Generalist Adviser

North & West Gloucestershire Citizens Advice are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join the Projects Team and make a real difference in their community.

This is an opportunity for you to join an established charity that has an excellent reputation for the provision of high-quality advice and is a great place to work. You’ll be part of a team committed to working together and with partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes we can for our clients.

This role is offered on a trainee and a qualified basis.

If you do not have the experience for this role, we have a training programme which will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experience you need, as well as a career opportunity which could lead to professional progression within the service.

Please note, this job specification applies to fully trained Caseworker. Trainee will be working towards gaining that qualification.

Want to chat about this role?

If you want to chat about the role further, you can contact Penny Hulbert via the email address or telephone number  to the right of this advert. 

The role

Company Benefits: £25,000 - £28,783 (dependent on experience)

Pension: Contribution of 7% based on 4% employee contribution

Birthday Leave: Take a day to celebrate your annual personal milestone.

This leave does not form part of your annual leave entitlement.

Christmas Closure: Our office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s, and these days won’t count towards your holiday entitlement.

Flexible Working

Policy:
Includes compressed hours, flexitime, homeworking/hybrid

Role purpose

Your role will be key part of the new Advice First Aid Project. You will support vulnerable residents with issues such as Benefits, debts, housing and employment and take referrals from Frontline workers across the districts. You will enjoy building relationships with local frontline teams so you can work together to support people.

Working from our offices, as well as community settings such as foodbanks, libraries and hubs, you will provide holistic advice and casework support to local residents.

This role is part of an exciting pilot project, jointly delivered by Stroud and Cotswold Districts Citizens Advice so part of the role includes collecting information to report to the funder.

Role profile

Service Delivery – advice.

➢ Provide holistic advice to local residents on the telephone, by email and face to face.
➢ Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions.
➢ Issue food vouchers to clients in accordance with Trussell Trust criteria and processes and apply for appropriate grants for a client.
➢ Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.
➢ Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate.
➢ Provide low level casework to help move clients forward with their problem and make effective referrals and sign posting.
➢ Complete benefit calculations and Debt Assessment Tools to identify options for clients to make informed choices.
➢ Complete confirmation of advice letters/emails and provide follow ups, ensuring deadlines are met and clients are aware of timelines when selfservicing.
➢ Maintain accurate case records and data recording.
➢ Where appropriate, deliver advice at outreach and pop-up locations and ensure fully resourced to deliver successfully.
➢ Use information and advice resources, including remote supervisors to ensure advice is accurate.
➢ Develop the project.
➢ Ensure all relevant policies and procedures are followed in work.
➢ Ensure continuous improvement in your own work and service development, gaining user and stakeholder feedback and meeting advice quality standards in line with Citizens Advice quality framework and Advice Quality Standard.

Research and Campaigns

➢ Assist with research and campaigns work by providing information as appropriate.
➢ Alert clients to research and campaign options.
➢ Professional Development
➢ Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.

Administration

➢ Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with Citizens Advice line manager.
➢ Use IT for statistical recording of information relating to research and campaigns and funding requirements, record keeping and document production.
➢ Ensure all work conforms to the organisation’s systems and procedures.

Partnership working

➢ Attend Advice First Aid Sessions to support and trainer and network with the frontline teams
➢ Liaise with trained Advice First Aiders to receive referrals
➢ Where appropriate, represent Citizens Advice at networking meetings
➢ Liaise with partner organisations.

Other
➢ Carry out any other tasks which may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service
➢ Abide by safeguarding, health and safety policies

To apply for this post please complete our application form, which can be found on our website, by clicking on Apply Now, where you can also read the full Person Specification.

In accordance with Citizens Advice national policy we may require the successful candidate to be screened by the DBS. However, a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to your being able to take up the job.