Citizens Advice Edinburgh works in partnership with NHS Lothian, the NHS Charity, and the Community Help & Advice Initiative (CHAI) to deliver an outreach advice service at the Western General (WGH), Royal Infirmary (RIE), and Royal Hospital for Children & Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh. The service comprises 3 part-time staff members at the Royal Infirmary, 1 part-time staff member at the Western General, and 1 part-time staff member at the RHCYP.

The present vacancy is at the RIE, although the post holder may be required to work flexibly between the hospitals, covering periods of annual leave, sickness absence, training, etc.

The project delivers welfare rights and health-related advice to patients, visitors and staff members attending the acute sector in Edinburgh. Research has shown that resolving problems with benefits, debt, employment, housing, and family issues can have a positive effect on patient health. The service is also aimed at clients who have had a recent change in circumstances due to a health-related issue or diagnosis.

The Welfare Rights and Health Project Adviser should be experienced in giving advice, particularly in relation to benefits. They must have an understanding of the role within the healthcare environment and the impact of poverty on health.

The post holder will be required to assertively develop and maintain links with NHS staff, Social Work staff, other CAE specialists and external agencies.

The acute sector is a fast-paced, rapidly evolving, and challenging environment in which to work. Due to the project’s setting, the work can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Clients are frequently extremely unwell, presenting practical challenges to engagement, and advisers must move around the large hospital sites in order to meet with staff, patients and carers. In addition to possessing the necessary practical knowledge, candidates will therefore require energy and resilience to maintain the service’s success.

Citizens Advice Edinburgh (CAE) are looking to recruit an Advice Services Manager to join our Management Team, in delivering high quality and accessable advice and support to people in Edinburgh and its surrounding communities.

You will be joining the largest network of advice providers in the UK, with excellent professional development opportunities and competitive remuneration packages.

You will also be part of a community led organisation, with a substantial profile, making a real difference to your local community and supporting those in greatest need.

Advice Services Managers oversee our day-to-day advice service, recruit, support and supervise a team of staff and volunteers, provide expert knowledge and quality assurance and represent the organisation in campaigning for changes to policies and legislation on the issues that impact the lives of people in Edinburgh and across the UK.

Financially Included is a specialist welfare rights project supporting women who have experienced economic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence, which have impacted their ability to achieve financial independence and stability.

As the project enters an exciting new phase of growth and development, we are seeking to recruit a dedicated and experienced Administrator to join our team.

This is a key role within a dynamic and innovative project. We are looking for someone who is passionate about social justice, thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, and has a strong understanding of the feminist analysis of gender-based violence.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the delivery of our work and ensuring the smooth running of our services. You will be required to work across a number of functions within the project, so the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and multi-layered environment is essential.

By joining Financially Included, you will become part of a passionate and committed team with a shared vision and values, working to improve outcomes for women affected by economic abuse.

GEMAP Scotland is committed to Fair Work First principles, including providing a supportive working environment, promoting equality, and investing in staff wellbeing and development.

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.

About the project:

The Veterans Advice Service is a new project being established for the 2026-2027 financial year. The project will support both veterans and their families by providing holistic advice covering a range of areas such as benefits, housing, debt, and employment.

This project will include a focus on providing outreach in locations within Roxburgh and Berwickshire which do not currently have a physical CAB presence. These outreach sessions will allow the provision of face-to-face advice and aim to ameliorate the challenges faced by veterans living in rurality such as geographic and social isolation.

As part of this outreach activity, the project advisor will liaise with groups and organisations who are providing support for veterans within the community. The project advisor will raise awareness of the services and advice areas covered by Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB.

Job description:

As the Veterans Advice Service Advisor, 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. You will also have the opportunity to run outreach sessions within the local community, engaging with veterans and their families.

Within the role you will work with the bureau manager and operations coordinators to engage with other groups and organisations within the local community.

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 in a concise and understandable way, to allow the client to make an informed decision.

• Engage with organisations and groups which provide support to veterans and their families, through raising awareness of our services, whilst also consolidating and strengthening clear referral pathways.

• Run outreach sessions across Roxburgh and Berwickshire to enable our clients to access advice within their local community.

• 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 other 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 out with 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.

This list is not exhaustive, and you will be expected to carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the operations coordinator or the bureau manager.

The role may require the occasional weekend work.