Vacancies

Money Advice Case Worker (Starting January 2020)

[Posted 29/11/19] – Applications close noon 13th December 2019

Salary: £25,5000 p.a.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Pension: 5% employee / 3% employer contributions
Annual Leave: 27 days per annum plus statutory Bank Holidays
Tenure: 2 year fixed term contract (Jan 2020 to Jan 2022)
Responsible to: Head of the Money Advice Service

Role Purpose:

The Money Advice Case Worker will support clients who access the Money Advice Service Team. The primary purpose of the Advice Service is to support residents of Castle Vale and the wider Birmingham area at various outreach venues throughout the city.

The Post holder will assist the Advice Service in carrying out the following: –

• an efficient welfare benefits and debt advice service
• participation in social policy on a local, national and level
• the efficient working of Advice Service Administrative systems

Background information:

Spitfire Advice & Support Services (Birmingham) Limited is not-for-profit organisation that exists to provide help, information and support for clients of the most excluded communities in North and North East of Birmingham.

Since 1995 Spitfire Services (formerly Castle Vale TRA) has been working with communities that sit on the margins of society and people who are socially isolated for a number of reasons. We are funded from a variety of sources; including Birmingham City Council, Castle Vale Community Housing, HS2 and The Big Lottery. This funding enables the delivery of a number of projects that support our client’s including our Money Advice and Financial inclusion programmes.

We also provide support for voluntary and community groups and volunteers through the work of the Development Agency.

Spitfire Advice & Support Services is so much more than a “drop in advice centre”; it is also the heart of the community it works to serve. The phrase ‘community anchor organisation’ has been used freely and by many, however this phrase really does best describe what we do: “Help When You Need It” this is a huge part of what we are all about.

Our Money Advice Caseworkers’ support clients who are affected by welfare reforms and have complex welfare benefits and debt issues. The appointee will need to have extensive experience of Legal Services Commission casework in the context of the Advice Quality Standard, and will have worked in a target driven environment but will understand that people are our top priority.

Key accountabilities/job purpose:

1. Service delivery:

a) Responsible for the delivery of our Money Advice casework (benefit and debt) service as part of the Money Advice Support Service Team.

b) The delivery to AQS (Advice Quality Standard) of the core Money Advice (Benefit and Debt casework).

c) The provision of advocacy and court representation as and when needed by users of the service.

d) The support, with other team members, of the delivery of the service on an outreach basis.

e) Attention to targets to ensure that we meet all our contractual obligations.

f) Working unsociable hours as and when required to meet the needs of our clients.

g) The collection and compilation of relevant data for monitoring purposes in line with AQS standards.

h) The promotion of the project through one to one contact with clients, including:

i. One to one client engagement.
ii. Supporting the delivery of the out of hour’s money advice service.

i) The maintenance of records and other data ensuring that they are up to date and accurate.

j) The support of the delivery of Money Advice sessions via trained volunteers.

k) Ensuring that all confidential information is handled in line with the company’s Confidentiality Policy and GDPR Policy.

l) Carrying out other tasks as requested by the Head of Advice Service in support of the delivery of the project.

m) The implementation and maintenance of the systems and procedures.

2. Key Results:

a) Targets will be output based and as required by the specific project funder

b) Targets will be agreed and reviewed at supervisions

3. Policies and procedures

a) All staff are expected to work cooperatively with colleagues including offering support and advice and contributing to the development, induction and training of staff and volunteers.

b) All staff are expected to work with a view to achieving best value in all areas of work.

c) To work at all times in accordance with, and to assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures appropriate to Spitfire Services and its Board Members.

d) To work at all times with due consideration to the Health and Safety of self and others in accordance with the Spitfire Services Policies.

e) To work at all times in line with Spitfire Services commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity for staff, volunteers and service users.

f) Responsible for maintaining confidentiality concerning all information relating to staff, volunteers, service users and funders.

4. Other:

a) To undertake training and attend team and other meetings as required.

b) To demonstrate a commitment to the aims, objectives and work of Spitfire Services.

c) To carry out any other duties commensurate with the post as required by Spitfire Services

Person specification

ESSENTIAL

1. Experience applicants should be able to demonstrate:

a) Experience of advice and advocacy in relation to Money Advice, Welfare Benefits and debt issues.

b) Experience of delivering money, welfare benefits and debt advice in a community setting.

c) Solid knowledge of the law in relation to Money Advice, Welfare Benefits and Debt

2. Specialist knowledge:

a) An awareness of the work of Spitfire Services or similar charitable organisation.

b) Proven experience of delivering Money, Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice

c) Proven knowledge of the Law in relation to Welfare Benefits.

d) Good knowledge of tribunal procedures.

e) Experience of work in a CAB or similar environment

3. Education/Training and Qualifications:

a) Educated to degree or equivalent level in a relevant field and/or a Money Advice Qualification (IMA qualified with recent GGDA training).

b) Proven ability to use IT packages including MS Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook

c) Qualification in advice or advocacy.

4. Communication/interpersonal skills:

a) Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and listening skills with ability to communicate with a range of audiences, professionals and colleagues and must demonstrate a confident manner in all mediums.

b) Proven organisational skills including a systematic approach to work, an ability to use own initiative, prioritise, work under pressure and to meet deadlines.

c) Ability to work sensitively with a willingness to be pro-active and work flexibly and creatively with colleagues and as part of a team.

d) A good understanding of the importance and an ability to establish good working relationships with professionals, colleagues and funders.

5. Equality and diversity:

a) A high level of awareness, understanding and commitment to the principles of good practice in relation to equality and diversity.

DESIRABLE

1. General:

a) Familiarity with using a computer database

b) Experience of delivering Debt & Benefit training would be an advantage

c) Experience of working in the voluntary sector

d) Experience of Advice and Advocacy work in a similar setting.

Review

This Job Description will be reviewed with the post holder at the annual appraisal. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the tasks the post holder will undertake and the post holder may be required to carry out additional tasks as required by the needs of the Money Advice Service Team.