Advice Jobs

At Qube we are working in partnership to make a difference in Shropshire by providing volunteer brokerage and governance support to voluntary groups and organisations.

The role of the Volunteer and Infrastructure Officer is to support the Volunteer and Infrastructure Team Lead within the Voluntary and Community Support team providing high quality information, support and expertise in infrastructure support opportunities available to groups and organisations within Shropshire.

They will promote volunteering and encourage new volunteers to come forward for the benefit of Shropshire groups, organisations and communities. Provide governance advice, support, and guidance to local community/charitable groups and organisations, including support to staff/volunteer managers on volunteer recruitment and retention and develop working relationships with community led/based local groups to support future growth and sustainability.

They will also offer and make aware training opportunities and provision to support group and organisational compliance and safety.

This is currently a fixed term position until 31st March 2025 with extension possible dependent on further funding. 

Age UK are recruiting for a Fulfilment Administrator at their Warrington site, to support the Information and Advice line by being point of contact for sending out I&A guides to the public and liaising with other departments within the charity, to assist in campaigns.

As a Fulfilment Administrator, you will provide a high standard of pick and pack services to agreed procedures, and ensure that all data processing, paperwork and record keeping is carried out to the highest standard. Undertaking daily electronic data processing and mail merge procedures using MS applications, along with the completion of administrative tasks, including: filing, stationery tracking and ACIL audit entry.

This post holder will also be responsible for warehouse activities, building security, health and safety and fire safety.

Must haves:

* Good IT Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
* Ability to learn use of in-house systems (Navision).
* Experience of Pick & Pack or similar e.g. production line (Desirable)
* Knowledge of mail merge processes (Desirable).
* Ability to work fast while maintaining Accuracy.
* Confident & Professional Telephone Manner.

Great to haves:
* Working in a post room environment.

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.

Job Title: Employment Consultant (South East England)

Location: Home-based with significant travel across the South East

Salary: £31,270

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension

Would you like to be inspired every day in a highly rewarding role? Whether it’s the veterans we support, your colleagues or the other services that we collaborate with, you will be working with an exceptional group of people.

At the Poppy Factory, we help armed forces veterans with health conditions to find meaningful and sustainable employment after service. This often means overcoming significant barrier to employment. Our aim is to empower veterans, help them to recognise their unique skills and give them the confidence to move forwards in their career.

As an Employment Consultant, you will be assisting veterans across the South East back into work. Based at your home, but with extensive travel, you will help with application materials, overcome challenges, and connect with employers. You will also work alongside professionals in other services such as health or welfare to ensure that the veterans have access to all the support they need to overcome barriers to gain and retain employment.

What do we need from you?

• Empathetic and effective communicator. You will be comfortable building rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• A collaborative mindset. You will enjoy working as part of a team with colleagues based across the UK who support each other in what can sometimes be a challenging role. You will also work closely with many other organisations for the benefit of the veterans you will be supporting.
• Motivation and commitment. It takes hard work, tenacity and time to help people reach their employment goals. You will sometimes be helping people in challenging circumstances who need intensive support to move forwards.
• Adaptability. This is hugely varied role and no two days are the same. You will often need to balance competing priorities or quickly shift focus depending on the needs of the people you will be supporting.

Why should you apply?

• A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
• Variety in the role, a mix of travelling in your area, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
• The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
• Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history

For more insight into the role, read our colleague Kirsty’s account of a ‘day in the life’ of an Employment Consultant.

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

How to apply

To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Kirsty Gronow, Service Delivery Manager.

The closing date for this vacancy will be 27 May 2024. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

No agencies please.

Equality & Diversity

We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us.  We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.

As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.

Additionally, we offer a guaranteed interview to veterans of the UK armed forces or members of the Reservist forces who meet the essential role criteria. Please make it clear in your application if you wish to be considered on this basis. Please note, to be eligible for consideration under this scheme your application must demonstrate that you meet the essential role criteria as set out in the person specification.

We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. We encourage applicants to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.

Job Title: Employment Consultant (South Wales)

Location: Home-based with significant travel across South Wales

Salary: £31,270 FTE

Hours: 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE)

Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension

Would you like to be inspired every day in a highly rewarding role? Whether it’s the veterans we support, your colleagues or the other services that we collaborate with, you will be working with an exceptional group of people.

