Programmes graduate trainee jobs

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.

Department background

The Debt Advice Team at Toynbee Hall provides crucial support to individuals and families struggling with financial burdens. Funded by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), this team delivers expert guidance and practical solutions to help clients manage and reduce their debt. 

Scope of Role

The Traineeship will last for 12 months. This role involves gaining practical experience by observing and participating in interviews to understand clients’ financial problems, researching options, and helping clients make informed decisions. The role includes structured classroom-based learning, supervised practice, and mandatory secondments across partner advice agencies in London.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accurate, Effective, and Individually Tailored Advice

Work under supervision to observe and learn how to provide effective debt advice, including interviewing clients, researching options, and empowering clients to make informed decisions. 

2. Detailed Case Records

Assist in maintaining detailed case records, ensuring all work meets auditing and quality standards, and meets funder requirements. 

3. Training and Development

Complete a structured training programme within the six-month period, covering technical debt advice, client management, and financial regulations. During the initial training period, trainees will be expected to attend intensive classroom-based training and supervised learning activities four to five days per week. Additional training will be based on shadowing, on-site learning, tests, external training courses, etc.

4. Teamwork

Be an active member of the team, identifying opportunities for your development and contributing to collective goals. 

5. Travel

Travel across London is required, including attendance at partner organisations, advice sites, and mandatory secondment placements across London boroughs.

Following the initial training period, the role will require a minimum of four days per week working from Toynbee Hall or partner office locations. One additional working day from home may be agreed where there is a suitable home-working environment and this aligns with operational requirements.

6. Other

Undertake additional tasks as delegated by Management.

Person Specification

1. Experience and Skills

• Willingness to work towards obtaining an accredited qualification in debt advice.
• Basic IT and telephone skills, and ability to use an online-based Client Management System (CMS) to deliver advice across multiple channels and maintain case records.
• Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively.
• Ability to work as part of a team and be open to receiving feedback and learning from others.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all staff members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competence in handling sensitive information with discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to handle and support vulnerable clients with empathy and sensitivity, ensuring their needs are appropriately addressed.

2. Personal Attributes

• High level of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to work independently and proactively without supervision.
• Capacity to remain calm and effective under pressure, adopting a “find a solution, no blame” attitude.
• Open-minded, inclusive, and collaborative approach, seeking fresh and alternative perspectives.
• Commitment to empowering others by sharing knowledge and enabling action.
• Strong alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategy, and values.
• Willingness to participate in training and develop further understanding in areas such as safeguarding.
• Willingness to work from our advice locations to shadow experienced advisors in both face-to-face and call centre settings.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience of giving advice (not necessarily debt advice).
• Ability to speak more than one language.

Our Benefits

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years: +1 additional day.
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
• Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
• Perk Box
• Life Insurance

As a Trainee Energy Advisor, you will help householders access the support available to them. You will work directly with clients, giving clear, practical advice to help them to make informed choices.

This is a varied role combining client support with accurate case management. You will keep clear records and contribute to a service that makes a real difference to households.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• Monitor the advice line and/or other telephone advice projects making and receiving calls from people who may need help with energy related issues.

• Accurately record client details and use your knowledge to assess help and support needed.

• Identify energy improvements that can be made to clients’ properties and refer to installers who can fit them.

• Listen attentively to callers and respond to their needs in an empathetic way during difficult conversations.

• Report any safeguarding or safety concerns promptly to the designated Safeguarding Officer, ensuring appropriate follow-up actions are taken and documented to maintain client safety and wellbeing.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

About you:

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent qualification)

• Previous experience of providing advice or within a similar customer service environment

• Proficient communication and problem-solving skills

• Strong sense of empathy and compassion

• Accomplished at using a range of Microsoft packages including Word and Excel

• Awareness of confidentiality and safeguarding processes

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.

Benefits:

CSE offer a range of other benefits including:

• You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Cash plan
• Retail discounts
• Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
• We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
• We are flexible with the working hours of this role and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website at CSE. Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description.

To be considered for this role an application form must be sent to our email address. Please see details on our website.

We will be running two rounds of interviews with the expectation that we will offer jobs to successful candidates after each round. We will consider you for all interview dates as indicated on your application form as long as your application has been submitted before the relevant closing date, as described below.

The closing date for applications is 17.00 on Tuesday 2 June 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June 2026 in person at our Bristol office

The closing date for the second round of applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 28 July 2026.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2026 at our offices in Bristol.

If you have not heard from CSE by 17:00 on Friday 31 July, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

About Spear North Kensington

Spear is partnering with HTB St Francis Community Church, to deliver the Spear Programme in North Kensington!

At HTB Social Transformation, their mission is to prioritise those who are marginalised within society, creating safe spaces where people are known, are loved and feel that they belong.

The Spear Programme is delivered in Spear North Kensington which offers young people professionally recognised coaching, for free, to support them into sustainable work or education. They leave Spear equipped to thrive in work and life. 

