide the highest-quality service to our clients. You will need to have strong people skills and the ability to build good working relationships with staff and clients, along with excellent organisational abilities to ensure that projects are delivered on time.

This role will also involve working with the leadership team to help identify areas for future development and support grant applications and reporting, which will give you the opportunity to have a direct impact on shaping the organisation’s future strategy and direction.

If you are an experienced advice specialist and are looking to step up but 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.

KEY WORK AREAS AND MAIN DUTIES

Staff management

• Managing a small advice team, ensuring the quality of the advice provided.
• Providing support and supervision to staff on the delivery of advice services, ensuring that appropriate advice is provided and casework deadlines are met.
• Ensuring good teamwork and lines of communication between staff, volunteers and partner agencies.
• Creating a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are promoted and staff can do their best.

Quality and service delivery

• Leading the welfare advice services, including contributing to possible future expansion.
• Maintaining a small personal caseload (approximately one day’s work per week).
• Working with the Operations Manager to ensure that BIAS maintains the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and is successful in AQS renewal.
• Leading on monitoring service delivery, recording outcomes and ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Managing all aspects of risk relating to advice delivery, complaints handling, safeguarding and GDPR.

Operational support

• Working with the leadership team as required on operational matters, including planning, strategy for future development and grant applications and reporting.

For more information about the role and who we are looking for, please see the attached job pack.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. This role will be based in our advice offices but there may be some options for flexible working (i.e. one or two days per week).

WHAT DOES BIAS DO?

BIAS is a local charity which has supported England’s largest Irish community in Brent for over forty-five years. We deliver our support through our welfare advice drop-in service, our Active Ageing Clubs and our Be-a-friend volunteer scheme. We raise over £1 million in extra income for the most vulnerable every year and have over 3000 attendances at our club services. BIAS has exciting plans for possible further expansion in 2024 and has a range of medium- to long-term grant funding, including from Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme.

Age UK's National Advice Line is recruiting for Information & Advice Advisors.

Our team provide a vital service available to older people and anyone seeking advice to support an older person in need. Our team of trained Advisors are dedicated to providing accurate, impartial and comprehensive information and advice to help support those in later life.

In height of a UK housing and energy crisis, many older people in the UK are in desperate need of advice and support. Due to the growing demand of this fantastic service, we are recruiting for some Information and Advice Advisors to join this friendly and supportive team.

If you are looking for an exciting and fulfilling career with a large National Charity that challenges injustice and makes a real difference to older people across the country, then we would love to hear from you!

The successful post holder will have excellent communications skills with the ability to provide accurate, often complex information in a clear and empathic way, offering advice over the phone and by email.
In this role you will receive several weeks of extensive specialist training based on the current legislation relevant to older people's rights and welfare, enabling you to offer an in-depth advice service to phone and email enquirers from across England. You will help them to understand and implement their legislative rights in areas such as community care, housing, income and benefits and many other issues related to later life.

This role offers hybrid working between home and either our Blackpool office, surrounded by excellent amenities or our Ashburton office, situated on the edge of the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. Our team work from the office at least 1 day a week, but that can be more if you prefer.

Must haves:

* Excellent active listening
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Proficient in the use of IT e.g., Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
* Previous experience of using multiple IT systems including CRM and other applications at the same time
* Ability to handle and present clearly and concisely large amounts of subject knowledge, often of a complex nature, both orally and in writing
* Accurate and attentive to detail
* Calm, empathic, compassionate
* Committed to providing a high quality service
* Committed to a team working approach.

Great to haves:
* Experience of providing information and advice on the telephone or face to face
* Experience of working with older peoples' issues
* Experience of working with social care/benefits
* An academic qualification at degree level.

What we offer in return

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.

Additional Information

All CVs will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role at Age UK. Please note that our system is unable to anonymise cover letters, and we would therefore ask that to support the work we are doing on making our recruitment selection process fairer and more unbiased, that you remove any personal information from your cover letter/supporting statement, including your name before uploading this. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us once you are invited for an interview.

Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria under the Disability Confident Scheme. Please note that on occasion, due to high numbers of applications, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.

Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Hours of work: 36.5 per week

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm with 30-minute unpaid lunch break, Friday, 9am to 4pm with 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Location: Welwyn Hatfield (with some working from home)

Type of contract:Permanent

Purpose of role:

Citizens Advice Welwyn Hatfield has a vacancy for a highly motivated Advice Service Manager to lead our advice team. You will be responsible for the supervision, quality and monitoring performance of the advice team, who deliver multi-channel advice (face to face, phone and digitally) to Welwyn Hatfield residents on a wide range of advice issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, and discrimination. You may also be required to deliver advice and session supervision when necessary.

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, and debt

If you have a passion for helping people and want to join us in our fight against poverty, then we’d love to hear from you! We offer comprehensive training so if you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you’ll enquire to learn more.

What we can offer our staff:

• 25 days’ annual leave FTE plus bank holidays.
• 5% contribution to Employer’s Pension Scheme.
• Death in Service cover on joining the Employer’s Pension Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme with Telus Health (formerly Lifeworks). (Everyone working at Citizens Advice has immediate access to professional and completely confidential counselling and legal advisory services.)
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Town centre location with great transport links.
• An opportunity to work within a team that is friendly, supportive, forward thinking and passionate about helping our community.

