Reporting to:         Debt Team Supervisor/ Director of Service Delivery

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   

Interviews: We are currently expecting to interview for the role in the week beginning 29th September 2025

Reporting to:   Debt Team Supervisor and Director of Service Delivery 

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

• The role is aimed at an experienced caseworker, but a training position will be considered for suitable candidates who are able to demonstrate they have transferable skills and abilities.  

  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 advise clients on the implications of defaulting on different types of debt.

  • Identify appropriate tailored options for managing client 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 completion of applications and drafting of submissions.

  • Represent clients at debt related court hearings, including mortgage/rent arrears possession and eviction hearings.       

  • Advise debt clients on entitlement 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 comply with LCALC’s referral procedures.

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

  • Fully participate in the monthly case file review assessments undertaken by the quality team and comply with their requirements.   

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

  • Comply with LCALC’s 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. 

  • Be actively 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 LCALC that may be deemed necessary to meet all of LCALC’s debt service delivery requirements. 

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

  ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with LCALC’s Health and Safety at Work and other work-related policies.

  • Comply with the LCALC’s equal opportunities policy and assist with its development and promotion within LCALC, and amongst partner organisations.

  • Undertake additional duties and responsibilities 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 including challenging liability 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 and conveying tailored advice effectively to clients   

  • 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 incomes- including identifying benefit entitlement, 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 and excellent organisational and administrative 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, use initiative and follow instructions  without close supervision.

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

  • Able to demonstrate resilience to be able to manage the challenges of the work   while delivering an effective service.   

  • 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 with a commitment to equal opportunities.

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

  • If recruited as a trainee- the ability to take on a full case load after no longer than 3 months basic training.  

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