Advice, Information Jobs

The Mulberry Centre’s vision is to be known and respected by everyone living or working within reach of our services who may become affected by cancer.All the services at The Mulberry Centre are geared towards supporting the physical and emotional needs of someone following a cancer diagnosis or at end of life, including their carers, families and friends who also might have to stop working to look after them. It can be difficult to know where to start and what you are entitled to, but we are here to help them every step of the way. To assist us in this endeavour, we are looking for an experienced full-time Welfare and Benefits Information Lead.  You will assist clients in claiming welfare benefits, grants, and any financial aid that may be available to them. This includes informing them of any financial help available, supporting them with applications and following up on claim as necessary.  Where anyone has been given an end of life diagnosis you will be required to start the application on their behalf. In addition, you will also conduct financial wellbeing assessments in the community and schedule one-on-one application completion consultations with individuals who request your assistance.

This vital role will suit an enthusiastic and dynamic person who has excellent communication skills, being able to deal with complex matters effectively both verbally and in writing.  You will need to understand the issues involved in interviewing people within a time defined period. The ideal applicant will have emotional resilience to deal with people who have experienced cancer or bereavement. An empathetic and compassionate approach is important.  The Welfare Benefits Information Lead will be at the forefront of our client-based services and need to be self-motivated and have a positive and flexible attitude.

Please note that if we receive applications from candidates who meet the requirements we may interview prior to the closing date.

Would you like to make a real difference to people’s lives?

Shepway Citizens Advice is seeking a new Chief Officer to replace the current very successful incumbent who intends to move on later this year.

The Chief Officer’s role is demanding and extremely rewarding – ensuring the organisation evolves to meet current challenges and leading its efforts to secure resources and work with partners to provide an excellent advice service for our community in Folkestone and Hythe and the surrounding area.

The Chief Officer will ensure that Shepway Citizens Advice continues to deliver free, independent, impartial and confidential advice services that meet the needs of our local community.

The Chief Officer will be responsible for leading and managing a team of paid staff and volunteers. The successful candidate will have proven leadership and management experience. They will be well-versed in strategic development and planning, financial and operational management, income generation, external relationships, and people management.  

The Chief Officer will promote and represent Shepway Citizens Advice by working actively and constructively with external partners and local agencies. They will need to maintain and develop our existing relationships with funders and identify new sources of funding and resources.

Interview Date: Week beginning 24th June 2024

Closing date: 20th June 2024

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.

This is a demanding, yet hugely fulfilling new post in which the post holder will have overall responsibilty for the management and day to day operations of our new mobile support van. A large proportion of the post holder's time will be spent taking the van along with a team of volunteers on outreach to where there are survivors of sex trafficking. Our immediate priority area is Bedford. This will involve driving to sites of sexual exploitation and trafficking, such as the streets, properties used as brothels, airports and other places, as necessary. The post holder will lead outreach sessions supported by trained volunteers, in partnership with Bedfordshire Police and UK Border Force. The post holder will be a part of Azalea's frontline team (we call this Encompass) and will work with them to offer survivors of sex trafficking crisis intervention and ongoing support. The nature of this form of outreach will require the post holder to work flexible and unsociable hours (37.5 hours per week), however Azalea offers a generous annual leave allowance. Since this is a new role, the post holder will be required to use their initiative and draw on the knowledge and experience of the team to develop a full-time operational plan for the support van. 

Please read the job specification for full details of the role. 

The Access Foundation is focused on making a real difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to charities which make a valuable and measurable positive impact.  Our grant giving objectives fall into three categories: 

1. to mitigate the digital divide by making computing facilities, support and learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people

1. to advance the charitable causes of the registered charities which are chosen as the "Access Group Company Charities of the Year"

1. to advance the charitable causes of charities for whom there is a strong emotional connection with a member of staff (e.g. through support they or a close relative have received from the charity) 

The Foundation aims to achieve this via a fund from which it awards grants to other charitable organisations aligned with the principles above. You are a key member or the team that works towards our target to award grants to a total value of +/- £2 million each year.

