Advice Jobs

Housing Advice and Assessment Hub Manager

Permanent

37.5 hours

Liverpool

£33,024 - £37,336

Our client

Morgan Hunt is thrilled to be working with a large homelessness charity in Liverpool to recruit a Housing Advice and Assessment Hub Manager on a permanent basis.

Our client provides support to people who are either experiencing or at risk of homelessness and / or have support needs. Our client is looking for an exceptional manage to take over responsibility for the management and delivery of their Housing Advice and Assessment Hub, providing a range of services for people experiencing homelessness, including people rough sleeping.

As an organisation, they offer help with building confidence whilst developing independent living skills and supporting people to address substance misuse or other health and wellbeing issues.

The role

• To foster an environment where meaningful connections are made with service users which maximise engagement and take up of services on offer.
• To maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant housing, welfare rights and benefits legislation and to act as a central resource providing expert advice and assistance which resolve or prevent homelessness or housing need.
• To have a working understanding of asylum and immigration legislation.
• To work with key partners to negotiate and inspire successful solutions and outcomes for service users; where appropriate, constructively challenging assessment decisions or exclusions.
• To co-ordinate and support staff to develop and deliver effective needs and risk assessments, initial crisis intervention and support.
• To work with other advice agencies to ensure a co-ordinated approach which maximizes the range of advice available to service users.
• To lead, direct and support a team of staff to deliver timely and effective solutions to homelessness.
• To ensure that staff training and development needs are identified and opportunities are provided for improving skills and understanding
• To ensure designated projects meet all contractual requirements, performance standards and target outcomes.
• To develop and maintain effective and efficient management information systems, providing comprehensive, meaningful and accurate management information analytics as required.
• To make effective use of metrics and management information to develop services which meet identified need
• To work within an agreed budget, ensuring all expenditure is appropriately recorded and reported.
• To build strong professional relationships and clear lines of communication with commissioners, colleagues and partner agencies.

The candidate

• A minimum of 2 years' experience working in a related homelessness, housing or welfare advice setting, planning, co-ordinating and delivering effective housing or welfare advice services to vulnerable people.
• Expert knowledge of housing, welfare rights and benefits legislation and experience of translating this into sound information and advice.
• Experience of negotiating successful outcomes with local authority agencies/other partner agencies
• Experience of managing a project which successfully meets all contractual/outcome targets
• Experience of leading a high performing team, effectively monitoring and managing performance at an individual and team level
• Experience of managing building premises, ensuring essential servicing, repairs and maintenance are undertaken
• Good understanding of all relevant health and safety legislation. Experience of contributing towards full premises risk assessments and ensuring safe systems of work are maintained.
• Experience of effective budget management
• Able to motivate, lead and develop teams and individuals in a positive atmosphere
• Able to delegate tasks effectively and to allocate responsibility for work within an agreed system of caseload management.
• Willing to challenge poor performance positively and constructively.
• This post is subject to a DBS check.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.

APPLICANTS THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR CURRENT HILLSIDE CLUBHOUSE EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR (EA) IN NHS TALKING THERAPIES ISLINGTON VACANCY NEED NOT APPLY AS WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.

Salary: £32,460 plus pension and benefits (rising to £34,385 after successful completion of probation)

Location: Employed by Hillside Clubhouse, based at the clubhouse site on North Road as well as in community-based settings across Islington.

Working format: Based onsite

Contract: Full-time and permanent

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established, dedicated and enthusiastic team supporting people with mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression to gain and retain employment. 

Hillside Clubhouse offers a friendly and supportive working environment, flexible working, career development opportunities, a comprehensive training and induction programme, a generous holiday entitlement and competitive financial rewards. We also provide a positive working environment to support our own employee’s wellbeing.

We are a co-produced mental health charity working across Camden and Islington. We support people with mental health conditions into training, volunteering, and employment opportunities. People can access our services via our Clubhouse, where they can share their skills and expertise with others and support the running of the charity.  Alternatively, they can receive support out in the community from one of our employment specialists based within primary and secondary care. 

As well as Recovery support, our clubhouse provides a dedicated employment support Information, Advice and Guidance service to Islington residents with mental health needs from our community base in North Road. The IAG team provides employment support to assist clients find employment, remain in work or return to work.  This takes the form of personalised support based on an individual action plan detailing the client’s agreed employment goals and actions.

