An experienced adviser is required for a new project to improve the financial circumstances of the families supported by Midlothian’s Family Wellbeing Service and improve the outcomes for the children.

The project will work with, and receive referrals from, the Family Wellbeing Service team members. The worker will link with other agencies and work closely with Penicuik CAB’s other family income maximisation advisers and specialist debt worker to develop a wraparound service to increase household income and improve quality of life for the family.

The project worker, in partnership with the GIRFEC and Hawthorn Income Maximisation Workers will provide awareness raising sessions with the Family Wellbeing team members and any other agencies, as appropriate.

Based at the Penicuik CAB and working at any centres deemed appropriate, the worker will provide help and assistance with checking benefit entitlement, completing benefit applications and challenging benefit decisions. The work will also include income maximisation, budgeting advice and some assistance with debt issues (including housing debt).

A working knowledge and understanding of welfare benefits and good interpersonal skills are essential. The post holder will be responsible for developing and delivering the service to meet the needs of the families.

Penicuik CAB is committed to equal opportunities both in service provision and employment.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team of paid and volunteer staff to further develop our Debt Advice service across Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau. We have been delivering a valuable, high level service to the community of Clackmannanshire for over 50 years. We have accreditation in Type iii advice by Scottish National Standards for advice providers (SNSIAP) in the areas of Housing, Debt and Benefits.

Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau, based in Alloa, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice to the residents of Clackmannanshire across 6 locations in the county. We average 26-30 paid staff and 21 volunteers who provide a wide range of services across our 20 projects.

We offer additional working benefits such as 5% employers pension contribution, free membership of an employer health plan, free ebike loans, annual performance related salary increases, flexible working scheme including some home working and flexible starts finish times and the ability to buy and sell annual leave.

We are looking for a highly motivated and conscientious individual who wants to be part of a nationally accredited information and advice service.

The Debt Adviser will provide specialist debt advice up to Scottish National Standards Type iii, to clients referred through general services and partner agencies.

This will include complex debt case management, maintaining consistent working practice and quality assurance of debt cases ensuring that policy and practice meets all legal & regulatory requirements including the Financial Conduct Authority.

Enthusiasm, strong social awareness, good communication skills and an excellent team player are prerequisites for this demanding position. Significant experience in advice work, good organisational skills and an eye for details are essential. Consideration will be given to highly experienced exceptional individuals with experience as Generalist Advisers who can undertake Debt Advice training.

This post specifically exists to ensure the delivery of a high quality Debt Service within Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau. It will involve providing support to staff and volunteers who also deliver the service. This post supports the learning and development of a high quality service by ensuring provision of formal/informal training to staff/volunteers in conjunction with our General Services Supervisor.

About the job

The Income Maximisation/Financial Inclusion Adviser, will play a key role in the delivery of an independent, free, impartial and confidential advice, information and advocacy service, to Association standards, to assist vulnerable families and people, living in Falkirk, to deal with poverty related issues affecting their lives. The aim is to improve access to, and the efficiency of, financial health checks for vulnerable families and people, providing holistic financial inclusion and income maximisation advice in order to improve their financial circumstances.

Main Responsibilities

The Income Maximisation/Financial Inclusion Adviser aims to provide the most effective service to suit the needs of the client.

• Assist in Triaging all Bureau enquiries

• Undertake diagnostic interviews with clients by phone, face to face or video call and diagnosing whether individuals are eligible to apply for benefits or to access other income maximisation support.

• Help with resolution of straightforward enquiries

• Signpost clients who can do more to self-help

• Refer to Session Supervisor for help with emergencies

• Provide information and advice on all aspects of Social Security Benefits.

• Carry out benefit checks

• To provide assistance with the completion of benefits forms

• Make referral to internal Benefits/ Money Advice Teams or another appropriate agency.

Increasing volunteering – CAB Network

The Increasing Volunteering project was developed following a successful virtual Adviser Training Programme in 2020. It is designed to provide virtual training with live trainers for all bureaux in Scotland in conjunction with the Adviser Training Programme. The project is focused on supporting Scottish bureaux to increase their volunteering capacity through training support due to an increasing demand on services.

National Projects

Citizens Advice Bureau West Lothian offer advice services in relation to National Project work covering various specialised topics and facilitated by trained project advisers.

Summary of the Role

The Team Leader will be responsible for the running of the projects and engaging with Bureaux in relation to the Increasing Volunteering project. They will provide supervision to ensure teams operate efficiently and are achieving required outcomes.

The Team Leader will ensure that the projects are adequately staffed at all times and provide a level of session support and quality assurance.

Main Responsibilities

• To act as the main point of contact for the team.
• Ensure that work rotas are maintained and that there is adequate staff to cover during periods of absence.
• Training and Induction of Training Officers.
• Support new staff when completing the ATP together with shadowing, mentoring and management checks.
• Manage PR activities – social media, press, radio.
• Ensure training delivery is to a high standard and evaluate effectiveness.
• Review and evaluate the projects at regular intervals and ensure targets are being met and quality is consistent.
• Assist and support training officers to implement new programmes and distribute these to participating bureaux.
• Engage with and ensure an effective working relationship with participating Bureaux.
• Organise bespoke training as required.
• Support staff with regards to identifying training needs and ensuring access to appropriate training.
• Provide monthly and quarterly progress reports in relation to the Increasing Volunteering Project.
• Ensure project staff are producing and submitting reports as required.
• Carrying out other duties as specified by the Manager and required by the needs of the post.