Hamilton Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was formed over 50 years ago to provide a holistic advice service to the residents of Hamilton. As a member of the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux network, Hamilton CAB aims to provide free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice and information to ensure that people understand their rights and responsibilities and can express their needs effectively. We campaign and influence to tackle the root cause of the problems people face and work to strengthen their rights.

Hamilton CAB currently operates from two offices in Hamilton and are supported by 18 members of staff and 31 volunteers including board members. The Bureau supports individuals with a wide range of general enquiries whilst project staff provide specialist support on topics including benefits, debt, utilities, and money matters.

The role:

We are seeking a committed and dynamic individual to serve as the Chair of our organisation.

As Chair, you will play a vital role by providing strategic leadership to the board, ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation. You will also provide line management, support and direction to the Chief Officer, helping them to achieve the organisation’s aims and objectives; and ensures the smooth running of Hamilton CAB.

We are looking for an individual who has experience of leadership and governance. You will have a passion for the voluntary sector, strong leadership skills and an ability to drive forward positive change.

Although, not financially remunerated, the role is high profile and respected within the community and will offer a great challenge, learning and networking opportunity for the right person.

There are an average of 6 Board meetings per year to commit to as well as preparation time and regular collaboration /communications with the team and stakeholders.

Are you a passionate and caring individual that believes in social justice for all and can build positive relationships providing support and advocate on behalf of individuals that are currently involved with Justice Services.

The Wise Group, Community Justice Team are looking for 3 x mentors to provide a Throughcare support service to people who are currently on remand within HMP Perth, returning to Fife, are at risk of homelessness on release and are likely to be released direct from Court. The candidate will liaise with the customer and several services to allow the customer to reintegrate back into the community, this would include arranging help with housing, debt, benefits, addictions, and family relationships and ongoing support.

You may well have a previous offending background and spent some time in prison. If so, now is the chance to put this experience to good use and become a Mentor.

A full driving licence and daily use of a car is required as there will be some travelling required in this post.

Home broadband connection is also required to allow home working.

Are you passionate and committed to making a meaningful difference for families with young children experiencing barriers to moving out of poverty.

Within the UK, there is an estimated £22.7 billion a year in unclaimed welfare benefits and in Edinburgh 1 in 5 children are living in poverty.

This is an exciting opportunity for an Advice Worker to join our ‘Advice For Families’ team and deliver a high quality advice service to families in Edinburgh with pre-school children. Taking an early intervention and trauma-informed approach, the adviser will provide benefits, housing and debt advice to parents, in order to promote improved financial and social wellbeing for families.

The role will involve developing strong professional partnerships with other early years practitioners including Early Years Centres; Nurseries; Midwifery and Family Nurse Partnerships and Health Visitor teams.

Extensive in-house training and support will be provided to the successful candidate who demonstrates the right qualities for this role.

Are you?:

• Passionate and committed to making a meaningful difference for families experiencing barriers to moving out of poverty
• Able to quickly learn complex rules and legislation on Welfare Benefits, Debt and Housing.
• Enthusiastic about contributing to the delivery and development of partnership services.
• Able to build trusting professional relationships.
• Understanding of people’s journeys and the challenges they have had in their lives, and how poverty and inequality can have an impact on them.

At CHAI we offer the following:

• Extensive training programme
• Flexible working
• Access to Simply Health benefit plan
• 32 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays)
• Enrolment to NOW Pension Scheme
• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities to improve services and make a difference.

Working for a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)

Mark Ruskell MSP is looking for a Casework Coordinator to join his team based in Mid Scotland and Fife.

MSPs are employers in their own right. Under their employment, you will become part of a team supporting them in carrying out their duties. You'll work in a dynamic and fast paced environment to provide an outstanding service for constituents.

Responsibilities

• Supporting with keeping casework up to date and responding to public enquiries.
  • Keeping cases up to date by tracking, logging, and recognising when to escalate issues within team.
  • Meeting constituents on a wide range of issues, including those of a sensitive nature and escalating accordingly.
  • Supporting the Head of Office to investigate patterns of enquiries and produce casework reports.

• Assisting the broader regional team by attending visits, monitoring local issues and media coverage on my behalf.
  • Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
  • Preparing and delivering regular briefings and updates on regional issues to Mark and the broader team.
  • Supporting Mark on visits across the Mid Scotland & Fife Region.
  • Monitoring local and regional media trends.

• Supporting with general regional office administration and acting as front of office for enquiries.
  • Responding to all regional correspondence while professionally managing each enquiry within agreed timescale
  • Building and maintaining relationships with regional organisations, stakeholders, and groups as required.
  • Drafting written correspondence such as letters, requests for information and parliamentary questions and motions.

• Reviewing constituent records and documentation in line with casework GDPR requirements.
  • Ensuring casework filing systems, both electronic and manual, are kept up-to-date in line with GDPR requirements.
  • Ensuring broader administrative and secretarial support is provided.

About You

Requirements

• Have experience of providing professional advice and/or advocacy support in a work or voluntary setting.
• Have the ability to foster good working relationships with a wider variety of stakeholders.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges and find solutions.
• Have excellent written, verbal and IT skills with accurate attention to detail.
• Have a flexible and adaptable approach, being able to use good judgement and work on own initiative.
• Be well organised with the ability to prioritise competing workloads.
• Be patient and sensitive while remaining objective and open minded.
• Be comfortable being in a front facing role explaining regulations such as GDPR to the general public.
• Be acutely aware of the responsibility of representing those unable to do so themselves in certain situations.
• Have a natural interest in helping people with a curiosity to probe for further information where required.
• Have an interest in politics and the Mid Scotland and Fife region.