The Access Foundation was set up in 2021 following the success and growth enjoyed by The Access Group over the previous decade. While affiliated with The Access Group in terms of its identity, The Access Foundation is a separate organisation, governed by an independent board of trustees and with its own objectives and goals. 

The Access Foundation wants to fund projects and activities that make a real difference to people’s lives in the countries the Access group is active.To achieve our objectives, we are looking to appoint an experienced Operations Manager to help run and improve our operational processes.

Job objectives 

• Support the trustees in the due diligence and evaluation of each applicant and facilitate the decision-making process for each application 

• Support the ongoing evaluation process of all successful applicants and ensure agreed measures and outcomes are reported back to the Foundation in a timely manner 

• Manage the external communication of the Foundation’s successes back to stakeholders and supporters, as well as other channels on social media, such as Instagram and LinkedIn 

• Manage the communication with the Access Group and maintain an open channel of communication with the charities team at the Access group 

• Manage the Admin and Grants Assistant and ensure all Admin processes as well as operational processes are running smoothly and make changes where required 

• Manage the use of the accounting package Access Financials to ensure processes are followed and grantees paid on time.

• Oversee the data collation for and write the impact report 

• Collaborate and work with the trustees and volunteers 

Duties and responsibilities will include 

• Write regular reports to the trustees of new applications, applications in progress and outcomes, inform and advise the trustees to achieve a swift decision on all cases 

• Organise the publicity and communications around each successful grant, including newsfeeds, social media and website updates. 

• Liase with the Access Marketing team to support their own comms 

• Ensure financial accounts are accurate and complete 

• Liase with 3rd parties such as external suppliers and partners ranging from auditors to our financial partners 

• Draft Offer letters for the successful applicants 

• Recruit, Manage and Appraise the Admin and Grant Assistant

• Attend trustees, volunteers and applications meetings 

• Manage the access controls for volunteers and staff 

• Oversee the financial accounts, approve invoices on our bespoke Finance system and deal with some financial accounting together with our Chair of the board of trustees 

Skills and Experience Required 

• Organised, efficient and reliable with the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneous 

• A minimum of 2 years' experience in a similar role 

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships at all levels from junior to CEO 

• Computer literate with good knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook. 

• The ability to be an ambassador for the Foundation to all external parties and stakeholders 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills 

• Ability to travel to London as required (minimum once every 6 weeks) 

• Sympathy for grassroot charities 

• Experience of the charity sector 

Salary: DP4 pay scale £24,700 - £26,870

Hours: 21 Hours - 35 hours per week for various posts.

Contract: Start date is June 1st 2024, and end date is May 31st 2027 with potential for an additional two year extension.

We are looking to recruit a self-motivated, enthusiastic, hard-working team to join our exciting new service that will support people living with Dementia (PLWD) and their carers. The service aims to provide a full wrap-around support that will assist the PLWD in navigating their individual journey and increase their overall wellbeing as much as possible.

Our organisational benefits include:

• Smart Health Benefit, including probate advice, bereavement counselling and confidential access to a 24 hour GP
• Employee Assistive Programme offering financial, legal and wellbeing advice 24/7
• Death in service benefit
• Free eyecare vouchers
• NEST pension Our annual leave entitlement is 31 days inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata)

Please note, we are actively processing applications which will result in the position being filled as soon as possible. The advert will be withdrawn as soon as suitable candidates are appointed. We therefore encourage applications to be completed at your earliest convenience.

Do you have good customer service skills? Come and join our Green Doctor team at Groundwork South

Want to help some of the most vulnerable people keep warm this winter and manage their energy bills? Come and join our Green Doctor team at Groundwork South.

