Debt Advisor - Centre4 Advice Worker 22.5 hrs.

Reports To: Social Prescribing & IAG Co-ordinator 

Job RoleCentre4 aims to deliver a person-centred approach to IAG by building relationships and identifying options and choices to help empower clients to resolve their problems and move forward. The team are based at the Centre4 Community Hub and work in partnership with Citizens Advice and the local Carers Centre to deliver welfare advice, including home visits to vulnerable clients. The service is available to anyone living in NEL. 

Centre4 is a vibrant Community Hub serving the needs of local residents.  The aim of our Advice service is to provide accessible integrated information, advice and guidance to the residents of North East Lincolnshire, creating a culture of self-help and developing aspiration and motivation to improve life chances.

Position: 2 x Advice Workers

Particular focus on debt

Salary: £14,075.10

22.5 Hours (Part Time 3 days a week on an initial 8 month contract)

We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced team players who can provide holistic support to clients who may be experiencing a wide range of financial and housing issues.   In addition to generalist advice the service is designed to improve access to employment opportunities, training and health services. 

Main responsibilities:

• Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills to enable clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities and goals
• Use appropriate tools to research client enquiries including the Citizens Advice AdviserNet website and Advice Guide to find, interpret and communicate accurate, up to date and relevant information
• Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions
• To check benefit entitlement and identify any unclaimed benefits and assist the client with claiming
• Work with the client to enhance budgeting skills as necessary and identify any other needs which may result in referrals to other agencies
• Build relationships with other services as required to meet other needs of the client
• Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning agencies as appropriate
• Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate

• Develop knowledge of and identify appropriate referral pathways to relevant statutory agencies and voluntary sector organisations relevant to the needs of the client
• Ensure that all work conforms to quality assurance standards

• Ensure that work reflects and supports the Centre4 equality and diversity standards
• Maintain accurate case notes to ensure continuity, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, report preparation and compliance with relevant Data Protection Act principles, GDPR and contract monitoring requirements
• Use appropriate tools and techniques to assess overall wellbeing with a view to developing an action plan to help the client engage with appropriate services and support
• To undertake home visits on a one to one basis in people’s homes and at other locations in line with client and business need
• Support access to digital and online solutions and improve overall financial resilience of people and communities

The successful applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills including working knowledge of IT packages such as Outlook, Word etc.; the ability to quickly build positive and supportive relationships with clients to help them resolve what are often complex issues; a strong commitment to team working with a proven ability to work flexibly as part of a small team.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake DBS check, cost will be met by Centre4.

Close date for applications: 26th August 2022

Interviews are anticipated to take place on: W/C 5th September 2022

Main Responsibilities 

•  Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills to enable clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities and goals

•  Use appropriate tools to research client enquiries including the Citizens Advice AdviserNet website and Advice Guide to find, interpret and communicate accurate, up to date and relevant information

• Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions

• To check benefit entitlement and identify any unclaimed benefits and assist the client with claiming 
• To identify and claim any grant assistance available. This is to ensure the priority outgoings of rent, council tax and utility bills are paid and are affordable before the payment of any other debts 
• To assist, where required, with creditors and offering reduced payments 
• Work with the client to enhance budgeting skills as necessary and identify any other needs which may result in referrals to other agencies

•  Build relationships with other services as required to meet other needs of the client 
• Identify vulnerability to request direct rent payments to landlord if applicable 
• Be aware of policies and procedures on issues relating to landlord and tenant law, private sector housing, owner occupation, social rented housing 
• Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning agencies as appropriate

•  Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate 
•  Develop knowledge of and identify appropriate referral pathways to relevant statutory agencies and voluntary sector organisations relevant to the needs of the client 
•  Ensure that all work conforms to quality assurance standards 
•  Ensure that work reflects and supports the Centre4 equality and diversity standards 
• Maintain accurate case notes to ensure continuity, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, report preparation and compliance with relevant Data Protection Act principles, GDPR and contract monitoring requirements 
•  Use appropriate tools and techniques to assess overall wellbeing with a viewto developing an action plan to help the client engage with appropriate services and support 
• To undertake home visits on a one to one basis in people’s homes and at other locations in line with client need 
• Support access to digital and online solutions and improve overall financial resilience of people and communities