At the Poppy Factory, we help armed forces veterans with health conditions to find meaningful and sustainable employment after service. This often means overcoming significant barrier to employment. Our aim is to empower veterans, help them to recognise their unique skills and give them the confidence to move forwards in their career.

As an Employment Consultant, you will be assisting veterans across South Wales back into work. Based at your home, but with extensive travel, you will help with application materials, overcome challenges, and connect with employers. You will also work alongside professionals in other services such as health or welfare to ensure that the veterans have access to all the support they need to overcome barriers to gain and retain employment.

What do we need from you?

• Empathetic and effective communicator. You will be comfortable building rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• A collaborative mindset. You will enjoy working as part of a team with colleagues based across the UK who support each other in what can sometimes be a challenging role. You will also work closely with many other organisations for the benefit of the veterans you will be supporting.
• Motivation and commitment. It takes hard work, tenacity and time to help people reach their employment goals. You will sometimes be helping people in challenging circumstances who need intensive support to move forwards.
• Adaptability. This is hugely varied role and no two days are the same. You will often need to balance competing priorities or quickly shift focus depending on the needs of the people you will be supporting.

Why should you apply?

• A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
• Variety in the role, a mix of travelling in your area, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
• The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
• Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history

This is a part time post, and we are happy to discuss a variety of working patterns that best suit the successful applicant such as 3 full days a week or 4/5 shorter days. We encourage candidates to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

How to apply

To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Kirsty Gronow, Service Delivery Manager.

The closing date for this vacancy will be 27 May 2024. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

No agencies please.

Equality & Diversity

We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us.  We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.

As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.

Additionally, we offer a guaranteed interview to veterans of the UK armed forces or members of the Reservist forces who meet the essential role criteria. Please make it clear in your application if you wish to be considered on this basis. Please note, to be eligible for consideration under this scheme your application must demonstrate that you meet the essential role criteria as set out in the person specification.

We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working.

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).

Do you want to shape the future of our response to stalking and personal safety? 

Do you have resilience and flexibility to meet the demands this role brings, and enjoy working in a sharing and learning environment? 

If yes, then read on.

About the Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority. We were established in 1986 following the disappearance of 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh, an estate agent and lone worker who went to meet a client and never returned. The Trust exists so that what happened to Suzy does not happen to anyone else. For the past 37 years, we have worked towards reducing the risk of harassment, stalking, aggression, and violence. Our Stalking Helpline offers support and advice to thousands of victims of stalking every year, while our bespoke advocacy teams work closely with partners across the Violence Against Women and Girls’ (VAWG) sector, the criminal justice system, and both statutory and non-statutory services to ensure our clients can live a live free from abuse and fear.

You will be working alongside a team of advocates who are dedicated to supporting and empowering victims and survivors of stalking. By working with a caseload of 20- 25 clients, you will have the opportunity to provide holistic and bespoke advocacy to your clients, whilst leveraging your knowledge of gender-based abuse to support the Trust’s specialist mission.

Purpose of Role:

· To provide expert advice and advocacy to victims of stalking, both within the context of domestic abuse, and non-domestic abuse related stalking.

· To provide guidance and support by telephone, email and face-to-face to those affected by stalking.

· To provide casework support and advocacy to victims of stalking, liaising with both voluntary and statutory services to ensure positive outcomes for victims. 

· To support the operational Team Leaders where required.

What we offer in return

In return for our staff’s commitment and dedication, we offer a range of benefits:

• Hybrid working (minimum 40% in the office and agile working enabled to work from home)
• Flexitime Policy
• 28 days annual leave (which increases after 3 and 5 years to a maximum of 33 days pro rata) + public holiday
• Special leave for life events, such as 1 day off for moving house
• Pension scheme with 5% employer contribution
• Health & Wellbeing App with access to advice, counselling, support and a wide range of discounts
• Occupational Sick Pay (which increases after 3 years)
• Cycle to Work scheme (cycle racks on site)
• Interest-free travel loan for annual season ticket
• Regular all-staff off-site meetings and events

Work Location:  The post holder will be required to be office-based initially to support their induction and integration with the service.  Thereafter, a blended model (40 office/60 home), with office working in London and home working (must have adequate and confidential workspace when remote working). Candidates should ideally be located in London or immediate surrounding area (but locations outside of these areas may be considered).