Closing date: Friday 7th  June 2024

For more information please download the Job pack attached.

We will be interviewing suitable candidates on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advertisement early.

Owing to limited resources, we won’t be able to contact candidates who aren’t shortlisted for interview. If you don’t hear from us, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We are recruiting a part time Advice Worker – Asylum Support, £37,616 pro rata, hybrid working,

We are seeking an experienced Asylum Support Advice Worker to help deliver our new maternity health justice partnership targeting refugee and asylum seeking women in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.

About Maternity Action

Established in 2008, Maternity Action protects and strengthens the rights of pregnant women and new parents to employment, social security and healthcare, irrespective of migration status.

We employ specialist employment and asylum/immigration lawyers who represent women who experience maternity discrimination at work, difficulties in accessing maternity pay and benefits or are wrongly charged for their NHS maternity care. We provide second tier advice to NGOs on housing and subsistence for refugee, asylum seeking and migrant women. We support strategic litigation within our areas of expertise. Our policy and campaigning work is driven by the injustice we see from our advice services. We prioritise issues affecting low income and marginalised women, including migrant and asylum seeking women.

Maternity Action has grown over the past four years and we are now a team of 26. We are passionate about our work, but we are committed to our staff having a genuine work life balance. The majority of our employees have some form of caring responsibilities and Maternity Action is a genuinely flexible employer. 22 of our 26 staff work part time and staff are located across the UK. We have recently expanded our operations and have developed two Health Justice Partnerships with NHS Trusts.  We are funded by a variety of large charitable funders, smaller grant making organisations and unions.

About the role

We have secured funding for a 12 month pilot maternity health justice partnership targeting refugee and asylum seeking women in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.  This is the first UK maternity health justice partnership targeting this group of women.  We have an existing maternity health justice partnership in Greater Manchester and East Cheshire which advises on employment rights, maternity pay and mainstream benefits.

You will deliver advice to pregnant women and new mothers on Home Office support and healthcare entitlements and provide ongoing advice and support where needed.  You will also refer to other support services as needed, including food banks, baby banks and community groups.  You will deliver outreach and engagement sessions to maternity services and voluntary organisations, working with our Outreach and Engagement Officer.  You will also contribute to the development, monitoring and evaluation of the pilot. The role will keep up to date with asylum support and related developments.

This role forms part of our Immigration and Asylum Advice team, which is led by our Senior Legal Officer.  The team consists of a Legal Officer, Senior Project Officer and Casework Support Officer.  The role will coordinate with the advice and outreach workers delivering our employment and benefits maternity health justice partnership in the region.

About you

We are looking for an experienced adviser with a thorough knowledge of asylum support and experience of liaising with the Home Office and Migrant Help.  You will have experience of delivering complex advice, preferably by telephone, of advocating on behalf of vulnerable client groups and working with interpreters.  You will have an excellent phone manner and the ability to deal with discussions of sensitive health issues.

We particularly welcome applications from Black and minoritised ethnic candidates and from people with lived experience of pregnancy or parenting, low income or migration.  We welcome applications from people returning from a career break.

Working arrangements

The post is 21 hours per week.  There is a core day (Thursday) and we are otherwise flexible about start/finish time and days worked, within normal business hours. 

The post can be delivered through a mix of home and office based working and will involve outreach sessions.  Office location is likely to be in Hulme, Manchester.  You must be based in the North West.

Salary is £37,616 pro rata plus 8% pension.

This is a 12 month post with the possibility of extension

How to apply

Please send us your CV and an application of no more than two sides of A4 outlining how you meet the selection criteria.

The closing date for applications is 5 June 2024.  Interviews will be held remotely on 13 June 2024.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent customer service and communication skills to join St Pauls Advice Centre as a Reception Administrator.

St Pauls Advice Centre aims to reduce poverty by delivering advice and advocacy services covering a range of social welfare law issues. Need has grown as the recession has increased poverty and reduced support services, and our work is now, more than ever, vital for ensuring access to justice for all.

The role involves working on reception greeting St Pauls Advice Centre clients and other visitors, helping to identify issues and dealing with requests for information. You will be responsible for answering incoming telephone calls, distributing post and messages and liaising with other team members as needed. The role also involves supporting other members of the staff with administrative tasks.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills and enjoy working in a diverse and challenging environment. You will also have the desire to help and support people and a willingness to get involved with the services SPAC provides.

We are looking for someone who has: excellent communication, organisational and analytical skills; is a strong team worker; speaks a community language and can demonstrate respect for diversity.

(Speaking a community language for the post of Reception Administrator is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) as per schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010).

We are proud of our accreditation as a Living Wage employer and we offer flexible working and a generous benefits package: 

• Salary: £20,095.20 actual (£25,119 full time equivalent)
• Working hours: 28 hours per week
• Permanent contract
• Annual Leave: 30 days per year plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Extra 3 days annual leave between Christmas & New Year (pro rata)
• Pension Scheme: 5% employer’s contribution
• Flexible working hours

Closing Date: Monday 24th June 2024 (5 pm)

Interview Date: Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Full job description, person specification and details of how to apply are available on the SPAC website.