Home Energy Advisor (Green Doctor)
Ref: GD0524
Location: Thames Valley, Surrey & Sussex
Contract: Fixed Term Contract – December 2024 (with possibility to extend further)
Salary: £25,500
Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Summary of role: Our Green Doctors deliver home visits and telephone consultations across Slough, Maidenhead & Windsor & the surrounding areas.  Consultations are a mix of advice, installation of small practical energy-saving measures such as low energy light bulbs and draft proofing and referring on to other health and wellbeing services. We aim to reduce our client’s energy bills and save them money in a variety of ways including providing a bill switching service.

You will be a practical, people-person with a passion for helping vulnerable people. You must have either knowledge or experience in energy efficiency to provide tailored energy saving advice, and the ability to adapt your approach to suit our client’s varying needs.

You must be comfortable with lone working and in managing your own workload. 

A qualification as Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), NVQ Level 3 (6049-03) Provide Energy Efficiency Services, or City and Guilds Energy Awareness (6281-01) is desirable, but relevant experience within the field or a willingness to take the qualification will be considered. (20 paid study hours).

A full clean driving license is required.

In return we offer you:

• A competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum plus public holidays
• Health Cash Plan and 24-hour online access to a GP
• PERKS scheme – such as discounted gym membership and shopping discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme - including mental health helpline and face to face counselling
• Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work and pension contributions
• Family friendly policies to support work/life balance with time off in lieu for out of hours activities
• Business travel expenses

Groundwork South

Groundwork South works with communities across the south of England to transform their lives and the places where they live. We have been at the forefront of social and environmental regeneration for over 25 years, and today we have a simple mission: to create better places, improve people’s prospects, and promote greener living and working.

We are passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny, and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances. This vision drives the work that we do. Each year we deliver over 100 innovative projects, tackling the biggest issues facing our communities and creating real and lasting, positive change.

Closing date for applications: 31st May 2024
Interview date: To be confirmed

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Appointment to this role is subject to an enhanced records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Groundwork South is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of the community.

No agencies please.

Location: Home or office (Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire) working available. This role is available fully remotely.

Hours of work: This role is offered between 15 and 36.25 hours per week. This will be discussed with candidates at the interview.

Contract: This is a temporary position. Because of the uncertainty of the availability of funding, the Company cannot at this stage confirm exactly how long this will be for and cannot guarantee you any minimum or maximum period of employment.

*Candidates should be able to start as soon as possible and no later than 29 May 2024

About the role

The Welfare Scheme Assessor will be a part of a small, but committed team with big ambitions that works cohesively and effectively together to get things done.

You’ll be an important and valued member of the team and, with the support of North Lincolnshire Citizens Advice, will be responsible for ensuring client focused outcomes are met in a pressurised environment.

You’ll be the first point of contact for residents applying for support from the welfare assistance scheme. You’ll offer applicants a holistic assessment designed to maximise household income, reduce expenditure and build greater financial wellbeing.

You’ll enable people to move as quickly as possible to problem resolution and to manage their essential needs so they are less likely to fall into debt and manage cost of living increases.

You’ll be responsible for making decisions on applications for financially based welfare support and will administer funds to households who would otherwise struggle to buy food or pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living costs.

You’ll enable people to take control of their financial wellbeing and signpost them to local statutory services and community groups that provide practical, social and emotional support. 

What we offer our staff

We provide an employee assistance scheme managed by LifeWorks. Benefits include:

• 24/7 - 365 telephone helpline
• LifeWorks online support website
• LifeWorks app
• 6 sessions of face to face counselling per issue – unlimited issues per annum
• Employee legal helpline
• Consulting services – financial, debt advice, housing, relocation, parenting, eldercare, work performance, health and wellness advice and much more
• Childcare and eldercare matching service
• Savings on everyday purchases and life events
• Access for family members and dependants – excluding counselling and legal advice

Annual leave: Annual leave is 25 days from 1st January to 31st December, plus 8 bank holidays. We offer additional long service leave of 5 days after 4 years of employment

How to apply:

The recruitment process and how to apply You should submit:

1. A CV no longer than two pages
2. Cover letter detailing how your skills and experience will help you in the role. 

Applicants will be assessed and interviews offered on a rolling basis. 

