Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau (GNWCAB) is an independent charity founded in 1981.

Our mission is to end poverty and inequality by ensuring that people from all backgrounds are empowered through access to advice and support that helps them affect positive change in their lives and the lives of those around them.

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. We recognise the value of our staff and this is reflected in our positive working environment. Staff benefit from family friendly policies, blended working and a commitment to personal development. It is a supportive and happy working environment that enables you to make a positive contribution to the lives of the clients we work with.

About the job

This is a new and exciting project as we extend the work we do in health care settings. A partnership between Glasgow North West and Greater Pollok CAB, we are looking to recruit an experienced adviser to deliver advice to patients of Stobhill and New Victoria Hospitals in Glasgow.

In direct response to demand, the new project will provide both an outreach service located in the Support and Information Service space within each hospital, as well as a direct referral pathway between NHS partners and the CABx to allow patients to access support using a method that best suits their needs. As a brand-new project, the candidate will be empowered and supported to develop partnerships with the relevant NHS teams and help design the service.

The focus will be on the people who may be in financial crisis, the reduction of poverty and supporting clients to have more control over their finances. The successful applicant will work with appropriate clients and with a number of partner agencies including health care professionals to ensure the provision of a high quality holistic and comprehensive financial inclusion and income maximisation service. The candidate will apply their skills and knowledge in a compassionate, non-judgemental manner to ensure the client receives quality advice and is empowered to improve their circumstances.

For more details about the key responsibilities of the role and knowledge, skills and experience required, please refer to the job description and person specification. If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role we are happy to accommodate this.

Job description

We are looking for client-focused individuals with experience of providing income maximisation as part of overall holistic advice and support. In this role you will see clients in person, as well as providing advice via telephony, email and digital channels ensuring clients they get the advice, information and support needed.

To succeed, you will need relevant experience and knowledge of current welfare benefits together with the ability to analyse the client’s overall financial position and offer early intervention advice and support.

There will be strong emphasis on team working and the ability to work effectively and closely with other agencies and health care professionals.

You will have strong oral and written communication skills. We are also looking for a proven ability to work effectively and well organised. Proficiency in using a range of IT tools to carry out your work, including case management systems, benefit calculators, online forms and Microsoft Office applications is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• To conduct in person, telephone, web chat and video call interviews, using sensitive listening and questioning skills to allow clients to explain their problem(s) and empower them to set their own priorities.
• To explore clients’ circumstances, support needs and access channel preferences considering language barriers, accessibility needs, and issues around digital access and ability.
• To build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• To deliver outreach advice services in NHS settings.
• To work patiently and tactfully in a non-judgemental manner with protected adults to build their trust and engagement in the work.
• To develop formal links with other support agencies that could provide support for clients to further better their circumstances.
• To liaise where appropriate with bureau staff and other relevant agencies as appropriate.
• To record, update and maintain information on a case management system for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.
• To ensure that all work meets quality standards and the requirements of the funder.
• To remain up to date with all relevant legislation and practice in relation to welfare benefits, debt, immigration, housing.
• To adhere to all GDPR requirements and CAB policies.
• To provide regular reports on the functioning of the work as well as progress and learning achieved.
• To work to Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice giving and Citizens Advice Scotland Quality Advice Framework.
• To liaise, communicate with and be operationally responsible to the Operations Manager.

The above job description is not exhaustive and is clarified to include broad duties inherent in the post as reasonable requested by the bureau manager.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of delivering advice in welfare benefits, debt and energy.
• Understanding, maintaining and practising high standard of case recording requirements as according to the project specification, CAS quality assurance and Scottish National Standards.
• Ability to use telephony and IT systems to deliver services across multiple channels (web chat, telephony and video) via Avaya, Zoom, TEAMS and other systems.
• Experience of using a range of IT tools to carry out work, including case management systems, Microsoft Office, internet and email etc.
• Ability to work without supervision and prioritise workload.
• Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs.
• Experience of working with protected adults and ability to deal with issues sensitively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and accessible manner.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work across multiple teams and build effective stakeholder relationships quickly.
• Knowledge of a range of enquiry areas to aid with identifying emergencies.
• A commitment to the aims and principles of Citizens Advice Bureau.
• Ability to operate as a team player and communicate effectively with colleagues and managers.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to the set-up of a new service

Employee benefits

Glasgow North West CAB offers excellent terms and conditions, including a 4 day working week, a total of 35 days leave and a pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution. Glasgow North West CAB is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau is an equal opportunities employer.

Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid provides refuge accommodation, follow-on and outreach services to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour-based abuse primarily from the Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic Community.

We are recruiting a Women’s Domestic Abuse Community Worker to support women living in Glasgow’s Northeast and Northwest locality.

It is essential that you have experience of working with women who have experienced gender-based abuse. A suitable qualification that meets with Scottish Social Services Council housing support registration is required. The nature of our work requires a commitment to the feminist analysis of domestic abuse and to the values of Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid. It is essential that you are bilingual and speak English and Hindi, Punjabi, or Urdu.

Glasgow Women’s Aid provides information, support and temporary accommodation for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. We have refuge accommodation, follow on services and outreach services both for women and children across Glasgow.

The purpose of this role is to ensure that all of our sites are maintained to a good standard of repair and decoration. We have several refuge sites across Glasgow and you will be responsible for ensuring that maintenance work gets carried out. You will carry out minor DIY tasks yourself such as building flat pack furniture, fitting curtains and hanging pictures so that our properties are ready for families to move in. You will provide support where special cleans are required and ensure that there is adequate stock of everything we need to make refuge a home. This is a very busy role and the successful candidate will have great customer service skills and a proactive attitude. As we have several sites it is essential that you have a drivers license to drive our van.

The Supported Housing Worker role requires assisting in the management of the development thus ensuring the tenants are able to enjoy an acceptable standard of living in an environment which is clean, safe and friendly. You will be responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of the tenants and for assisting them in maintaining their independence.

As Housing Care Worker your role will involve working with our tenants to ensure they receive the support and personal care identified in their care plans. You will directly support tenants in their homes by providing individual advice, practical housing support assistance and personal care.

Both roles are to ensure that we are able to offer the best service to our tenants and make it possible for our tenants to continue enjoying as much independent living as they’re able.

As well as a competitive annual salary, our valued team also benefits from:

• competitive hourly rates of £10.50 - £10.88 per hour
• guaranteed rota hours working between 7.30am & 10pm
• generous annual leave entitlement
• a choice of pension scheme with employer contributions
• flexible working policies
• access to extensive paid training and development opportunities
• a supportive and inclusive culture.

We also have opportunities with our Trust Staff Agency - for employees who want to work across different locations, in various roles, with highly flexible hours to suit family commitments - it's a great opportunity with the same training and development that our other roles benefit from.

Previous experience working in social care or the housing sector would be an advantage but this is not always necessary. Our ideal candidate is someone with enthusiasm, a caring nature and willingness to learn as full training, support and ongoing development will be provided.