Applications are invited for experienced Benefits & Debt Advisers to advise on benefits, income maximisation, debt management and sustaining accommodation. The successful applicants will form part of a team working from base and in other locations within the city. It is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the benefits system, income maximisation and some experience of debt management to Type II. A proven record of case work in Money Advice with vulnerable clients is required. Familiarity of the voluntary sector would be an advantage.

The post holders will be expected to deal effectively and efficiently with clients, maintain full case records, statistics and reports on activities.

About Us:

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:

The Money Advice Worker is responsible for quality of advice and delivery of the money advice service provided by Roxburgh & Berwickshire CAB.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing money advice casework service to clients, undertaking detailed casework on their behalf
• Providing support for money advice within the CAB Generalist service, including to both staff and volunteers.

About Us:

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:

As an Advice Worker, you will have an interesting and rewarding role giving advice on a range of topics. You will work as part of a supportive team ensuring our clients receive a holistic service enabling them to exercise their rights and access the benefits and services they are entitled to. You will have the opportunity to advise across a number of areas, including: benefits, housing, debt, and employment etc.

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 and explain these on a concise and understandable way, to allow the client to make an informed decision.
• Provide practical assistance to clients such as completing benefit calculations on their behalf and helping clients to contact other agencies.
• 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 specialist advisors and projects within the Citizens Advice Bureau network to ensure clients receive support with complex issues.
• Refer clients to external agencies where the support required falls outwith our remit.
• Maintain accurate records through the 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.
• Uphold the principles of Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB at all times.

About Money Advice Scotland

The times we live through are frequently described as unprecedented.

A century pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has magnified and entrenched inequality.

But it has also shown that change can happen rapidly and can make a real difference.

We need change. We need new ideas when old solutions cannot solve new problems.

Money Advice Scotland is Scotland’s money charity. Our mission is to be the driving force towards financial wellbeing for the people of Scotland.

We believe we will achieve this by supporting the advice workforce, empowering citizens to get help and support, and advocating for fairer policy.

About the role

Our Financial Wellbeing Team works towards the strategic aim of improving financial health and wellbeing.

We do this by delivering evidence-based money guidance to several audiences, including schools, colleges, communities, and workplaces.

We also deliver financial wellbeing training to professionals, administer our e-learning modules and create a wide range of digital resources so that people can access financial information in a format that is most suited to their needs.

Full details are available in the job description below.