Money Advice Caseworker at Citizens Advice

Part time: 18.5hrs / week

Salary: £24,409 pro-rata

Closing date: 20th November

KEY WORK AREAS:

Casework

Interview clients and advise them of their rights and responsibilities.
Explore options and implications to enable clients to make informed decisions.
Ensure income maximisation through the take up of appropriate benefits.
Prepare financial statements and make offers to creditors.
Negotiate with third parties on behalf of clients.
Liaise with referral agencies, including health professionals.
Advocate for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters, telephoning and making grant applications.
Assist clients with other related problems which are an integral part of their case and refer to other advisers or agencies as appropriate.
Prepare necessary paperwork and present cases to the relevant statutory bodies, tribunals and courts as appropriate.
Maintain clear and accurate case records.
Provide statistical information as required.
Ensure that all work conforms to the Citizens Advice systems and procedures.
Manage and maintain referral pathways from internal sources and external stakeholders, including local authority departments.
Ensure casework activities meet the expectations set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Research & Campaigns

Assist with research & campaigns work, by identifying and reporting unfair and emerging issues.
Alert other staff to local and national issues.

Professional Development

Undertake appropriate training, including continuing professional development for the money advice qualification you will hold.
Keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to money advice & relevant housing law.
Read relevant publications.
Prepare for and attend supervision sessions/team meetings, management team meetings as appropriate.

Administration

Confident use of Microsoft Office applications and case management databases.
Keep up to date with policies and procedures relevant to bureau work and undertake appropriate training.

Other duties and responsibilities

Demonstrate commitment to the aims and policies of the Citizens Advice service.
Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.

Person specification

Essential:

Understanding and commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice and its equal opportunities policy.
Be highly numerate.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a particular emphasis on negotiation and representation.
Ability to work in a sensitive, enabling and non-judgemental way with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Flexible approach and willingness to work as part of a team.
Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise own work, meet deadlines and manage caseload.
Produce statistical data as requested to meet funding specifications.
Ability to research, identify options and present complex information to clients, some of whom may have mental and physical health issues.
Confident use of Microsoft Office applications and case management databases.
Ability to work on own initiative and to be self-servicing with administrative tasks.
Commitment to continuing professional development.

Desirable:

Trained Citizens Advice adviser with at least 2 years’ experience or ability to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of Citizens Advice processes.
Authorised Debt Relief Order (DRO) Intermediary or be able and willing to train to become an authorised DRO Intermediary.
An understanding of insolvency legislation and processes.
The holding of the IMA Certificate in Money Advice Practice (CertMAP).
Confident use of benefit checking applications.
Experience delivering financial capability initiatives

Application: Please send CV and cover letter to servicemanager@lewesdistrictca.org.uk by 20th November 2023