No CV’s or agencies please.

Location: Remote or at Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (RBS), Stephenson Way, Wavertree Technology Park

About the Role

Advice Giving

• Deliver advice and information to clients, ensuring advice provided meets the requirements of Citizens Advice quality standards
• Ensure all case recording and other record keeping is completed within agreed timescales and conforms to the Office Manual and the Advice Quality Standards
• Use sensitive listening and questioning skills in order to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and to identify the next course of action.
• Use a range of information sources to find relevant information then interpret and communicate this to clients.
• Refer internally or to other specialist agencies as appropriate.
• Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiation, drafting or writing letters/emails and telephoning.

Administration

• Use of IT software for statistical recording of information relating to research and campaigns and funding requirements, record keeping and document production. Ensure Data Protection compliant training is completed on an annual basis.
• Ensure that all work conforms to the service's systems and procedures.
• Undertake admin duties as required or requested.
• Complete a register of client outcomes, monitored by the lead Citizens Advice office of the project, and provide case studies (with client consent) demonstrating outcomes of the advice interventions to the funder.

Professional development

• Keep up to date with online systems, available training materials and other resources relevant to the areas of support.
• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate
• Identify and implement own learning and development needs

Other duties and responsibilities

• Promote the aims, policies, and membership requirements of the Citizens Advice service.
• Ensure all processes and procedures that relate to the responsibilities of the role are delivered with a high level of awareness of the organisation’s equality and diversity ethos and policies.
• Be a positive ambassador for CAL.
• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.
• Adhere to RBS security vetting and health and safety guidelines, particularly within their building.
• Attend RBS Team meetings to share knowledge and up skill Bank staff to inform them of themes, trends and emerging issues.
• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service

Requirements:

• Experience of delivering generalist advice within Citizens Advice or another quality assured environment such as AQS.
• Good IT knowledge with an ability to support delivery of advice
• Experience of using interpersonal skills, including sensitive listening and questioning skills to understand the needs of others, over the phone.
• Ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information and produce and present clear reports verbally and in writing.
• Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively and a willingness to challenge constructively.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to work both on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Understanding of the issues affecting society and their implications for clients and service provision.
• Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.

About us

Citizens Advice Liverpool (CAL) are being funded by Nat West Group to provide general advice by telephone for customers seeking this help. This general advice is confidential and independent of the Nat West (Banking) Group.

The post holder would be based at their RBS office for 4 days between the hours of 9am -5pm, providing telephone advice, and there would be 1 day based at a CAL office for writing up notes and any follow up work.

Where it is not possible for the SSO to work at the RBS office, the SSO would work at home or a CAL office, again providing telephone advice for these customers.

Role purpose

Compass is a service designed to support adults (18 years and over) in H&F and Hounslow. The service provides support with welfare benefits, debt, housing and well-being/peer support groups/workshops.

The role of the Information and Advice Worker will be to provide advice, guidance and customer representation to H&F and Hounslow residents living with mental health problems. Advice issues may include, housing, benefits, council tax, debt, signposting etc.

The successful candidate will deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals as agreed with the project manager. In addition to advice casework, the Advice Worker will also be expected to assist onboarding referrals to the service when needed.

The successful candidate will be required to work alongside other caseworkers and volunteers supporting on the project and report to the project manager.

The Advice Worker will be required to work within the Advice Quality Standard framework (AQS), and adhere to 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.  

Place of work

The Advice Worker will be required to work both from home and the Ealing, H&F and Hounslow office when necessary, alongside work in the community.

Key Responsibilities
See attached job description for full list of responsibilities

• Deliver support to enquirers and manage a caseload of individuals as agreed with the project 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
• Provide general money and debt management advice
• Provide information on employment opportunities and training support for clients.
• Signpost to other relevant services in the boroughs, or further afield.

Person Specification

Knowledge and 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 mental health services
• 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 and Abilities

See attached job description for full list of skills & abilities

• 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

JOB PURPOSE

The Flourishing Community Services team deliver a wide range of services and projects across North Birmingham that enhance the lives of residents, provide tailored support to help individuals unlock talents, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals & aspirations.

This role is crucial to ensure the successful development, implementation, and co-ordination of AIG projects and services which meet the needs of our residents, communities, and the Association. This is an exciting and varied role which will cut across all service areas, developing new projects, and supporting colleagues as needed.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Some Key tasks and responsibilities:-

· Manage and support staff and volunteers, in providing a range of AIG services, including Welfare Benefit Advice and Energy Advice and where appropriate referring to other specialist support, both external and internal, if required.

· Ensure services are delivered to a high quality, complying with regulatory requirements, and reflecting good practice, incorporating customer feedback, and maintaining the Service Area Quality Improvement Plans.

· Develop, maintain, and manage appropriate management information systems, paying due regard to confidentiality - including creating and updating records, monitoring progress, and producing reports in line with funding requirements and for internal use.