Context of role

This posts will provide proactive support for people in making and managing their UC claim and assist them with managing their finances. You will actively support people individually to adjust to managing their money on a monthly basis through personal budgeting support.

Your role is primarily to help a client set up a new UC claim or manage an existing claim by assessing a client's digital and help claimants to prioritise their finances and budget effectively. You will refer clients to other advice and support services as appropriate.  

Personal Budgeting Support (PBS)

The objective of the Universal Credit Personal Budgeting Support is to support Claimants transitioning into UC with budget management to enable them to manage their money and pay their bills on time, prioritising rent payments.

Prioritising the setting up of bank accounts with potential clients who may be UC claimants and ensuring that people know they need an email

The outcome of PBS should include but not be restricted to the Claimant being capable of undertaking the following activities:

·         Convert from a Post Office card account/ Simple payments to more appropriate banking products

·         Have a transactional bank account

·         Set up a direct debit for prioritised payments

·         Work out monthly income and outgoings

·         Recognise priority bills, such as rent

·         Identify and cut back on non-essentials

·         Complete and maintain a budgeting plan

Assisted Digital Support (ADS)

The objectives of the Universal Credit Assisted Digital Support is to:

·         Provide support for Claimants who are capable of transacting with the UC website, with help.

·         Ensure that those who cannot self-serve are helped to access UC through appropriate channels.

·         Identify need to access more intensive digital up-skilling to use the internet.

·         Support digital inclusion

The outcomes of ADS will include but not be restricted to the Claimant being capable of undertaking the following activities of the UC website:

·         Security awareness: to ensure claimant keeps (log-in) credentials  safe

·         Set and manage their own email account

·         Access, navigate and understand the information required to gather data and complete online UC claims

·         Navigate and update online, diaries, 'to do' lists, and Journals

·         Upload documents, including curriculum vitae (CVs), medical certificates, and Job search evidence

·         Notify change of circumstances

·         Use online account for enquires

·         Print Documents

Key tasks:

·         Take referrals directly from the Job Centre you are placed in, from the Moneyworks helpline and other key services.

·         Provide assistance to DWP customers that need additional help to complete their initial UC claim online and assistance to maintain a secure live on-line claim

·         Provide extensive IT support for vulnerable or other customers with more technically complex claims

·         Provide personal budgeting support and advice for claimants to help them adapt to receiving to  Universal Credit

·         Ensure that claimants can prioritise their housing costs and other priority debts once their UC is in payment

·         Monitor and record accurately time spent with each UC client

·         Provide monthly statistics to line manager and highlight any issues that may be arising

·         Follow data protection requirements and ensure clients are aware of what data will be shared and that they understand what they are consenting to.

Professional development

·         Keep up to date with personal finance and budgeting topics identifying available training materials and other resources.

·         Ability to rapidly understand Universal Credit and be able to identify other advice issues

·         Prepare for and attend supervision sessions / team meetings / staff meetings as appropriate.

Personal Budgeting & Assisted Digital Support Officer

Other duties and responsibilities

·         Uphold the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.

·         Establish and maintain effective and efficient administration systems for the delivery of budgeting sessions.

·         Use IT for statistical recording, record keeping and document production.

·         Participate fully in the life of the charity, attending volunteers' development meetings, staff meetings, internal planning events etc. as agreed with supervisor.

·         Support other work as required (e.g. providing referrals for advice appointments where appropriate).

·         Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.

·         Carry out any other appropriate tasks requested by the supervisor, to ensure the effective delivery of the service. 

Personal Budgeting & Assisted Digital Support Officer

Person specification

1.    Some knowledge and understanding of Universal Credit and a willingness to develop expertise in this area.

2.    A good knowledge and understanding of the personal finance issues that affect adults at risk of financial exclusion.

3.    Ability to support clients to use the internet with a good understanding of internet security

4.    Ability to work with adults that are digitally excluded

5.    Ability to collect, analyse and produce data for reporting purposes

6.    Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate and work with a large variety of different people including those with complex needs.

7.    Ability to work within a job centre and promote the service internally and ensure appropriate clients are identified

8.    Ability and willingness to work both on own initiative remotely and as part of a team.

9.    Numerate and literate to the level required by the tasks.

10.  Effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to use IT applications to record statistics, produce documents and keep accurate records.

11.  Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.

Closing date: Monday 16th October

Interviews: Thursday 19th October

We are ideally looking for people who would be able to start immediately. 

Closing date Monday, October 16th 2017

Community Base do not take part in the recruitment process. If you wish to apply for any of the opportunities advertised, please contact the organisation direct.