Roxburgh & Berwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau is based in the Scottish Borders, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice and support to local people. We work with Central Borders and Peebles and District CAB as a Consortium to provide advice and support to people across the whole of the Scottish Borders.

This role is designed to help individuals across Roxburgh & Berwickshire during on-going times of stress and uncertainty by offering timely, effective, and targeted advice and support to create a lasting positive impact. We will do this by offering a generalist support service which will assess client need at the earliest opportunity, deliver effective advice, and support and maintain comprehensive case records.

Generalist advice is important to people who are looking for reassurance and advice about their issues but are unsure or unable to move forward by themselves. This service provides a brief intervention and aims to sort client priorities, based on their needs, and support them to act. Due to the complexity of many of our clients’ needs and issues, provision of generalist advice is imperative to ensure our clients are properly and timeously dealt with and facilitates the flow across our casework services.

The type of issues that the Generalist Adviser would help advise and direct on include Benefits, Income maximisation, Budgeting, Money & Debt, Housing, Relationship, Employment and Legal.

This post is designed to help individuals across Roxburgh & Berwickshire during on-going times of stress and uncertainty. The post holders will

• Assess clients’ needs and establish the level of advice and support needed by using sensitive listening and questioning skills.
• Identify any emergencies and give advice as appropriate, ensuring the correct type and level of support required.
• Direct clients to advice guide where they can navigate the issue after basic guidance.
• Provide internal and external referrals and information on advice and representation and other tackling poverty initiatives throughout Roxburgh & Berwickshire.
• To check whether individuals are eligible to apply for benefits and assist with applications where support is needed.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in relevant legislation eg debt, welfare rights and benefits.
• Co-ordinates the needs of the client and liaises where appropriate with specialist Bureau staff and other relevant agencies.
• Maintain accurate case records and files in both written and electronic form in line with national standards and Citizens Advice Scotland's quality assurance.
• To record, update and maintain information on a case management system for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.

Roxburgh & Berwickshire CAB offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 34 days leave pro rata, and a pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution. Roxburgh & Berwickshire CAB is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.