Volunteer Advisors

Volunteer Advisors

We are currently recruiting for volunteers to be based in our North Shields office. You won’t need any previous advice experience, as full training is provided.

What we can offer volunteers: -

· Free and comprehensive training

· Interviewing experience

· Telephone and call handling skills

· Managing clients

· Helping vulnerable clients

· Research skills

· Case recording skills

What our volunteer advisers do: -

· Interviewing – Advisers will conduct an interview with a client. Our clients contact us with a wide range of issues, so the adviser will help the client to explain their problem, ask questions to clarify the issues and to help establish what they want to achieve

· Researching Information – Advisers have access to a comprehensive information system to help clients. A supervisor is always on hand to guide advisers through this information

· Giving Information – Advisers will provide information and advice to a client on their problems. They will explain the options that a client has, so that they can make an informed decision on their next steps

· Case Recording – It is very important that all client’s cases are recorded so that we can offer an efficient service if the client comes back to us. These cases are recorded electronically, and data is entered onto our Casebook case management system

· Preventing Problems – Citizens Advice collect a lot of information on the different problems that clients have. This information is used to influence policies and practices

Support and training: -

· Initial induction session, either individual or in a small group

· Structured Adviser Learning Programme, which includes an amount of e-learning. Volunteers work through this at a pace which is comfortable and manageable

· We use a mentoring approach; you will be able to observe more experienced staff as part of your learning

· Training sessions on the main enquiry areas (in particular welfare benefits)

· One to one support when starting to work with clients

· Supervisor support is available on all advice sessions, to ensure the advice provided is accurate and relevant

About North Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau

About North Tyneside Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provides free, impartial, confidential, independent advice to help people overcome their problems. We help clients with issues in numerous areas. Our main enquiry areas include benefits, debt and money issues, problems at work housing and consumer rights.

We could not provide the support we do without the time and dedication of our voluntary staff. Volunteers are at the heart of our service.

What skills do I need?

Required skills: -

A willingness to learn and develop is central to becoming an effective adviser.

You will need to have interpersonal skills, as you will be working with clients

You will need computer skills to be able to access the on-line learning materials, to research information and to complete client case records.

You will need to have attention to detail, particularly when entering client data.

You won’t need any previous experience, as training and guidance will be provided.

Details

• Accessibility
• Age restrictions
  18 plus
• Child Protection Policy (where relevant)
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Ongoing support
• Training provided
• Volunteer induction
• Volunteer Policy
• Volunteers covered by insurance

Location

Camden House
Camden Street
North Shields
NE30 1ND

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