We are recruiting for a number of these posts. The roles are also available on a part-time basis.

Please refer to the attached pack for the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

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. 

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.

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

Citizens Advice Kingston is an innovative, welcoming and friendly local Citizens Advice office, and we provide a high quality advice and information service to local people across a range of topics. 

We operate a hybrid model of working which is heavily reliant on digital elements. The post holder will work with the Chief Executive and other senior staff to lead the team in maintaining and developing effective models of administration. 

The ability to work remotely as required and also support and supervise others using remote systems is essential to this role. Remote working systems rely significantly on the use of IT over a range of applications so a positive and creative approach to digital services and systems is essential. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and you will be responsible for the smooth running of the administration of the organisation. 

We are looking for someone with strong administrative skills and excellent computer skills, who is an effective communicator with experience of building relationships at all levels. You must also have experience of managing a diverse workload, and have strong planning and organisational skills.

Closing Date: 5pm on 21st May         Interviews:  24th May

8.5% pension contribution after successful completion of probation period. Inflationary pay award pending
Hours: 35 hours per week. Normal working hours 9.30 to 5.30. Open to part-time, job-share, and flexible working

Location: Blended between home and office (Battersea and Roehampton)

About us

We’re a thriving advice organisation that is part of the national Citizens Advice network. We provide information, advice and casework support to around 10,000 people a year. Our services are delivered by a team of around 40 paid staff and 60 volunteers. We have a typical annual turnover of £2 million and in addition to our core advice service, funded by Wandsworth Council, we have a range of projects funded by trusts, foundations, and our local Integrated Care System.

While we’re proud of the number of residents we support, we know that we can’t meet demand for advice and that marginalised communities don’t always come to established organisations for support. Because of this, we place equal value on improving reach and access through creative collaboration with equity-led organisations, partnership development and capacity building.

Why we need you

Supported by existing project funding and a long-term grant from the Access to Justice Foundation, we’re looking for two people to join our Senior Management Team and help lead the next phase of our innovative and award-winning development work. The Head of Core Service and Head of Community Partnerships will work together to:

• Continue developing our approach to community engagement, helping reduce access barriers for people from the most marginalised communities.
• Embed changes to our core service that make it more accessible and responsive to those communities.

Both roles also have overall responsibility for a range of funded projects and services and, as leaders and managers, responsibility for:

• Ensuring we live up to our values, standards and ambitions.
• Managing contracts and relationships with funders, partners and other stakeholders.
• Developing organisational strategy and identifying new funding and partnership opportunities.

With a focus on operational compliance and core delivery, the Head of Core Service role would suit applicants with a strong track record of managing advice services, ideally within the Citizens Advice network. We’re not necessarily looking for someone with an advice background for the Head of Community Partnerships role, but great project management, people management and relationship building skills are essential. Both roles require an understanding of and commitment to our values and ambitions, including being a more inclusive workplace where everyone gets the support they need to do their best.

Why you should join us

We’re a dynamic organisation with a culture of quality and innovation. We’re ambitious about delivering advice services that make a real difference to local people and being a great place to work and volunteer. You’ll be part of a diverse and friendly team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about helping the people who need us most. Working with us means seeing yourself and your colleagues have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary people and protecting our communities from hardship, poverty and crisis.

We also believe that investing in and listening to our teams makes us a better organisation. We involve staff and volunteers extensively in the design and delivery of our services, as well as in long-term planning. You’ll benefit from working at an organisation with a strong commitment to professional development and continuous training – we’re proud of our teams and in return offer excellent opportunities for personal development and career growth.

Our commitment to EDI

We’re passionate about promoting equity, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people but particularly people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and people with disabilities, as these groups are currently under-represented in our team.

How to apply

CV and supporting statement accepted, find out more on our vacancy page by clicking the apply button.

Closing date: 10am on 15 May 2024
Interviews: Week beginning 20 May 2024, Battersea Library, SW11 1JB

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

• Provide comprehensive, full range of debt advice in line with Financial Conduct Authority and Debt Advice Quality Framework

• Commit to train for debt adviser (if trainee) and ongoing training/development (all roles) as requested by the charity

• Provide generalist advice in benefits, income maximisation and housing as required

• Complete Debt Relief Orders on behalf of clients (if accredited)

• Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor approach to advice accordingly

• Provide a clear plan of action and follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate

• Follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate

• Identify and escalate serious problems, including safeguarding, appropriately

• Ability to work to own initiative within a team environment. 

