The Volunteer Adviser role involves:  

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• Interviewing clients face to face or by telephone to identify the nature of their issue(s).

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• Providing advice and signposting to empower clients to resolve their own issue(s) where possible, making referrals to external agencies if appropriate.

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• Providing guidance on filling in forms, making telephone calls and completing online applications. 

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• Acting on behalf of clients where necessary by making telephone calls, drafting letters or negotiating with third parties such as creditors, the Local Authority, the Department of Work and Pensions or Housing Associations.

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• Maintaining accurate, confidential client and case records using the Advice Pro case management system.

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• Keeping up to date with relevant developments and new information concerning client issues. 

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We are urgently seeking Volunteer Advisers with the following specialisms who can commit to at least 5 hours per week (9am-2pm on one week day).

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• Volunteer Welfare Benefits Caseworkers to guide and support clients with all aspects of benefits related queries.  For this role you will need detailed knowledge and experience of Welfare Benefits.
   

• Volunteer Family Law Caseworker to guide our clients with all aspects of divorce, children contact and financial settlements.  For this role you will need an in-depth up to date knowledge and experience of Family Law.
   

• Volunteer Housing Caseworkers to guide and support clients with all aspects of housing enquiries.  For this role you will need in-depth up to date knowledge and experience of housing law including homelessness and including Landlord & Tenant in the social, housing association and private sectors.
   

• Law students wishing to gain experience and apply their skills in practice are welcome to apply for summer placements. 

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We reimburse travel costs to all advisers.

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Person Specification

• A desire to help people

• An ability to communicate empathetically, respectfully and with understanding

• Recognising the issue/s and supporting the client to take appropriate action/s

• An ability to research and apply relevant information to the presenting issues

• Keeping up-to-date by attending appropriate training and undertaking essential reading

• Attending internal and multi-disciplinary meetings as appropriate

• Being open, approachable and non-judgmental

• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing

• Ability to understand and explain complex information in easily understood terms

• An understanding of and commitment to confidentiality and its limitations

• Ability to input data accurately

• A positive attitude to self-development and critical assessment

• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team

• Ability to recognise the limits and boundaries of the role.

• A competent level of IT literacy

 

 

For more information and/or to apply for one of the above roles, please call 01892 838619 or email your CV to info@pwadvice.org