Job Description

We reserve the right to close the post early if sufficient applications are received.

MAIN PURPOSE

You will improve the financial wellbeing of clients through checking that they are in receipt of the correct welfare benefits, identifying and making grant applications, and advising on other income maximisation options. You will help clients prepare a basic household budget and assist them in gathering up-to-date financial information in preparation for debt appointments (where applicable). You will also discuss energy efficiency with all clients in order to ensure that they can be as energy efficient as possible in their homes. You will work with each client over a period of time in order to help them to achieve these aims, directing to other services such as debt casework as and when needed.

Key Worker

Act as a main point of contact for allocated clients and assess their advice needs

Help clients identify goals and devise/review financial action plans

Follow up non-attendance, working with the client to remove any barriers

Assist clients to gather and submit information needed to progress their enquiries

Co-ordinate clients access to advice, ensuring they are prepared for both internal and external appointments

Liaise with external referral partners where appropriate

Income Maximisation Advice

Work with clients to prepare an initial budget and gather details of any debts

Carry out benefit checks and calculations to identify entitlement and help with applications for benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Identify grants, trust funds and social tariffs that the client may be eligible for and submit applications on the client\'s behalf

Explore other income maximization options with the client, including but not limited to Discretionary Housing Payments and the Household Support Fund

Issue food and fuel vouchers

Referrals

Refer into the Ask Us Wirral service for any general advice issues

Identify urgent debt advice needs and help clients to access debt casework

Follow up all referrals with clients to check that their advice needs continue to be met

Attach all client paperwork to the case recording system to aid internal referrals

Assist clients to make appointments with external organizations and help prepare for appointments e.g. specialist housing appointments.

Case Management

Maintain case records for the purpose of continuity of advice, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation

Evidence and record time spent with each client

Record outcomes for case management and reporting purposes, including details of financial gains

Other

Attend relevant internal and external meetings as needed.

Prepare for and attend one to ones/team meetings/staff meetings as appropriate.

Ensure GDPR compliant training is completed on an annual basis.

Ensure all work conforms to Citizens Advice Wirral\'s systems and procedures.

Adhere to the aims and policies of Citizens Advice.

Abide by health and safety guidelines and take steps to ensure your own safety and that of colleagues..

Recognise the importance of safeguarding procedures within the organisation ensuring that any concerns, disclosures or allegations of abuse are immediately and correctly reported.

To attend occasional out of hours events in conjunction with the work of Citizens Advice Wirral and participate in fund-raising activities.

Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

FINANCIAL WELLBEING KEYWORKER: Person Specification

Essential Criteria

1 Level 2 qualifications (GCSE or equivalent) in maths and English with the ability to complete a household budget, calculate benefits and accurately assess and record financial gains as well as write up accurate case notes, letters and reports.

2 Knowledge of the advice process and experience in the areas of either benefits or debt. Willingness to further develop knowledge in these areas and also in relation to financial capability.

3 Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients either face to face or on the phone, developing a professional relationship that enables them to fully engage with the project and develop their financial resilience.

4 Demonstrate an awareness of issues facing vulnerable clients, many with mental health problems.

5 Demonstrable experience of using a range of IT systems and packages confidently and competently.

6 Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage own workload and plan time efficiently to ensure deadlines are met.

7 Ability and willingness to work as part of a team and have a flexible approach to client needs. Flexibility to work out of hours if needed.

8 Willingness to uphold the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

9 Experience of assisting clients with grant applications.

Citizens Advice Wirral is part of the Disability Confident scheme. We\'re taking positive action by providing interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum skills for the role. We\'ll ask you whether you are eligible when you apply, so if you\'d like to be considered for this scheme, all you need to do is let us know in your application.

Citizens Advice Wirral