Generalist Adviser

**For an application pack, please visit betterleeds.org.uk**

Job Description

Job Title : Advice Worker (Generalist)

Responsible to : CEO

Salary Scale : SCP 19(£27,852) (pay award pending)

Hours : 37 hrs per week

Contract Terms : Permanent

Main Purpose of the Job

To work holistically, using a person-centred empowerment approach.

To provide independent, impartial advice to the AQS generalist quality standard covering advice areas including welfare benefits, debt/money advice, housing, fuel poverty, consumer and employment. To encourage and empower clients to set goals and work towards improved financial and emotional wellbeing outcomes.

To work flexibly from multiple locations across the city including partner venues and community locations. To constructively contribute to project development.

To work collaboratively as part of the Better Leeds Communities Advice Team, to deliver advice through a variety of channels in order to reach vulnerable and excluded clients – our channels include face to face, email, letter, telephone and video calling.

This post will include lone working.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS Check.

Responsibilities

Advice Work

• Provide advice (generalist) in drop-in sessions and by appointment covering topics including welfare benefits, debt/money advice, housing, fuel poverty, consumer and employment.
• Support clients to draft or write letters and make telephone calls on their own behalf. Where necessary, act for the client completing calculations and negotiations on their behalf.
• Negotiate with third parties as appropriate, both orally and in writing.
• Actively maintain and manage an occasional client caseload.
• Ensure income maximisation through the take up of appropriate benefits.
• Promote the work of Energy Trusts to eligible clients in need of financial assistance, and to other local groups and organizations who work within the community.
• Prepare and present cases to the appropriate statutory bodies e.g. challenging benefit decisions,
• Assist clients with other related problems where they are an integral part of their case and refer to other advisers or specialist agencies as appropriate
• Ensure that all work and recording conform to Better Leeds Communities Advice Policies and Procedures and the AQS requirements.
• Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation

Social Policy

• Assist with social policy work by providing information about clients’ circumstances, statistical information and nature of cases.
• Ensure production of persuasive and impactful case studies.
• Assist the line manager to monitor service provision to ensure it reaches the widest possible client group

Personal Effectiveness

• To deliver the highest level of service to each and every client, aiming for a 90% satisfaction rate.
• To be able to manage complex client cases and deal with competing demands, showing effective personal resilience.
• To ensure that personal knowledge and skills are updated to ensure effectiveness in meeting work objectives.
• To keep up to date with relevant changes in legislation, QA systems and trends in the sector.
• To support colleagues, enabling them to achieve high standards in all aspects of their work.

Professional Development

• Keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies and procedures and attend appropriate training
• Develop and continually review knowledge of citywide service provision for clients
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager
• Prepare for and attend supervision sessions
• Work constructively with staff and clients to encourage and facilitate client engagement.

Administration

• Use IT for statistical recording, record keeping and document production
• Complete case recording on time and to a high standard
• Ensure outcome recording and distance travelled measurements are conducted consistently

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out any other tasks that may be within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of services.
• To actively practice Motivational Interviewing Techniques and take part in quarterly reflective group coaching sessions
• Uphold the aims and principles of Better Leeds Communities, in particular the Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Abide by health and safety policies and procedures, hold responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.
• To travel across the city as required to community venues and partner sites as required.
• Maintain close liaison with relevant external agencies, and represent the service as appropriate

**For an application pack, please visit betterleeds.org.uk**

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £27,852.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 01/05/2023