Debt Advisor

Debt Advisor

The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.

Scope of role

The Debt Advisor is responsible for providing comprehensive, video debt advice to prisoners across thirteen (13) HMPPS sites, tailored to their specific circumstances. This role involves conducting detailed interviews to understand clients’ financial problems, researching options, and helping clients make informed decisions. The advisor ensures income maximisation and provides ongoing casework support, acting on behalf of clients where necessary. Maintaining up-to-date case records and staying informed about relevant legislation, policies, and procedures are crucial aspects of the role. The Debt Advisor is also expected to complete continuous professional development and contribute to the team’s overall objectives by meeting targets, prioritising workloads, and demonstrating financial efficiency. The may also be required to attend meetings on-site at various prisons and host workshops for prisoners.

Key Responsibilities

Accurate, effective and individually tailored advice

• Interviewing those that access our service using sensitive listening and questioning skills to allow them to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
• Researching and exploring options and implications so that those accessing our service can make informed decisions.
• Providing in-depth quality advice and on-gong casework, including acting for the client where necessary using appropriate communication skills and channels.

Detailed case records

• Maintaining detailed case records, ensuring that all work meets all auditing and quality standards and the requirements of the funder.
• Ensuring all case records and written up in a timely manner.

Up-to-date training

• Completing a minimum of 16 hours/ equivalent of technical debt advice DPD accredited training or qualifying activity.
• Maintaining an up-to-date record of all training sessions.

Teamwork

• Work to an agreed work-plan, meeting targets and milestones, whilst prioritising and managing your own workload.
• Be an active member of the team, identifying opportunities for your own development, and demonstrating financial efficiency and value for money throughout your work.
• Compliance with Toynbee Hall policies and procedures, including health and safety.

Other

• Travel to HMPPS sites as required
• Undertake additional tasks as delegated by DFA Management

Please download the full Job Description for more details.

Our Benefits Package

We believe in supporting our employees with a well-rounded benefits package designed to enhance work-life balance, financial security, and overall well-being.

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years: +1 additional day.
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel

We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

We have recently launched a new strategic plan which reinforces that our purpose is to build a fairer future with an end to poverty, injustice and inequality.

We work towards this by:

• Addressing poverty and injustice through advice and support and influencing systemic change.
• Shifting power to people and communities affected by injustice and inequality.
• Collaborating to end poverty and build fairer systems and institutions. What we want to see in the world starts with our community and our organisation.

This means:

• Working together to build a thriving local community where people have the resources they need, feel their voices are heard and are optimistic about the future.
• Being a good employer, where people are treated fairly, feel engaged and empowered, and work together to achieve our shared vision.
• Acknowledging the role Toynbee Hall has historically played in civic society while recognising that our role now is to shift power, to be an effective partner, and to amplify voices that are less likely to be heard.

What we learn from our work in east London we use to inform and influence wider policy – working to influence change in structures, systems and policies.