Reporting to: General Services Co-ordinator

Role Purpose: The Trainee Caseworker will provide advice and information (money advice and benefits) service to people in East Lothian. Full training will be given.

Contractual Conditions: The post will necessitate travel throughout East Lothian. There will be a balance of home working and being office based.

Staff Managed: None

Responsibilities:

• Conduct welfare benefit assessments with clients to determine eligibility.
• Explain benefits entitlements to clients in a clear and concise manner.
• Advise clients on suitable benefit entitlements and assist in completing necessary forms.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits regulations and any changes coming up.
• Ensure accurate records are kept of each client interviewed and their benefits applications.
• Assist clients in challenging benefit decisions, including representing them in appeal tribunals where necessary.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality when dealing with sensitive personal and financial information.
• Conduct money advice interviews with clients.
• Assess client income and expenditure to provide a clear picture of their financial situation.
• Identify a client's level of debt and create a plan for paying it off.
• Provide support to clients who need assistance in completing debt management plans or other repayment plans.
• Advise clients about statutory debt solutions, such as bankruptcy, when necessary.
• Keep detailed and accurate records of each client's situation and progress.

Requirements:

• Experience (or training to be given) in casework and/or welfare benefit assessment and money advice services.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and eligibility criteria for welfare benefits.
• In-depth knowledge of debt advice and experience in assessing clients' income and expenditure.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex and sensitive information clearly to clients.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Ability to work well under pressure, manage a high workload, and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
• Empathy and patience in dealing with clients who may be vulnerable or in distress.

Do you want to help a local charity support our local community. We are looking for new Trustee Board Members to join us. We’re looking for individuals who share our passion and values, who will support us to deliver our mission to empower and support citizens throughout Perth and Kinross in areas such as debt, benefits, employment, consumer rights, and to create a more equal and inclusive society.

The Board’s role is to provide overall governance for the Bureau, to set strategic direction, and to ensure that as an organisation we are providing the services required to support the community. We are looking for individuals who want to share their knowledge and experience, to work collaboratively with other trustees and our CEO to ensure Perth Citizens Advice Bureau continues to thrive in responding to the needs of our community.

If you don’t think you meet the ‘traditional’ profile of a charity trustee which may have put you off applying in the past then we want to hear from you! We want our board to reflect the communities we serve and would welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

Our trustees are asked to attend a board meeting once every two months and to join at least one sub-committee; Finance, Governance or People. The time commitment is between four and six hours a month including meeting preparation.

Since 1984 Granton Information Centre (GIC) have worked hard to improve the lives of individuals and families by providing free & impartial advice, advocacy and representation on matters relating to welfare rights, debt and general housing queries. If you are passionate about alleviating poverty and supporting people and communities in Edinburgh, we want to hear from you!

Main Tasks

• Provide advice, assistance and when necessary representation with welfare benefit entitlement claims and money, debt and general housing issues, via centre based, telephone, outreach and home visit appointments.
• Represent claimants at appeal tribunals.
• Record and maintain accurate client case records using our Advice Pro recording system.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of changes and developments in welfare, housing and debt legislation and liaise with colleagues on any issues that need to be communicated wider.

Welcoming, Connecting and Supporting Families and Visitors is at the core of what we do here at the Croft!

Providing practical and emotional support, information and advice to the families impacted by a loved one’s imprisonment at HMP Barlinnie to help make their visiting experience the best it can be under the circumstances

Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of families affected by another’s imprisonment – this is a group of people, including many children, often marginalised and severely impacted, practically, emotionally and financially by the actions of another. Want to learn new skills in the process? - you can by becoming a volunteer Board Member for the Croft HMP Barlinnie’s Visitors Centre.

What we are looking for

We are looking to recruit a number of Board members.

We welcome applicants from any background and experience, including people who have been personally impacted. We welcome all skills but do have particular skills gaps we would love to bring on board–

• Case Management Systems – to have oversight of and help us develop an appropriate system.
• Treasurer - Accounting/Finance experience to help us with oversight of our funding and statutory reporting.
• Human Resources.
• Business development/growth – particularly Social Enterprises / Community Interest Companies.

What you get from being a Board Member

1. The chance to give something back into the community and make a real difference to the lives of families impacted by imprisonment - Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic way to give something back to a cause you care about. You’ll be playing an integral part in the way the charity is run, ensuring it remains sustainable and financially viable. The help you provide will be invaluable.
2. Meet new people - joining a new organisation or charity is a fantastic way to meet new people from a range of different personal and professional backgrounds. There will be meetings to attend, projects to get involved.
3. Learn new things - getting involved as a charity Trustee is a great way to put your professional skills to use, but can also be a fantastic opportunity to learn new things. You’ll get great insight into what’s involved in the management of charities and gain skills on working well within a leadership role.
4. Improve your CV and enhance your professional development - from learning how organisations are run to planning finances and attending meetings, this experience can be the perfect way to boost a CV and set you apart from the crowd.

Background

For more information about the Croft and its work see:

Visit our new website: thecroftfamilysupport.org

Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/CroftVisitorsService

Click on this article to read about just some of the work we do: cjg-annualreport23.co.uk/2023/08/21/supporting-families-cost-of-living-crisis-a-year-of-reflection