Qualified Debt Adviser
Job pack
Apply before 11.59pm on 21 April 2025.
Job summary
Salary
£25,350 - £27,300 pro-rata depending on experience
Location
Minehead, Somerset
Workplace
Hybrid working
Contract
Permanent or Part-Time
Working pattern
Flexible
Hours per week
37.5 or 22.5 hours per week, part time considered.
How to apply
You can admin@citizensadvicewestsomerset.org.uk.
About the role
Thank you for your interest in working at Citizens Advice West Somerset (CAWS).
In the job pack you’ll find:
The purpose of the role
Our Values
Overview of the of the Citizens Advice service
About Citizens Advice West Somerset
The role profile and person specification
After reading this job pack, if you would like to proceed with an application please email admin@citizensadvicewestsomerset.org.uk. You will be asked to complete a Personal Statement detailing how your skills and experience fit each of the Person Specification Criteria outlined in this job profile by 21th April 2025.
Purpose of the role
To deliver advice by telephone and face to face to residents of the area that used to be called West Somerset providing comprehensive and full range of money/debt advice in line with Financial Conduct Authority regulation and Debt Advice Quality Framework.
To deliver money advice support across Citizens Advice West Somerset (CAWS) staff and volunteers.
To promote and deliver the money advice service of the organisation by attending outreach locations and clients’ homes where required.
Flexible working
Role profile
• Money Advice Delivery
• Full time 37.5 hours per week or 22.5 hours per week, part time considered.
• Provide comprehensive debt/money advice in line with the Financial Conduct Authority regulations including the Consumer Duty, and Debt Advice Quality Framework
• Provide advice in income maximisation, benefits, budgeting, financial capability and housing.
• Complete Debt Relief Orders on behalf of clients (if accredited)
• Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor approach to advice accordingly.
• Visit Outreach locations to deliver advice.
• Provide a clear plan of action and follow-up on actions relating to cases as appropriate.
• Identify and escalate serious problems, including safeguarding, appropriately.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a team.
• Support clients in via telephone and outreach venues.
• Commit to ongoing training/development.
• Ensure that work reflects and supports the Citizens Advice service's equality and diversity strategy.
• Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of advice, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Complete the required training to comply with quality assurance processes.
• To carry out community outreach projects in the boroughs in which we work as required.
Research and campaigns.
• Support our research and campaigns work through various channels including case studies, data collection and client consent.
• Professional development
• Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake appropriate training.
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate.
Administration
• Use telephony and IT equipment for multichannel delivery of advice services.
• Use IT software for statistical recording of information relating to research and campaigns and funding requirements, record keeping and document production.
• Ensure that all work conforms to the organisation’s systems and procedures.
• Other duties and responsibilities
• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of CAWS advice service.
• Create a positive working environment which equality and diversity are professionally managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff can do their best.
Applying for this role
Person specification
Essential
• Hold an up-to-date Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent)
• Proven ability to interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of issues and empower clients, whilst maintaining structure and control of meetings
• Knowledge of multiple enquiry areas (i.e. debt, benefits, housing, employment, financial capability)
• Ability to understand statistics and check accuracy of calculations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make use of telephony and IT systems to deliver service.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise own work to meet deadlines and manage workload.
• Accredited money/debt adviser (either Citizens Advice training, Wiser Adviser (IMA) training or equivalent)
Other requirements
• Car insurance that covers occasional business use
• To take up this post you must have the right to work in the UK. Please note that Citizens Advice does not hold a sponsor licence and, therefore, cannot issue certificates of sponsorship under the points-based system.
Criminal Convictions
• Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working for Citizens Advice– much will depend on the type of job you have applied for and the background and circumstances of your offence.
• For some posts, an offer of employment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If this applies to the post for which you are applying, this will be noted in the application pack.
• Please note in your Personal Statement whether you have you had any previous convictions not regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If so, please provide details of the offence and the date of conviction.