OVERALL AIM

Working in collaboration with the Hillside Clubhouse Recovery project, the Employment Advisor team utilises the structured activity programme to help residents build confidence and transferable skills in a supportive setting. EAs work one-to-one with a caseload of around 40-50 people referred through various routeways including self-referrals, providing information, advice and guidance to empower clients to make better decisions about their career options and working lives, as well as signpost clients to other relevant support agencies, as appropriate.

This role would suit someone with a background in employment support, psychology, counselling, human resources, recruitment, or a desire to transfer their skills into the mental health support sector. 

Application Details

Please submit your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the specifications of the role.

We are a disability aware employer and actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health conditions.

Hillside Clubhouse is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from those who experience discrimination and / or prejudice based on their race, ethnicity or immigration status, women, new parents, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+ people.

To provide Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA) and Community Well Being services for people with mental health problems that enable them to: be independent be healthy and active be happy and do the things that make them happy contribute towards their social life and be with the people that they choose feel valued in society learn and develop to their full potential engage and make a contribution in their community contribute to, and enjoy safe and healthy relationships.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop, deliver and provide a range of IAA and Community Well Being activities and services, to meet the needs of people with mental health problems including: Open access/drop in facilities Support for citizens to access community based activities. Well-being checks Peer support to support citizens to attend activities or health appointments etc. Support for people to develop and learn new skills to help them live independently Self-management courses, Wellbeing and Activity Groups User involvement and participation Specialist support for groups marginalized by society Vocational opportunities

2. Provide IAA and Community Wellbeing Services that comply with relevant legislation, particularly; • Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 (including Codes of Practice) • Regulation and Inspection (Wales) Act 2016 • Mental Health Act 1983

3. Provide a IAA and Community Wellbeing Service that ensures that Citizens are treated with dignity and respect • ensures Citizens and their families are listened to, communicated with and consulted • supports Citizens to maintain their independence ensures Citizens are safeguarded from any abuse • ensures any appropriate outcome as defined in the National Outcomes Framework accompanying the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Act are met

4. Promote early detection and early resolution, so that concerns and problems are put right quickly and effectively.

5. Support individuals to achieve the following two outcome statements: • Well-being - I know and understand what care, support and opportunities are available to me and I get the help I need, when I need it, in the way I want it; securing rights and entitlements • My rights are respected, I have voice and control, I am involved in making decisions that affect my life, my individual circumstances are considered, I can speak for myself or have someone who can do it for me and I get care through the Welsh language if I need it.

6. Contribute towards preventing or delaying the development of people's needs for care and support.

7. Help reduce the needs for care and support of people who have such needs.

8. Work to minimise the effect on disabled people of their disabilities.

Interviews to be held on 16th December

Do you want to support individuals and families in our local community to improve their home’s energy performance with the overall goal of reducing the number of Merton and Lambeth residents who live in fuel poverty?

Are you looking for a role with a professional, supportive and expanding advice charity with over 80 years of experience working in South West London?

If so please read on:

Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML) is the leading advice charity supporting individuals and families across the London boroughs of Lambeth, Merton but also wider London. We provide a range of information, support and advice services. We also work to raise awareness and understanding of the challenging issues affecting our clients and communities.

Owing to charity expansion, we are looking for advisers with experience in providing energy advice. If you have at least one year’s experience of working in an advice support organisation, are passionate about supporting individuals and families in need and interested in joining a dedicated, professional team we would love to hear from you.

The successful candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexibly with clients and for the charity skills and experience to provide high quality energy information and advice. You will be meticulous in your work, especially when supporting clients and maintaining case records for continuity of follow up advice and casework. You will also be very well informed with regard to legislation, case law and policy changes relating to advice and benefits.