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.

Six Months Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Flexible work location within Greater Manchester

As Strategic Lead (Cancer & Inequalities) you’ll continue our work with GM Cancer to achieve a permanent reduction in inequalities and inequity within Greater Manchester, addressing the social, environmental, and economic determinants of health and wellbeing, with the aim of ensuring active VCSE participation.

This role will suit someone with a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of people, for tackling health inequalities, and who enjoys working in fastmoving and complex systems. To be successful you’ll need experience of supporting a strategic partnership; developing proposals and funding models; and influencing at a senior level. 

Application is by CV and supporting statement. 

Closing date for applications: 9:00am on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Planned interview date: Thursday 13 June 2024, in either Salford or central Manchester.

Who we’re looking for

You will be an excellent communicator, as well as a practical, well organised and hardworking individual, preferably with experience in the voluntary sector or equivalent transferable experience.

Reporting to the Regional Service Manager, you will support the Service Manager with managing the Cardiff Support Through Court service. You will provide support to volunteers and oversee the daily running of the service when on duty to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. 

Due to funding requirements, the successful applicant must be fluent in Welsh.

About Support Through Court

Support Through Court is an independent charity providing practical and emotional support to people facing the court process without the benefit of legal representation. Most people are unfamiliar with - and may be frightened of - the courts, and may be facing serious issues that could affect their children and relationships, finances, or the security of their homes. Our staff and volunteers empower people facing court alone, helping them to go through the court process with dignity and confidence. Together, we can ensure that no one faces court alone.

Hours of work: 36.5 per week

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm with 30-minute unpaid lunch break, Friday, 9am to 5pm 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're seeking an enthusiastic individual to provide a comprehensive administrative service to a busy front line advice centre.

1. To help provide an effective free advice and representation service for people largely living or working in East London or elsewhere within England and Wales.

2. To provide a comprehensive administrative service to a busy front line advice centre. This comprises responding to enquiries through both telephone, email and face-to-face, ensuring that each enquirer is assessed for suitability for our services, specifically with a view to Legal Aid funding, booking clients for legal advice appointments and signposting those we cannot assist directly.

3. You will be working closely with our Housing Team and provide some support to other legal area teams.

Walking With The Wounded supports those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families.  We specialise in developing pathways into employment with organisations who recognise and value the unique skills and qualities of our ex-service personnel. 

For this role, your caseload will be received from the NHS.

It is recognised that secure and appropriate employment is a key factor for improved mental health, therefore, you will form part of that individual’s wider support team in providing the specialist employment support element. You will be expected to work closely with referring partners, meeting regularly to feedback on the progress with individual service users. You will also need to work with local organisations; developing a bank of employers who are willing to explore supporting your clients, securing work placement opportunities, identifying any necessary training, sourcing competitive roles and, where this is successful, providing in-work support to both employer and employee to ensure a smooth transition.

In return, we will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your skills in a supportive, inclusive environment.  Training will be provided, and we encourage our staff to develop their own personal and professional skills.

If you are an employment advisor with an understanding of working with more complex clients, we would like to hear from you. We are also open to applications from those who are newer to IPS. You should fully appreciate the patience, resilience and self-motivation that are required to support a dispersed and diverse caseload of complex individuals. The successful candidate will have the ability to work independently, particularly in managing time and caseload, whilst recognising that they are one crucial element of a wider team of support who will need to work collaboratively to get the best outcome for clients. Experience of working with veterans would be beneficial although not essential, and knowledge and experience of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) method of working would be welcomed.

In this role no two days are the same and every day will bring new challenges whilst you empower ex-service personnel to regain their independence, thrive and contribute to our communities.

To assist with planning, interviews will be held in Halifax on 11th June 2024.