Debt & Money Adviser

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Debt & Money Adviser

Hours: 37 hours per week

Annual Salary: £26,238 (depending on experience)

Annual leave: 32 days plus public holidays (pro-rata)

Responsible to: Project Manager

Funded by: Barnsley MBC

JOB PURPOSE

To work with Barnsley taxpayers and staff of the Income and Collection Team at
Barnsley MBC. The aim is to work together, in joint co-operation, in the supportive
recovery of Council Tax through the operation of a suitable agreement for payment of
Council Tax.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Advice work

1.1 to deliver advice through channels including; telephone, face to face, email,
video and where appropriate home visits.

1.2 to ensure income maximisation by undertaking benefit checks and
supporting the referred taxpayers with the take up of welfare benefits.

1.3 to provide debt advice (at general advice level) and act for the client where
necessary i.e. draft letters, prepare financial statements and negotiate with third
parties.

1.4 to assist referred taxpayers with other related problems, such as, benefit or
housing issues and refer to other advisers or specialist agencies as appropriate.

1.5 to provide one to one support and advice on budgeting and money
management.

1.6 to remain a point of contact for referred taxpayers during the advice process.

1.7 to maintain case records for the purpose of continuity of advice, information
retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.

1.8 to prepare reports for the line manager, Trustee Board and BMBC as required.

1.9 to attend daily and weekly online or face to face meetings.

2. Social Policy

2.1 to provide statistical information and evidence from client work that will highlight
issues of collective social policy concern at a local and national level.

2.2 to raise awareness about relevant social policy issues among office staff
and representatives from BMBC.

3. Professional Development

3.1 to keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to
money advice and Council Tax recovery and to attend appropriate training.

3.2 to read relevant publications.

3.3 to attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line
manager.

3.5 to assist in initiatives to improve services and client journey.

4. Administration

4.1 to maintain accurate and up to date case and file records using our
Casebook electronic recording system.

4.2 to use the IT systems to produce regular progress reports, PowerPoint
presentations, documents and correspondence.

4.3 to maintain relevant reference material and local information systems.

4.4 to ensure that all work conforms to the office administrative policies and
procedures and meets our quality standards.

5. Other duties and responsibilities

5.1 to maintain client confidentiality in line with Citizens Advice policies and
procedures

5.2 to uphold the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal
opportunities/equity diversity and inclusion policies.

5.3 to maintain and develop a close liaison with relevant external agencies and
represent the Citizens Advice service as appropriate.

5.4 to abide by health and safety policies and procedures and share responsibility
for own safety and that of colleagues.

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

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential requirements:

1. A minimum of one year’s recent experience in delivering money /debt and
general advice to members of the public.

2. Skills, knowledge and recent experience of carrying out income maximisation
checks.

3. Experience of providing generalist advice or working in a general advice setting.

4. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively.

5. Good writing skills with the ability to draft correspondence and reports.

6. Good numeracy skills with the ability to carry out efficient calculations and work
with clients in the preparation of budgeting sheets.

7. An ordered approach to work and the ability to prioritise tasks, to identify and
work to deadlines and to manage time effectively under own initiative.

8. Good networking and liaison skills and ability to establish and develop effective
working relationships with partners and other stakeholders.

9. An understanding of the need for confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach
to advice provision.

10. The ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to a wider team
structure.

11. The ability to use standard IT packages in the provision of advice, produce
correspondence and the preparation of statistical reports and submissions.

12. The ability to work from home in a confidential area.

13. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of social policy work in bringing
about change.

14. An understanding and commitment to work within the Aims and Principles of
the Citizens Advice service and its equity, diversity and inclusion policies.

15. Agreement to undertake enhanced DBS check, if required.

Desirable requirements:

1. Competence in use of the Citizens Advice electronic case

management system - Casebook.

2. Competence in use of Quick Benefit Calculator software.