RICHMOND CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU SERVICE

							RICHMOND CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU SERVICE

                                              JOB DESCRIPTION

         Job Title:                    Advice Session Superviser

         Responsible to:         Client Services Manager

         Responsible for:        Volunteer advice workers

         Hours of work:          21 hours per week

         Salary:                 Scale SO1 Equivalent

         Holidays:               28 days per annum, pro rata per months worked

         Location:               Candidates must be able to work flexibly across our offices in Richmond
                                 Borough. Occasional early evening or Saturday working may be required.

         Tenure:                 Six Month Fixed Term position


         JOB PURPOSE

         Working within the Aims, Principles and Policies of the CAB Service:

         -    To help provide an effective and efficient generalist advice service that are consistent with RCABS
              policies and procedures
         -   To participate in social policy work

     DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. ADVISOR SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT

Providing support to volunteer advisors giving face-to-face and other advice; ensuring that advice complies
with CAB standards

To case check records of advice given, ensuring that advice given is in line with CAB standards

Through on-going case monitoring and annual appraisal meetings, providing feedback and guidance to
advisors as part of their professional development

Day to day running of the bureau, including preparing work schedules and rotas for advisors and other
support roles, monitoring and planning workloads

Supervising trainee advice workers, monitoring their development and training needs

     2. UNDERTAKING CASEWORK

     -         Researching, advice, negotiation, referral and advocacy on behalf of clients on specific cases (from
               advice to full representation)

     -         Keeping accurate case records in keeping with Citizens Advice membership requirements.

     -         Undertaking Independent File Review

3. TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

-            Keeping informed of all new relevant legislation and changes in existing legislation and social policy
             and read the regular monthly update from Citizens Advice and relevant publications in the field.

.-           Keeping up-to-date on internal developments within RCABS; particularly through internal web pages.
             and keep in touch with local issues and developments and changes in procedure of other agencies.
-           Attending training courses and monthly team meetings.

-           Keeping informed of new technology and information systems.

-           Taking part in training new workers as required.

4. SOCIAL POLICY

-           Participating in the development and maintenance of social policy evidence. Writing reports on
            findings where appropriate.

    5. REPRESENTING THE CAB

    -       Giving talks for training purposes to other organisations, where appropriate

6. PARTICIPATING IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF THE SERVICE

    -       Participating in discussions about the overall policy of RCABS.

    -        Participating in team meetings.

OTHER DUTIES (As required)

In addition to the tasks and duties outlined in this job description, to undertake such duties as may be
identified and which are generally compatible with the functions of the post.

The post holder must have due regard in the planning and execution of his / her duties at all times to aims &
principles and Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory policies of Citizens Advice.

Work within all current Health & Safety regulations as required under statute and as policies of RCABS.

ADVICE SUPPORT WORKER
Person Specification

When short listing for interview the selection panel will only consider the information contained in your
application form and assess this against the person specification.
Essential Criteria

           A minimum of two years recent experience (full or part time equivalent) in generalist advice work in a
            CAB. This must include hands on experience of in-depth case work in debt, welfare benefits, housing
            and employment.
           Significant experience of managing the practicalities of advice sessions including organising the
            session and supporting volunteer workers face to face, on the telephone and in doing email advice.
           A good understanding of the external environment in which CABs operate, and the role of social
            policy issues in achieving organisational aims.
           Be able to communicate complicated information to people in an accessible way
           Evidence of being able to use written communication skills to create clear and manageable case
            records, understandable and effective letters and when required concise and relevant reports.
           Evidence of using negotiating and influencing skills on behalf of clients to achieve optimum
            outcomes.
           To plan and manage your own workload and those of others.
           Evidence of being able to work effectively as a member of a team
           Have experience of motivating, supporting and contributing to the development of a team of
            volunteer advice workers.
           Evidence of using IT applications as appropriate to the job and to demonstrate an ability to be self
            servicing
           Understanding and support of Citizens Advice Aims and Principles

Application Procedure: Full Job Description and Person Specification and application forms are
available via our website at www.
Completed application forms should be submitted to recruitment@rcabs.org by Noon on Friday 11
November 2011