Key Information:

• Salary: from £27,000
• Full-time - Monday to Friday
• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: We interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and HTB St Francis Community Church.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people into employment or education.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.

About Spear

Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life. 

About the role

This is an exciting and varied, relationship-focused role within a successful corporate partnerships team. Working with the Head of Corporate and Employer Partnerships, you’ll help manage partner relationships, develop funding proposals, track income, and identify new business opportunities to support strategic growth.

You’ll also lead corporate volunteering initiatives, creating meaningful engagement opportunities with Spear trainees through workshops, mock interviews, and visits. From planning to follow-up, you’ll ensure a high-quality experience while supporting events and wider engagement. This role suits someone organised, proactive, and confident building relationships, who is motivated to make a tangible difference in a mission-driven, faith-based organisation.

Key information:

• Salary: £30,000
• Full-Time, One Year Fixed-Term Contract 
• Location: London Office 
• Closing date: Tuesday 2nd June (We interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish effective processes and structures, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and professional levels.
• Strong and effective project coordination skills, with the ability to bring together multiple stakeholders to deliver shared outcomes.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Fundraising experience is desirable but not essential.
• IT literate, with a good working knowledge of MS Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

ROOTED FINANCE

Rooted Finance is a pioneering specialist debt and financial inclusion Charity based in London. We’re committed to making money and debt advice accessible, for everyone.

The people we work with come from all walks of life and so do we.

We employ advisers from all backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we are the communities we serve. We provide quality debt and money advice services to help clients manage their finances and debts, protect their essential services; and safeguard their income and priority needs. Our services have never been more needed in an uncertain financial environment.

Rooted Finance is expanding its team and is looking for a full-time Money Guidance Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive team at a pivotal moment in our growth.

We are looking for someone who enjoys providing a first-class client satisfaction and support service. You will work closely with our Advice team to ensure clients are accessing support through engagement activities and that they are able to progress their debt advice journey smoothly.

You will be the interface for advisers to ensure documentation and tasks are completed in a timely manner or the clients you are supporting. The post-holder will need to be comfortable interacting with a variety of audiences – advisers, clients and partner organisations, and enjoy supporting people to progress through their advice journey.

You will have strong administrative, research and data skills, excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, and should be flexible and capable of working independently and as part of a team.

The post holder will be part of a small team and need to be a proven self-starter. The team language is English, and Rooted Finance is an Equal Opportunities employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job : Title Money Guidance Officer

Salary: £28,000

Hours: 35 Hours per week 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Day of leave on your birthday Additional day of leave for each year of service up to 35 days 3% Pension contribution stakeholder pension £200 home-office equipment allowance Costco membership. Employee Assistance Programme Hybrid and flexible working arrangements available and agreed according to business needs 

Contract: Permanent/Fixed Term (subject to funding) 

Location: Rooted Finance delivers primarily an in-person service, postholder will be required to attend outreach locations/RF office. Hybrid arrangement with remote working will be incorporated where possible based on business demands.

Purpose of the Job

Rooted Finance provides client focused and impact driven services. The ability to provide first class advisory and casework services that impact individuals, and the communities they live in, is fundamental to the way in which Rooted Finance provides transparent and evidence-based services.

RF is looking for a proven self-starter to support our advice services and preventative initiatives. You’ll be passionate about working with people and committed to delivering a high-quality community engagement and support program. You’ll be adept at delivering comprehensive support to individuals within diverse community settings.

You will be confident in working with community members to grow and develop projects to reach isolated individuals. Working flexibly across dates (including occasional weekend working), times and locations, responding to project and community needs as required.

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 ongoing support. You will be trained and expected to keep up to date with regards to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to debt and a working knowledge of welfare benefits as directed by Line Manager.

Training and development

Rooted Finance will provide internal and external training as appropriate. Continued professional development is fundamental to the values of Rooted Finance in building capacity amongst its team members.

Reporting

The post holder will report directly to the Advice Manager of Rooted Finance

Role Requirements

This role aims to address the additional barriers and needs faced by overindebted individual, ensuring they are supported in navigating these challenges and can focus on the debt advice process effectively. As a Money Engagement Officer you will work across our various community partners, delivering money mentoring support and income maximisation services to local communities with the aim of promoting financial resilience and wellbeing. You will also provide assist in collecting essential documents and information for advisers to progress their cases. You will maintain accurate client and project records and contribute/support Manager(s) with effective project monitoring and reporting. You will capture learning to share with project stakeholders to help inform Rooted Finance’s wider approach to financial inclusion services.

Key functions and impact of the role will include;

Outreach and Engagement: Actively engage overindebted individual through various outreach initiatives such as community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organisations to raise awareness about debt advice to encourage individuals to seek help early and facilitate this through practical 121 support.

Support and guidance: Provide ongoing support needs to keep people with money worries engaged in the debt advice journey. Often people struggling with money worries have additional barriers and needs, this role focuses on the 'support function' which will be available to help people navigate barriers so they can focus on the specialist debt advice needed and offered through Rooted Finance and other support services.

