As the charitable subsidiary of West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA), Willowacre Trusts overarching aim is to tackle social and economic disadvantage and impact on tenancy sustainment within the communities served by WSHA. Our values (respect, inclusive, integrity, improvement and support) shape how we act, our decisions and the services we provide.

Willowacre Trust and West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) are committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. Our values are Respect, Inclusive, Integrity, Improvement, and Support which shape our decisions and services. With 84% of staff saying WSHA is a great place to work, we pride ourselves on creating a friendly, inclusive environment supported by a flexible hybrid working model and a strong focus on staff wellbeing

We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion or belief. We are particularly interested to hear from applicants with a disability, or from a black or minority ethnic background.

Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria will, where possible be granted an interview under the Disability Confident scheme

The Role:

We are looking for a new part time Community Worker who shares our values and will use them to guide the way they work on a daily basis. You will be accountable to our Community Development Officer.

Willowacre Trust provides a wide variety of groups, activities, events and projects in partnership with local community members and organisations to address inequalities and support inclusion. You will take an active part in actively engaging with individuals and groups to identify needs, deliver groups and activities, provide support, facilitate access to services, and empower them to address social issues. These will often focus on areas like poverty, health, housing, or mental wellbeing. Through building relationships, the post holder will act as a vital link between the charity's services and the local community. Although your office base will be Barrowfield in the East End of Glasgow, you will provide services across all of our communities within Glasgow, South, North and East Ayrshire and North and South Lanarkshire

The Barrowfield Community Hub is normally open 7 days per week, with late night opening 3 days a week on weeknights to 8pm subject to bookings.

What You’ll Do

• Support the charities existing activities and groups to continue, develop and grow, taking an asset-based partnership approach
• Ensure that the Hub provides a welcoming, safe, caring, and healthy working environment for anchor tenants, staff, volunteers, and the wider community
• Support the development and take up of existing and new volunteering opportunities at the Barrowfield Community Hub and recruit, train, and support volunteers
• Actively signpost, refer and support community members to take up partner organisations offer of activities and services

What We’re Looking For

• Excellent interpersonal and engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Good IT skills including word processing, excel, email and other software packages
• Ability to motivate and encourage community participation within hard-to-reach groups
• Experience of working or volunteering directly with communities
• Experience of developing and delivering community activities and events

Why Join Us?

• Generous holiday allowance: 40 days (pro rata)
• Wellbeing focus: Gold accreditation for Investors in People
• Employee Support Service: Free and comprehensive
• Cycle to work scheme & secure bike shed at the office
• Access to Saturday Hospital Fund for you and your family

We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion or belief. We are particularly interested to hear from applicants with a disability, or from a black or minority ethnic background.

Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria will, where possible be granted an interview under the Disability Confident scheme.

Summary of main responsibilities

• Overall operational control and management of the Bureau within guidelines laid down by the Board and Membership Standards agreed by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS)

• Overall management of all paid and unpaid staff (volunteers)

• Ensure that all aspects of client enquiries are efficiently and effectively dealt with.

• Represent the Bureau positively to all other agencies or organisations.

• Design and develop along with the Board the Bureau’s strategic aims.

• Responsibility for ensuring effective use of IT.

General Management Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen the role of the bureau within the community including positive partnerships with other Bureaux.

• Plan, coordinate, and manage all activities of the Bureau in conjunction with the Board.

• To ensure that the Bureau fully complies with the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice Scotland membership scheme.

• Ensure that the bureau’s quality of advice including case recording is of the highest quality, ensuring that Scottish National Standards (SNS) are met.

Management of staff

• Ensure that there are always sufficient staff and volunteers so that the volunteer led generalist advice services run smoothly.

• Recruit and select volunteers with the Office Manager ensuring training is undertaken to meet required competence standards.

• Ensure the Bureau fully complies with equal opportunities and updated policies as required.

• Provide staff support, supervision, appraisal, and development.

• Hold staff and volunteer meetings as required and ensure discussion on relevant Bureau matters.

• Ensure staff information records including appraisal, training and sick absence records fully comply with GDPR requirements.

• To work in conjunction with the Office Manager to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible including accuracy and quality of advice given to clients to comply with GDPR, CAS and SNS principles.

• Ensure that advice related policies and procedures are fit for purpose and up to date.

Finance and Budgeting

• Control Bureau spend within limits set by The Board.

