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Trainee Forest of Dean Foodbank Adviser

Forest of Dean

North & West Gloucestershire Citizens Advice are looking for an enthusiastic individual to
join our projects team and make a real difference to their community.

This is an opportunity for you to join an established charity that has an excellent reputation
for the provision of high-quality advice and is a great place to work. You’ll be part of a team
committed to working together and with partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes we
can for our clients.

If you do not have the experience for this role, we are considering trainees. We have a
training programme which will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to do
the role as well as a career opportunity which could lead to professional progression within
the service.

Please note, this job specification applies to fully trained adviser. Trainee will be working
towards gaining those qualification.

The role

Company Benefits: £25,000 - £28,783 (dependent on experience)
Pension: Contribution of 7% based on 4% employee contribution
Employee Assistance Scheme: Health Assured
Birthday Leave: Take a day to celebrate your annual personal milestone. This leave
does not form part of your annual leave entitlement.
Christmas Closure: Our office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s, and
these days won’t count towards your holiday entitlement.
Flexible Working Policy: Includes compressed hours, flexitime, homeworking/hybrid
FTE Salary: £24,684 - £26,743 (dependent on experience)
Hours: 37
Location: Forest of Dean
Application deadline: 17th December 2024
Interviews: Week commencing 6th January 2025

Role purpose

Referrals to the Foodbank in the Forest of Dean area have increased over the last
few years. This role is funded by Forest of Dean Foodbank to provide an advice service to foodbank clients who live in the Forest of Dean area. The service will ordinarily be delivered face to face at the foodbank with some home visit appointments if needed.

This role will be line managed by Citizens Advice but will also have progress reporting requirements to the Foodbank.

Role profile

Advice giving

➢ Interview clients using sensitive listening and empathetic questioning skills to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
➢ Adherence to all safeguarding and confidentiality processes and protocols as needed by both Citizens Advice and the Foodbank.
➢ Use the Citizens Advice AdviserNet website to find, interpret and communicate the relevant information.
➢ Research and explore options and implications so that clients can make informed decisions.
➢ Issue food vouchers to clients in accordance with Trussell Trust criteria and processes.
➢ Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.
➢ Negotiate with third parties such as statutory and non-statutory bodies as
appropriate.
➢ Ensure that all work conforms to the organisation’s office manual and the Advice Quality standard as appropriate and in accordance with the policies and practices of the Trussell Trust.
➢ Ensure that work reflects and supports the Citizens Advice service’s equality and diversity strategy.
➢ Maintain detailed case records using Casebook for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.

Research and Campaigns

➢ Assist with research and campaigns work by providing information as appropriate.
➢ Alert clients to research and campaign options.

Professional Development

➢ Keep up to date with legislation, policies and procedures and undertake
appropriate training.

Administration

➢ Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with Citizens Advice line manager.
➢ Attend progress meetings with Food Bank manager to keep communication open and update on issues, as needed.
➢ Prepare for and attend supervisor session/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate.
➢ Use IT for statistical recording of information relating to research and campaigns and funding requirements, record keeping and document production.
➢ Supply data to Forest of Dean Foodbank to meet their
project reporting requirements, in accordance with GDPR. This may include (but is not limited to) number of clients managed, geographical data, success rate and outcomes. Anonymised case studies will also be needed to support
reporting.
➢ Keep accurate timesheets, where required.
➢ Ensure all work conforms to the organisation’s systems and procedures.
Other
➢ Complete required training to comply with quality assurance processes.
➢ Keep up to date with changes related to generalist advice work.
➢ Carry out any task that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the
effective delivery and development of the service.

Person specification

1. The ability to commit to and work within, the aims, principles and policies of Citizens Advice service
2. Certificate in Generalist Advice work, or equivalent qualification or equivalent level of experience and skill.
3. Experience of 1-2-1 generalist advice, including Debt, Welfare rights, housing and employment advice
4. Sensitive listening and questioning skills to understand the needs of others and maintain professional non-judgemental attitude.
5. Experience of efficiently and effectively managing a mixed case load including closing cases in a timely manner.
6. Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise work, meet deadlines and deliver results.
7. Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
8. Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a diverse team.
9. Understanding of the issues affecting society and their implications for clients and service provision.
10. Ability to learn and use IT applications as required.

Desirable experience:

11. Recent experience of benefits advice giving in Citizens Advice or similar advice setting.
12. Ability to advise in debt and other social welfare issues.
13. A thorough understanding of the issues involved in interviewing and working with clients, and in particular vulnerable people.
14. Proven ability to work well in a busy, pressured environment, work as part of a team but also able to work without direct support and supervision at times.
15. Experience of explaining complex information to clients and checking accuracy of calculations.
16. Good understanding of social welfare law enquiry areas

Want to chat about this role?

If you want to chat about the role further, you can contact Penny Hulbert via details to the right of this advert.

Applying for this post

To apply for this post, please complete our application form, which can be found on our website, by clicking on Apply Now. Completed application forms should then be emailed to the email address to the right of this advert.

In accordance with Citizens Advice national policy, we may require the successful candidate to be screened by the DBS. However, a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to your being able to take up the job.

Salary: £25,000 - £28,783 (dependent on experience)

Hours Per Week: 37

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