You will help clients to maximise their income, provide education around energy-saving techniques and support with energy debt issues including billing, applying for grants and setting up payment plans.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive energy advice directly to clients via face to face and telephone appointments
• Ensure income maximisation for clients through the take up of appropriate welfare benefits.
• Commit to ongoing training/development as requested by the charity
• Use your interpersonal skills to explore, listen and understand complex problems as they affect each individual and tailor your approach to advice accordingly
• 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 to own initiative within a team environment. Work closely with service colleagues and wider CAML team
• Support clients in CAML offices and outreach venues
• Promote the Energy Advice Service within the local community

Monitoring Quality and Case Recording

• Ensure all client engagement and support is comprehensively and accurately recorded
• Review your work, and monitor quality standards, as per the Citizens Advice quality framework
• Ensure data protection regulations are adhered to and office procedures followed
• Work with your line manager and senior managers to develop and improve services, and your own standards

Other Duties and Responsibilities

With the wider charity team and other organisations, ensure clients are supported with related advice issues

Ensure all work is fully compliant with our policies and procedures and Citizens Advice Quality Standard

• Assist and contribute to the charity’s communications, research and campaigns work

• Maintain positive working relations with our stakeholders

• Professionally represent Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth

• Other duties as requested by your line manager, senior manager and Chief Executive

Research and campaigns

Support the R&C team on any campaigns the team is working on.

Professional Development

All of our team receive comprehensive induction to the charity and our work. We support Advisers in their professional development to ensure we’re up to date with recent legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to benefits and debt and undertake appropriate training as agreed with your line manager.

Person Specification

•  Generalist Adviser certificate (Citizens Advice or equivalent)

• Complete NEA Energy Awareness (Level 3) or relevant energy training or willing to complete it together with relevant energy/advice trainings

• An understanding of the energy sector and providing advice to Clients, including those in financial difficulty

• Experience of using client management databases (we use Casebook)

• Fantastic communication skills

• Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and manage caseload

• IT competency and experience

• Ability and willingness to work as a team

• Understanding of and commitment to the aims, principles and values of Citizens Advice service

This job description and personal specification does not form part of any contract.

If you’re interested in the role and joining us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please follow the link to our website to read the full job description and find out how to apply.

The deadline for applications is 6pm, Sunday 17th November 2024. 

If you do not hear from us, we are afraid your application was unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and store.

Closing date for applications: 9th December 2024

Interviews: ongoing interviews until appointing

Citizens Advice Hounslow is a well-established charity operating in the London Borough of Hounslow, supporting over 15,000 clients a year. We have an exciting new opportunity in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide welfare advice to support to people affected by cancer and those who care for them. 

This post is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and is aimed at assisting clients on the phone and in person from our offices and outreach venues including local hospitals.

Role purpose:

To provide welfare benefits advice, casework, and assistance in accessing other financial sources, to maximise the income of those living with cancer, their families, and carers. This may include disability benefits and other sources of financial support such as grants and help with health and travel costs.

Training

Successful post holders who are new to cancer, will be provided with Macmillan specific welfare benefits community of practice and learning opportunities once in post.

Delivery locations

A key aspect of the project is to deliver an outreach service at the West Middlesex Hospital, our offices in Hounslow and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, with regular sessions to be covered by the team of advisers. Clients will also be seen in person for appointments at our offices, while telephone advice and video appointments can be done working remotely.

Main responsibilities

• To provide welfare benefits advice, casework, and assistance in accessing other financial sources to maximise the income of those living with cancer, their families, and carers.
• Assist clients to challenge benefits decisions.
• Liaise and negotiate with other statutory and voluntary organisations to progress the client’s case and ensure they receive all assistance available.
• Achieve good outcomes for clients by helping them access benefits, grants, discretionary payments, schemes and discounts.
• Maintain detailed electronic case records and other data for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Make internal referrals or signpost clients to other organisations as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the Macmillan service, including housing, debt, and employment.
• Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills so that clients feel able to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
• Collaborate with managers and colleagues to ensure the promotion, development and good working of the Macmillan project. 

For more information about the role and the criteria to apply for the post, please download the Job Description and Person Specification from our website via the apply button.

Please note:  we are unable to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted. We reserve the right to close this vacancy as soon it has been filled, therefore if you are interested please submit your application as early as possible.

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, pension contribution, and training and opportunities to continue your professional development.

We consider applications from all applicants who meet the person specification irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age, or disability.

