COMMUNITY ADVICE AND LAW SERVICE (CALS)

JOB DESCRIPTION/PERSON SPECIFICATION

Role:                      Specialist Debt Advice Caseworker  

Location:               Community Advice and Law Service

Epic House

Charles Street

Leicester

LE1 3SH

Telephone- (0116 242 1120)

Email - enquiries@advice-cals.org.uk

Reporting to:         The Debt Team Supervisor and the Director of Service Delivery   

Salary:                  

Hours:                    37 hours per week

Annual Leave:       25 days per year (increases after 2 and 5 years) plus public holidays

Pension:                Automatic enrolment Pension Scheme  

Post Funded by:  

Location:      CALS main office Leicester City Centre, CALS outreach venues                                                                                                     and                       and  remote working from home.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Job Purpose:  To provide a quality assured specialist debt advice/casework service at CALS main office and at outreach venues when required.  Also working towards targets and contributing to the continuing improvement and development of services provided by CALS whilst working as part of the advice team.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and maintain an active caseload, providing a comprehensive debt advice, advocacy and casework service to clients on all matters relating to specialist debt advice.

• Comprehensively advising on the implications of defaulting on the different types of debt.

• Identify appropriate tailored options for managing  clients debts and in particular providing direct assistance with DRO, Breathing Space and Bankruptcy applications.

• Advise and assist with debt issues being enforced through the county court( including completing applications, drafting submissions and representation if appropriate).       

• Advise debt clients on entitlements to social security benefits, in order to maximise their income, and to assist clients with applications for charitable funds where appropriate.

• Make referrals either internally, or externally, where clients require advice in other areas of social welfare law and to comply with CALS referral procedures.

• Maintain records and case files to the standard set by funders, the Lexcel Quality Mark and in accordance with CALS case management procedures.

• Ensuring accurate time recording for all advice/casework activities.

• Comply with CALS statistical monitoring requirements by recording relevant information accurately and comprehensively.

• Attend and contribute to both internal and external meetings, training events, and conferences as required.

• Attend relevant training to ensure professional development of existing skills and knowledge.

• Keep up to date with relevant changes in legislation and case law and maintain a comprehensive record of training undertaken. 

• To be involved with the supervision/mentoring/casefile reviews of trainees and caseworkers. Including from time to time, interns, students, volunteers, and to assist with the induction of new staff members as required.

• Attend and contribute to performance/development reviews and one to one meetings.

• Carry out other tasks within CALS that may be deemed necessary to meet all of CALS debt service delivery requirements. 

• Undertaking a small amount of out of hours work as and when required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with CALS Health and Safety at Work and other work-related policies.

• The post holder will comply with the CALS equal opportunities policy and assist with its development and promotion within CALS, and amongst partner organisations.

• The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties and responsibilities that are commensurate with the grade of the post that may arise from time to time, as directed by the Director of Service Delivery or the CEO

EXPERIENCE  QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE,

• Experience of debt casework and advice delivery with the minimum of direct supervision.

• Able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of the debt advice process and the powers of priority and non- priority creditors in the enforcement of debt.

• Experience of advising clients on Bankruptcy, Breathing Space and Debt Relief Orders

• Experience of drafting comprehensive and accurate confirmation of advice letters

• Status as an approved Debt Relief Order Intermediary or sufficient experience to be able to apply for approved status.        

• Ability to assimilate and understand large amounts of information and to identify urgent and important issues.

• Experience of maximising client’s income- including identifying benefit entitlements, providing budgeting advice and preparing grant applications.

• Advocacy experience at Court /tribunal or experience of dealing with /completing court paperwork e.g. County court judgements and rent possession warrants.   

• Experience of using case management systems or the ability to be trained how to use them.

• Certificate in Money Advice Practice or willingness and ability to take the course.

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to make and maintain excellent working relationships within a varied team.

·       Well organised and able to work effectively (and use initiative) without close supervision.

• Ability to manage own workload and work under pressure to meet changing priorities, deadlines and targets.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills

• Commitment to equal opportunities

·       Flexible and reliable, a good team worker, prepared and able to work outside office hours from time to time.

·       Able to represent the organisation as required and demonstrate an empathy for the aims of the service.

·       Proven time management skills – able to work to timescales accurately and efficiently.

• Working knowledge/experience of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)