We are looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated person to join our team. The Session Supervisor has day to day operational responsibility for the delivery of a high-quality generalist advice service within Airdrie Citizens Advice Bureau. The Session Supervisor is responsible that the quality of advice delivered is in line with the Scottish National Standards and Citizens Advice Scotland’s Membership standards.

This post also supports the learning and development of a high-quality service by providing formal training to volunteers and staff as and when required.

The successful applicant will be encouraged and supported in their personal development by the Bureau Manager.

Employee benefits

Airdrie Citizens Advice Bureau offers excellent terms and conditions and is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate. For more details of some of the other benefits on offer to our employees, please contact us for more information.

Core Duties

• Provide supervision and support for advice workers, particularly in relation to advice enquiries, CASTLE data entry and enquiry entry.
• Support advisers to produce accurate, legible and complete client records.
• Contribute to building and supervising an effective team, understanding the importance of continual improvement of the service.
• Undertake advice work as and when required.
• Implement effective Triage Service
• Support and maintain uniform advice standards and contribute to their development. Ensure that advice work undertaken complies with CAS Quality Audit standards, Scottish National Standards.
• Actively implement the Aims and Principles of the CAB service, together with its other policies.

Essential Criteria

• Delivery of advice and information services to clients.
• Ability to work without supervision
• Basic training skills
• Ability to deal with staff, volunteers and the public in a calm, caring and competent manner
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information
• Ability to prioritise own work and that of others, meet deadlines and manage workload in a pressured environment
• Ability to give and receive feedback objectively and sensitively and a willingness to challenge constructively

Desirable Criteria

• At least 2 years’ experience of supporting others in advice provision
• A working knowledge of CASTLE for the purpose of recording client cases
• Commitment to ongoing training
• Working within the voluntary sector
• Experience of supporting vulnerable clients

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.

The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is the largest independent advice service in the country. Citizens Advice Scotland is a charity within this network – we act as a national organisation supporting and representing the service as a whole and the interests of citizens. At the heart of the network there are 59 individual citizens advice bureau across Scotland, all operating as independent charities in their own right, which focus on providing support and advice directly to clients. Each of these organisations is a member of Citizens Advice Scotland. We believe that every citizen should have access to free, impartial and confidential advice that helps them make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however, they choose to access it.

The Digital Advice Content Team’s primary role is to provide digital advice content for Scotland. The successful candidate for this role will be:

• Comfortable using evidence, data and research to make the right content decisions
• Able to contribute to and use style guides and design patterns to produce consistent content
• Someone who puts user needs at the heart of their work, to make people's interactions with online content as simple and speedy as possible
• Experienced in evaluating current content strategies based on the results of user research and data for constant improvement of existing content
• Able to build relationships and work closely with policy, legal and other expert colleagues to make sure content is accurate and consistent
• Capable of promoting user-centred content design within the department and beyond
• Experienced in communicating in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact
• Encouraging the use of different communication methods, including digital resources, and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost-effectiveness
• Ensuring communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs
• Able to share information as appropriate and check understanding
• Someone who shows positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same
• Confident in ensuring that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests
• Alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area and new opportunities

This role offers you the opportunity to work at the heart of supporting Scotland's largest independent advice network and to make an invaluable contribution to the lives of people moving to or living in Scotland.

Occasional travel to the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices will be required.

Employee benefits

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions. We want our people to have a great work life balance and we have designed our working practices and benefits to support this. Here are some of things our employees benefit from: a 35-hour full time working week, 40 days annual leave, genuine flexibility in working hours with a flexi-time system, and blended/hybrid working opportunities for every role.

Citizens Advice Scotland is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and flexible working arrangements to support all our staff. We are also committed to equality of opportunity for all and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

CAS provides options for blended working to allow employees to balance their time attending the office with time working from home. The number of days you will be able to work from home each week will be dependent on your job role and can be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

The Cost of Living crisis is unprecedented in social history and continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of many Stirling citizens. The need for advice, information and crisis intervention support around money, debt, shortages of fuel and food is huge and continues to grow.

The Cost of Living Support Worker is responsible for supporting volunteer advisers deal with the increase in casework / demand due to Cost of Living drivers.

The post holder will increase volunteer advisors capacity to deal with cost of living driven enquiries & support the main Bureau volunteer led generalist service to deal with the increased volume of enquiries.

The post holder will act as support and mentor to both office-based and remotely enabled advice volunteers ensuring they have the necessary support to deal with enquires effectively and efficiently.

General Responsibilities

• To act as the main point of contact and mentor for all advice volunteers seeking casework/advice support on Cost of Living driven enquiries
• To support bureau based & remotely enabled volunteers to assist in the delivery of the core advice service.
• To provide advice support for remote & bureau based volunteer workers particularly in relation to complex/crisis Cost of Living crises driven client enquiries.
• Provide advice for maximising income & support volunteer advisers in the provision of advice & assist people maximise their income by accessing such support as is available to them (e.g. benefits and grants).
• Provide advice & support volunteer advisers in the provision of advice for managing debt. Helping people identify their options and strategies, enabling them to get control of their borrowings or removing the burden of debt entirely.
• To undertake supervisory roles within the office – e.g. 2nd tier technical support on complex Cost of Living driven enquiries
• To communicate frequently with volunteer advisers to ensure they are satisfied, well-placed and any concerns are addressed.
• To help ensure the purpose of the Stirling CAB, its actions, policies, procedures and the role of the volunteer is clearly communicated, understood and implemented.
• To help represent and present the views of volunteers and volunteering related matters to senior management.
• Help ensure that the required monthly CAB statistics are provided to the Deputy Manager
• To carry out any other reasonable task requested by CAB management or required by the Board of trustees.

Accountability

• Provide written reports to monthly supervision sessions with Deputy Manager
• Attend annual appraisal
• Attend Annual General Meeting and quarterly reviews of role with CEO