About the Role

Citizens Advice Liverpool in partnership with Citizens Advice St Helens and Citizens Advice Warrington are delivering a Welfare Benefits, Debt and Budgeting Advisory Service to Torus Housing tenants.

The Welfare Benefits Caseworker is responsible for delivering a comprehensive Welfare Benefits Advisory Service to individuals and families in need. The caseworker will provide support and guidance to clients in understanding and accessing welfare benefits, ensuring they receive the appropriate financial assistance and support, including support with welfare benefits mandatory considerations, and appeals. The role requires a thorough understanding of welfare benefits regulations and policies, excellent communication and advocacy skills, and a strong commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and communities.

Requirements

1. Knowledge and experience of the benefits systems, including minimum of 12 months experience of carrying out welfare benefits advice
2. Basic knowledge of multiple general enquiry areas to aid with identifying emergencies and making referrals where appropriate
3. Experience of providing multi-channel advice
4. Ability to use sensitive listening and questioning skills to get to the root of the issues and empower clients, whilst maintaining structure and control of meetings with them
5. Ability to interpret complex information and convey it in a way that is understandable to clients.
6. Good ICT knowledge with an ability to support clients with their online claim application
7. Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with a range of partnership organisations to support Torus Foundation tenants.
8. Assist with research and campaigns works by providing information about clients’ circumstances
9. Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.
10. Ability to meet high targets and excel against objectives.
11. Ability and willingness to work both on own initiative and as part of a team.

About us

Citizens Advice Liverpool is a charity that provides free, confidential and impartial advice to people who live and work in the city. We depend on a workforce of paid staff and over 120 trained volunteers. We give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. We are the leading provider of advice and advocacy services in Liverpool and have helped clients with over 106,000 issues in 2022/2023.

CAL have achieved accreditation with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, showing we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our workforce. We've also gained an award for outstanding contribution by an employer to workplace health and wellbeing 2022 by Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust.

We've gained awards from Citizens Advice National recognising our Advising Margainalised Communities Team for championing equity, diversity and inclusion in both 2021 and 2021. We were also named volunteer team of the year in 2022.

As well as a competitive salary CAL also provides access to:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Hybrid Working Scheme

• Interest free travel loans

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Pension Scheme

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Lifestyles Gym Membership (20% corporate discount)

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay

Department: Witness Service - National

Location: Witness Service South - Cornwall

Location: Truro Crown Court, Truro Magistrates Court, Bodmin Magistrates Court .

Travel away from your base expenses reimbursed. 

This role is a job share. 

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a difference, every single day, to people from all walks of life? The people that turn to Citizens Advice need help overcoming an obstacle in their lives – from debt to evictions to trouble at work – and you can be key to them getting the support they need in the quickest, easiest, and most effective way.

About us 
The Witness Service has over 260 staff and 3000 volunteers and offers free, independent, impartial and confidential support and information to 15,000 witnesses each month to give evidence in every criminal court in England and Wales.

Last year, Citizens Advice helped 2.6 million people face-to-face, by phone, email and webchat, and we received 25 million visits to our digital advice content. We solve 7 in 10 clients' problems, and 4 in 5 tell us that advice improved their lives.

The Role
As Team Leader (Court Services) you will be in a crucial role, responsible for the effective delivery of the Witness Service within your court/s.

You will manage, motivate and develop a team of volunteers who support witnesses in their journey through the criminal justice system.

You will also develop and maintain key local stakeholder relationships with a view to promoting partnership working, and enhancing service delivery standards and effectiveness.

Who we are looking for
We look for people to help us improve and transform our organisation. We can offer you the opportunity to make a genuine impact and create lasting change within an organisation that makes a difference in the lives of millions of people every year.

Are you an experienced manager of staff or volunteers looking for a new opportunity? We are looking for someone who is a great motivator and thrives on leading teams to deliver positive outcomes.  

We are looking for someone with excellent management and communication skills, who can adapt to and manage change. Experience of working to agreed targets is essential for this role along with working to tight deadlines.  

If you would like to apply for the role please demonstrate the following criteria in your cv and cover letter:

1. Proven experience of effectively managing and developing performance of a team of volunteers and/or staff, including recruitment, and supporting staff and/or volunteers in dealing with difficult situations.