• Ensure an accurate record of all income and expenditure is maintained.

• Arrange preparation of monthly accounts and financial projections.

• To advise the Board on matters of operational expenditure including costings as required.

• To assist the Treasurer or any other appropriate Board member in the preparation of annual accounts and AGM reports including annual reports.

• Ensure Bureau and projects are adequately funded by making applications to funding bodies with the approval of the Board and comply with the Bureau Fundraising Strategy.

Representing Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

• Liaise with members and officers of North Lanarkshire Council and participate in appropriate council groups.

• Represent the Bureau positively in local networks as required.

• Maintain and develop relationships with funders and local agencies.

• Liaise and maintain and develop links with other voluntary organisations including membership of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL).

• Contribute to and participate in the activities of CAS and associated groups.

• Maintain and develop the Bureau’s role and relationship with CAS and other national agencies.

Audit and Quality Assurance

• Assist in the CAS audit by compiling information, providing up to date policies, and meeting their requirements.

• Implement a quality control system for the monitoring of the service provided to clients.

• Prepare full, accurate and regular reports on all Bureau activities as required by the Board.

• Ensure that the bureau works to SNS for information and advice.

• Ensure that the bureau fully complies with the CAS agreed complaints process.

• Statutory returns to OSCR and Companies House

Administration

• To ensure that there is an effective system in place to provide a quality advice system to clients to minimise delays in answering client enquiries and provide advice.

• To ensure that the Bureau premises and equipment are maintained to as high a standard as possible and that all requirements of Health & Safety legislation are met.

• Seek opportunities for press and media coverage to promote and highlight the work of the CAB.

• Provide the Board with reports and policy guidance as required.

• Ensure that the Bureau makes statistical, legal, and social policy returns to CAS to adhere to membership requirements.

• Ensure that all returns to statutory bodies are completed accurately and timeously to ensure legal compliance.

• Ensure that Bureau conducts local social policy work as required.

• To keep abreast of latest developments within the advice and charity sector and discuss any changes required at Board meetings.

• Organise and prepare necessary paperwork for Board members for the bi-monthly or as required, Board meetings.

• Liaise with accountant re annual accounts and payroll.

Management of Bureau IT facilities

• Have overall responsibility for and ensure the effectiveness and secure use of all IT, communication systems, and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of Bureau objectives.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers have access to, and are adequately trained in, the Bureau IT systems and software applications to perform their duties effectively.

• Advise the Board, on matters of IT planning, security, maintenance, and budgeting.

• Ensure and fully adhere to all aspects of GDPR for full compliance and provide regular training to all users to avoid data breaches.

To undertake any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Board.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team of paid staff and volunteers in providing free and confidential advice to Clackmannanshire residents. Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau, based in Alloa, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice to the residents of Clackmannanshire across 7 locations in the county.

We have been delivering a valuable, high-level service to the community of Clackmannanshire for nearly 60 years. We have accreditation in Type III advice by Scottish National Standards for advice providers (SNSIAP) in the areas of Housing, Debt and Benefits.

The Bureau is looking for a highly motivated team player to undertake this role which will include session supervision to support our trainees and volunteers, as well as casework depending on our rota and the candidate’s experience. The ideal candidate will have experience of session supervision within a CAB, however, experienced advisers who can demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills will also be considered.

Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau typically delivers over 20 funded advice projects each year and there are likely to be exciting opportunities to train alongside and support our debt and energy advice teams.

There is a requirement to ensure that all work conforms to the bureau's systems and procedures and the Citizens Advice Quality standard. Case records must be maintained for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.

All advisers are required to assist with social policy work by providing information about clients' circumstances.

This role provides an excellent opportunity based at our premises in Glebe Hall, Burgh Mews, Alloa.

Applicants should demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, enthusiasm, strong social awareness and an excellent team player, be well organised and be proficient in using a range of IT tools to carry out their work, including case recording systems and Microsoft Office.

This is a unique opportunity to give citizens access to free, impartial and confidential advice helping them to make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however they choose to access it.

Employee Benefits

Benefits of working with Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau are, annual performance related salary increases, 5% employer’s pension contribution plan, free membership of an employer health plan, free use of company ebikes and a retail perks scheme. Holiday entitlement for full year is 39 days pro rata leave including public holidays, with the ability to buy and sell annual leave. Flexible working scheme including some flexible start and finish times