Trainee Money & Debt Specialist Adviser

About the role

This is an opportunity to begin a career in the money and debt advice sector providing life changing help for those struggling with money worries. This is a rewarding role supporting people in Somerset through providing them with money, debt, budgeting and income maximisation advice.

Qualifications

Trained through the industry qualification programme (paid for by us) and mentored by our experienced debt caseworkers you will learn from the very best. Training will run for a 12-month period, during this time you will complete the taught modules, shadow debt advice sessions, assist debt caseworkers and move into supervised debt advice when ready.

Skills

Successful debt specialists are confident, empathetic and exceptionally good at working to very high standards of accuracy and detail.

Responsibilities

• Work within the ethos and values of Citizens Advice Somerset.
• Develop positive, trusting and professional relationships with clients, colleagues, partners and external agencies.
• Provide peer support and guidance to other less experienced staff and volunteers.
• Provide money advice and casework (once trained) covering the full range of debt advice topics including priority and non-priority debt and money advice issues.
• Assist clients with related issues integral to their debt case such as welfare benefits advice, housing, other financial matters and income maximisation (incorporates applications for grants and other welfare schemes).
• Where appropriate undertake negotiations with clients’ creditors and other relevant bodies and/or act for the client by drafting or writing letters and telephoning and negotiating with third parties as necessary.
• Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies and courts as required including DRO, Breathing Space and bankruptcy applications.
• Maintain timely, accurate and detailed case records and adhere to administration systems.
• Identify and take-up research and campaigns issues, of both local and national importance.
• Provide reports periodically to the Service Manager and trustee board.
• Commit to regular mentoring and other training updates to maintain and develop your knowledge and skills in accordance with the Citizens Advice standards of practice.