2. Proven experience of monitoring and maintaining service delivery of a team against agreed targets, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing change to achieve this improvement, through effective strategic planning

3. Evidence of having built and developed effective and beneficial working relationships with external and internal stakeholders.

This post is subject to enhanced vetting and barring check. Some roles may require a Counter Terrorist Check.

The National Citizens Advice Operates from offices in England and Wales, with 4 regional offices based in Cardiff, London, Birmingham and Leeds, therefore all successful applicants must be based within England or Wales.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is of strategic importance within the organisation and recognised as integral to all we do as a service. Central to pursuing our EDI mission is building diverse and inclusive teams in which everyone has a sense of belonging. We believe inclusion is a social justice issue - a principle that underpins all our EDI work. To that end, we particularly welcome applications from people we would like to see better represented in our organisation and sector - people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. We follow the social model of disability. We will offer an interview to disabled candidates who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.

Please be aware that Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. Therefore the successful applicant must already possess the right to work in the UK or be able to secure the right to work in the UK independently.

Citizens Advice seeks to redeploy internal staff who are at risk or under notice of redundancy and will prioritise them in the recruitment process where necessary. If you have been confirmed as at risk or under notice of redundancy please ensure you indicate this in the at-risk box in your application.

Please note, in the event of a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the application early.

This vacancy closes at 23.59 on the closing date.

• Location: Bootle, Sefton, Merseyside
• Salary: £26,335
• Hours: 35 hours (part-time can be negotiated)
• Contract type: 12 months initially, then dependant on continuation funding
• Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays (part time pro-rata)
• Office hours: 9am – 5pm Mon-Fri
• Pension: 7% (If you pay at least 1% salary contribution into the stakeholder scheme we will top this up to the required 8%)

This role offers the unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals facing challenges, providing them with the guidance, support, and tools they need to navigate complex issues.

We are looking for an experienced adviser to join our existing team of passionate and dedicated advisers, caseworkers and financial capability workers to help people in Sefton with the problems they face.

The adviser will work in Bootle, providing general advice Sefton residents with mental health issues working in partnership with the Community Mental Health Teams and Mental Health Navigators in Sefton CVS. 

Welfare benefits and universal credit are the dominant areas of advice needed, and the adviser will work closely with welfare rights, housing and money advice teams in Citizens Advice Sefton.

Empowering clients to understand and manage their situation is key, as is working with partner agencies and organisations to broaden access to our services and ensure holistic support. Your involvement will also extend to advocating for change based on client experiences and actively participating in the evolution of our services to meet emerging needs. Through your efforts, you will not only assist individuals in immediate need but also contribute to broader systemic improvements, enhancing our advice services for the future.

What we offer to our staff

• A contribution of 7% of your salary into a Stakeholder Pension
• Consideration for Hybrid working options
• Professional and advice sector recognised training
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free VDU eye care test
• Employee Assistance Programme

Please note: Closing date for applications: Sunday 24th November 2024 at 11.59pm

In-person or online interviews to be held on: Thursday 28th November 2024.

We are currently offering a rewarding opportunity for a motivated and proactive self-starter to join our friendly and dynamic team.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:

• Friendly team and working environment
• Mix of remote and office-based work
• Annual leave starts at 26 days increasing to 31 days plus bank holidays 
• Contributory company pension,
• Ongoing training and development opportunities 
• Employee assistance program.

Our Charity:

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times.

Welfare Benefits Advisor

Salary: £35,000

Full Time (35 hours per week)

Are you passionate about supporting carers and making a real impact in their lives? We're looking for a dedicated individual to join our busy team provide welfare benefit advice & guidance to those who need it most.

As the successful candidate, you'll bring your knowledge and expertise to provide vital support to Carers, with a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in welfare benefits and recent experience of managing a case load.

You will manage your own caseload while also providing mentoring and support to one trainee advisor. 

Your excellent communication skills will help you connect with and support carers, while your IT proficiency will enable you to provide effective, efficient assistance.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Providing advice & advocacy on welfare benefits and housing. 
• Managing your own case load
• Offering guidance and support to colleagues 
• Maintaining accurate case records, adhering to AQS standards. 