• Work closely with service colleagues and wider CAML team

• Support clients in CAML offices and outreach venues

Monitoring Quality and Case Recording

• Ensure all client engagement and support is comprehensively and accurately recorded

• Review your work, and monitor quality standards, as per the Citizens Advice quality framework

• Ensure data protections regulations are adhere and office procedures followed

• Work with your line manager, senior managers and charity colleagues to develop and improve services, and your own standards.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• With wider charity team and other organisations, ensure clients are supported with related advice issues

• Ensure all work is fully compliant with our policies and procedures and Citizens Advice Quality Standard

• Assist and contribute to the charity’s communications, research and campaigns work

• Maintain positive working relations with our stakeholders

• Professionally represent Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth

• Other duties as requested by your line manager, senior manager and Chief Executive

Professional Development

• 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

• Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent) – Essential

• Accredited debt adviser (either through relevant Citizens Advice debt training, Wiser Adviser training). – Essential for accredited role

• Willingness to undertake training and development to comply with Citizens Advice quality standards

• Experience of using client management databases (we use Casebook) - Desirable

• Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and manage caseload - Essential

• IT competency and experience - Essential

• Ability and willingness to work as a team - Essential

• 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.

These two new posts will be responsible for supporting the successful initiation, deployment and development of our early intervention and prevention service for autistic and neurodiverse young people and their families across the whole charity.

Key Accountabilities

To work with all the charity’s projects with a focus on providing support to Autistic and Neurodiverse children and young people so that:

a) the local community significantly benefits from a new specialised and responsive frontline service offering high quality advice and intervention

b) you enhance local resources that better wraparound the needs of the autistic community

c) you help build a sustainable model of delivery that directly addresses Autism

Why work for us?

We are a team of creative, committed colleagues dedicated to improving emotional health and challenging social injustice wherever & whenever we can and with whatever resources we have to hand.

Job Description 

• To provide a comprehensive money management service for people we support who are unable to manage their own financial affairs. 
• To be part of a professional team that provides a person centred approach which enables people we support to manage their money as they choose.  Ensuring at all times that financial risk is minimised through the operation of good financial management, procedures and systems. 
• To ensure Alternative Futures Group is compliant in its role of Corporate Appointee as stipulated by the Department for Works and Pensions. 

Dimensions 

• Deliver a financial service to people we support within a locality. 

Principle Accountabilities 

• Notify DWP and complete all paperwork for people supported. 
• Cover all legal requirements of appointeeship as stated by DWP. 
• Manage appointee sub bank accounts for people supported within a locality. 
• Receive and manage all social security benefits and other income for people supported within a locality. 
• Reconcile sub bank accounts for people supported within a locality. 
• Provide visible access to bank statements when required. 
• Up load money onto individual pre-payment cards. 
• Monitor balances on pre-payment cards within a locality. 
• BACS / Cheque payment runs. 
• Set up and monitor direct debits / standing orders on sub accounts within a locality. 
• Jointly agree personal budget plans for people supported with operational staff. 
• Jointly authorise additional expenditure request for people supported. 
• Scan and upload benefit letters and responses onto operation management information system. 
• Finance audits as and when required. 
• Ensure knowledge regarding benefits and legislation is kept up to date. 

Person Specification - Essential Requirements: 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• GCSE or A Level education, literacy and numeracy skills
• Motivated to provide high quality advice to people supported
  Good organisational skills
• Excellent command of the English language and the ability to produce quality written advice
• Highly articulate with the ability to communicate effectively with the people we support; colleagues at all levels and other professionals
• The ability to develop and maintain good  working relationships at all levels
• Analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to deal with a range of people and financial issues.
• At least one year of experience in dealing with welfare and benefits legislation

Knowledge, Abilities & Personal Attributes

• Up to date knowledge of all welfare benefits and legislation
• Knowledge of Windows based applications
• Knowledge of Advanced Excel
• Knowledge of computer based systems

This role is home based however a full driving license required as occasional travel will be required. 

This role is Band I as per our banding structure.