Referral and Collaboration: foster a cohesive relationship to build partnerships and to collaborate with debt advice services, community organisations, and other stakeholders to facilitate referrals and ensure a seamless transition into debt advice services. Maintain strong partnerships with service providers to enhance accessibility and support for individuals in need.

Empowerment and Education: Equip our services users by providing ‘digestible’ financial education, coaching, and advocacy to help them make informed decisions, improve their financial literacy, and build long-term financial resilience. Data Collection and Reporting: maintain accurate records of all outcomes, advocacy and support provided to all individuals, diligently record outcomes to track the effectiveness of the triage process and measure the impact of the engagement efforts on increasing access to debt advice and other services.

Duties & Responsibilities: The main duties will include

1. Work closely with RF advice team in identifying client’ needs to work together to implement a holistic approach to supporting individuals.

2. Manage a joint caseload with debt advisers to ensure successful engagement in the debt advice journey, monitor progress and maintain diligent records across all systems

3. Working closely with advisers to support their more vulnerable clients

4. Delivering both 121 and group sessions to build individuals’ financial knowledge and resilience.

5. Increasing the visibility and awareness of the advice services through external events and roadshows

6. Develop and maintain good working relationships with clients to facilitate engagement in debt advice journey by explaining and outlining what debt advice offers, support to engage in attending debt advice appointment, follow up with obtaining required documents, make effective referrals for additional services and provide on-going support.

7. Draw up a personalised plan supporting clients to access and engage with the extensive range of support available in the community. Actively connect clients with a wide variety of services through signposting for additional help around health, wellbeing, housing, welfare, immigration, social support and financial advice. 

8. Identify aftercare support to help individuals increase their ability around ongoing financial capability and literacy skills and to reduce further and future financial exclusions

9. Working with, and recruiting clients to, our Lived Experience Steering Committee

10. Provide one to one/group sessions to encourage and increase engagement in the debt advice service

11. Develop marketing and creative initiatives to promote and engage with service users to increase uptake in debt advice service and increase full journey completion.

12. Ensure all project monitoring requirements are adhered to and all learning (including risks and opportunities) is captured and recorded in a timely manner.

13. Perform consistent impact measurements on project components, including undertaking financial wellbeing checks before, during and after, beneficiary engagement with RF service in a non-intrusive manner

14. Actively participate in team meetings and work with colleagues and beneficiaries to further develop the project

15. Maintain effective communication between colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries at all times.

16. Undertake recommended and self-identified ongoing training and development to ensure gaps in knowledge/skills are acquired to meet requirement of the role and quality assurance processes in timely manner as directed by Supervisor/LM.

17. Work to an agreed work-plan, meeting targets on time and all required KPI

18. Work collaboratively to share good practice in performance and quality improvement with fellow advisers/wider team.

19. Ensure that all services comply with equal opportunities and other relevant policies and quality standards and good practice as outlined in organisational policies.

20. Ensure all work is fully compliant with Rooted Finance policies and procedures and Quality Standard

21. Ensure data protections regulations are adhered to and office procedures followed

22. Abide by all Health & Safety at Work Act procedures

23. Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding vulnerable adults at risk

24. Demonstrable understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR

25. Behave in a professional manner at all times

26. Act as an ambassador for Rooted Finance, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.

Other 1. Undertake additional tasks as defined by Advice Manager of RF and senior management team.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualification 

Desirable: Educated to a degree standard or equivalent. 

Essential: Relevant professional qualification (i.e.CMA Connect Money Mentor training)/ or equivalent gained through experience Evidence of continued professional development 

Skills

Desirable: Excellent understanding of the principles and current best practice in debt, financial capability and financial inclusion.

Essential: Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefit system and experience of advising customers on benefits.Understanding and commitments to the aims, principles, values and quality standards of Rooted Finance services. Awareness of, and ability to, understand and empathise with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and disadvantaged groups living in the community, in particular barriers faced by over-indebted and financially excluded communities. Ability to use sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of the issues and empower clients Ability to remain non-judgmental and apply active listening Ability to provide outstanding customer service Good communications skills – including written and personal presentation skills. Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively, and work as part of a team and be open to learning from others. Ability to manage own time and meet deadlines.High standard of numeracy and computer skills, specifically IT skills with a strong command of the Microsoft Office suite with an ability to understand and analyse complex financial and other numerical information Knowledge and experience of using case management systems to maintain accurate records Working in a small team and autonomously, experience of working in client facing role. A commitment to continuous professional development, including a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in advice topics

Experience 

Desirable: Experience of supporting and guiding junior team members (volunteer/trainee team members)

Essential: Experience of working directly in a community setting such as adult health and social care, learning support or information and advice settings Experience of gathering, providing and disseminating complex and sensitive information Experience of liaising with partner agencies; Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills; Commitment to working flexibly across all RF services, including evenings and weekends (TOIL applied)

OTHER:

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check Rooted Finance is 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. This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.