Essential Requirements:

• Experience of providing benefits advice, guidance and support
• Experience of managing a case load
• Experience of representing clients with external bodies / organisations
• Experience of supporting with benefit appeals through to tribunal stage.
• Knowledge of or ability to understand and use relevant legislation.
• Ability to work across the borough and provide home visits

If you're committed to working in the voluntary sector and want to be part of a dynamic team that makes a real difference, this role is for you!

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer, committed to the continued development of a diverse workforce.

.

Closing date for applications: 9th December 2024

Interviews: ongoing interviews until appointing   

Citizens Advice Hounslow is a well-established charity operating in the London Borough of Hounslow, supporting over 15,000 clients a year. Working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, we have a new exciting opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits adviser to support to people affected by cancer and those who care for them. 

Role purpose:

• The Lead Welfare Benefits Adviser will lead and work with a team of advisers to provide welfare benefits advice, advocacy and casework for people living with cancer, their families and carers.
• The post holder will undertake casework to challenge benefit decisions including appeals, acting on behalf of clients where appropriate.
• The post holder will supervise and support the team of advisers to ensure their advice and information is effective and that clients’ incomes are maximised through benefits, grants, etc.

Training

Successful post holders who are new to cancer, will be provided with Macmillan specific welfare benefits community of practice and learning opportunities once in post.

Delivery locations

A key aspect of the project is to deliver an outreach service at the West Middlesex Hospital, our offices in Hounslow and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, with regular sessions to be covered by the team of advisers. Clients will also be seen in person at appointments at our offices, while telephone advice and video appointments can be done working remotely.

Main Responsibilities

• To provide welfare benefits advice and casework to people living with cancer, their families, and carers.
• Assist clients to challenge benefits decisions, including appeals.
• Liaise and negotiate with other statutory and voluntary organisations to progress the client’s case and ensure they receive all assistance available.
• Achieve good outcomes for clients through advocacy and negotiation.
• Lead and support a small team of advisers to ensure they work effectively
• Maintain detailed electronic case records and other data for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval and statistical monitoring and report preparation.
• Make internal referrals or signpost clients as appropriate for specialist help with issues that fall outside the remit of the Macmillan service, including housing, debt, and employment.
• Interview clients using sensitive listening and questioning skills so that clients feel able to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.

For more information about the role and the criteria to apply for the post, please download the Job Description and Person Specification from our website via the apply button

Please note:  we are unable to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted. We reserve the right to close this vacancy as soon it has been filled, therefore if you are interested please submit your application as early as possible.

We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, pension contribution, and training and opportunities to continue your professional development

Hours: 20 hours per week – Monday to Friday

Citizens Advice Milton Keynes is a local charity that helps people to resolve their legal, money and personal problems. We have been providing free, confidential, and impartial advice since 1972 and helped over 8000 local people last year.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and confident person to join us in delivering a new project based in local GP Surgeries. The ideal candidate will provide a Social Prescribing Link Worker service, to patients of Ascent Primary Care Network (Ascent PCN) in Milton Keynes, working to support patients and staff at each of their 3 medical centres across the area.

The Link Worker will take referrals from the PCN’s practices, and from a wide range of external agencies, and through self-referrals. They’ll work with people to identify issues that affect their health and wellbeing and co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan that connects them to non-medical community-based activities, groups and services that meet practical, social, and emotional needs.

This is a challenging role, managing a demanding caseload, working to strict quality standards and playing a full part in multi-disciplinary team of health and social care professionals. Successful candidates will be able to ensure that all work is compliant with our contract funder – Ascent PCN, and Citizens Advice standards.

Applicants need to be –

• Computer-literate, although training on our case recording systems will be given.
• Able to travel between each of the 3 surgeries in Milton Keynes.
• Confident in working to performance targets.
• Able to show good communications skills, both written and verbal. These are essential in the role, as are excellent customer service skills with a non-judgemental approach.
• Prepared to work independently and from a variety of community-based locations.

A minimum of 12 months’ experience in a social prescribing role or an agency providing advice, support and signposting (or similar setting) is desirable.

