Jobs in Mid Berwickshire, Scottish Borders

Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB is an independent charity providing advice, information and support to people across our community. We are a friendly team of staff and volunteers working over 4 locations (Eyemouth, Duns, Kelso, and Hawick) delivering a busy advice service. We strive to deliver a good quality service that meets the needs of our clients in a non-judgemental and confidential manner. We aim for individuals not to suffer through not knowing or understanding their rights and responsibilities or not being aware of the services available to them. We provide advice and options to our clients so that they can make informed decision and feel empowered to improve their personal circumstance.

Job description:

To ensure the provision and development of quality advice, information and representation on statutory benefits and other social welfare matters in the Scottish Borders.

Key Responsibilities

• Interview clients over the phone, and face-to-face to gather relevant information about their circumstances and identify the areas they require assistance with.

• Research advice areas to identify possible options for the client.

• Improving access to benefit entitlements and maximising income.

• Provide representation for clients at social security first tier tribunals.

• Provide support and guidance on complex cases to CAB staff and volunteers.

• Run outreach sessions across Roxburgh and Berwickshire to enable our clients to access advice within their local community.

• Identify social policy issues to feedback to the wider network to help benefit both local and national social policy campaigns.

• Negotiate with third parties on the client’s behalf to resolve issues they are facing, for example, with employers, benefit agencies, and landlords, etc.

• Coordinate with other specialist advisors and projects within the Citizens Advice Bureau network to ensure clients receive support with complex issues.

• Keep comprehensive records of casework which meet audit requirements, including use of CASTLE case recording system.

• Identify areas for personal development and proactively explore training opportunities to continue your own personal development.

• Keep up to date on relevant legislation and case law relevant to the role.

• Carry out case checking responsibilities to help ensure cases are meeting audit requirements.

• Uphold the principles of Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB at all times.

This list is not exhaustive, and you will be expected to carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the operations coordinator or the bureau manager.