The successful Applicant/s will be asked to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Closing date: Thursday 6 December 2024Interviews:To be confirmed in December 2024

Please note interviews will be held face to face in Acorn House

Context of role

Citizens Advice Birmingham is partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support to deliver Welfare Benefit Advice across Birmingham and Solihull

We are looking for enthusiastic caseworkers who will join an existing team to ensure delivery of service specifications, targets and quality standards for the Macmillan Service

Role purpose

The Welfare Benefit caseworker will provide a high quality advice service for people affected by cancer.

The post holder will provide this service in outreach settings across Birmingham and Solihull. Delivery will be integrated within cancer care teams, to provide seamless referral pathways that complement the assessment and care planning process of patients. 

You will undertake casework, assisting clients to access their entitlement to welfare benefits and other sources of financial help, up to and including tribunal representation. The post holder will also attend events to promote the service and provide support and training to volunteers and health care professionals.

Previous applicants need not apply

Closing Date:  Monday 9th December 2024 at midday

Interview Date: Monday 16th December 2024

• 8.5% pension contribution after successful completion of probation period
• Open to part-time, job-share, and flexible working

Location: Our offices in Battersea Library or Roehampton and outreach locations including hospital settings. Home working possible following induction and initial training

About us

We’re a thriving advice organisation that is part of the national Citizens Advice network. Our services are delivered by a team of around 40 paid staff and 60 volunteers. We have a typical annual turnover of £2 million and in addition to our core advice service, funded by Wandsworth Council, we have a range of projects funded by trusts, foundations and our local Integrated Care System.

While we’re proud of the number of residents we support, we know that we can’t meet demand for advice and that marginalised communities don’t always come to established organisations for support. Because of this, we place equal value on improving reach and access through creative collaboration with equity-led organisations, partnership development and capacity building.

Why we need you

The Caseworker (Health Projects) role involves working across our Patient Welfare Advice Service (PWAS), which takes referrals from GPs and social prescribers, and our Macmillan Benefits Advice Service, which supports people affected by cancer. Our caseworkers help people navigate complex problems and find practical solutions. They have good technical knowledge of the social welfare issues that matter most to our clients and are responsible for delivering advice with a moderate level of supervision. They also have responsibility for managing incoming referrals and maintaining positive relationships with project partners. This is an advice role that involve providing casework support and could full-time role or two part time roles, which we’re happy to discuss following interviews.

If you don’t meet all the requirements of the person specification, we’ll consider offering this role at a lower salary range (Adviser rather than Caseworker), as it could be a could development opportunity for someone who wants to progress into a caseworker role.

Why you should join us

We’re a dynamic organisation with a culture of quality and innovation. We’re ambitious about delivering advice services that make a real difference to local people and being a great place to work and volunteer. You’ll be part of a diverse and friendly team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about helping the people who need us most. Working with us means seeing yourself and your colleagues have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary people and protecting our communities from hardship, poverty and crisis.

We also believe that investing in and listening to our teams makes us a better organisation. We involve staff and volunteers extensively in the design and delivery of our services, as well as in long-term planning. You’ll benefit from working at an organisation with a strong commitment to professional development and continuous training – we’re proud of our teams and in return offer excellent opportunities for personal development and career growth.

Our commitment to EDI

We’re passionate about promoting equity, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people but particularly people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and people with disabilities, as these groups are currently under-represented in our team.

Closing date: 10am on 6 December 2024
Interviews: 16 and 17 December 2024, Battersea Library, SW11 1JB

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for an Employment Coach to join our team on a 12 month FTC.

You'll support the digital transformation of the employability service by developing new and innovative ways to share information, advice and guidance with candidates. Initially this will take the format of webinars, workshops, web pages and short-form video content and has the capacity to grow and change as the digital strategy progresses.

You'll work closely with colleagues to deliver on the wider aims of the employability service by supporting the delivery of information, advice and guidance to autistic young people aged 18-25. You'll support autistic candidates to secure paid internships, apprenticeships and employment, supporting an online community of candidates to ensure that Employ Autism activities are guided by candidates' needs and wants.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Specialist knowledge of delivering employment information, advice and guidance on a one-to-one and group basis.
• Experience of working with autistic young people to provide information, advice and guidance.
• Knowledge of recruitment and employability barriers for autistic young people.
• Experience of delivering individual and group activities such as one-to-one meetings, webinars and workshops through online/remote delivery.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.