Advice Centre Worker

Advice centre workers give information and advice on issues such as legal and consumer rights, social security benefits, housing and financial problems.

The Work

You could be:

• helping people to exercise their rights and be aware of obligations


• giving one-to-one advice in confidential interviews


• replying to requests for advice by letter, phone and email


• helping a client to work out a strategy for paying off debts


• referring clients on for specialist help, such as legal advice


• representing clients at employment tribunals or social security appeals


• campaigning on issues such as homelessness or benefits


• collecting statistics and writing reports.

Conditions

• Some advice organisations give advice on a single subject (such as money advice centres), while others give wide-ranging, general advice.


• You may work in a local authority department such as housing or social work, or with a voluntary body, such as a Citizens Advice Bureau, where you would deal with a wide range of issues.


• You work in an office, sometimes in a local community.


• You usually work regular hours, Monday to Friday, but you may have to go to meetings in evenings or at weekends.

Getting In

• You do not usually need formal qualifications, but some entrants do have qualifications in law, social work or community work.


• Entrants normally have some relevant experience.


• Many advice centre workers get a job after doing voluntary work as an adviser – most advice centres welcome volunteers.


• You may need to be checked by Disclosure Scotland to show that you have no criminal convictions.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• helpful, with a pleasant manner


• able to get on with a wide range of people


• non-judgemental and sensitive when dealing with clients’ problems


• confident, especially when representing clients at appeal hearings


• careful, especially when keeping records


• able to understand, or learn to understand, legal terms.

• a good memory


• number skills to give money advice


• respect for confidentiality.

Training

• Training is on-the-job.


• You may take short courses in administration, recording information and counselling skills.


• You may also be able to work towards relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) Level 2-4 Advice and Guidance.

Getting On

• With experience and further training, you may be able to become a co-ordinator, trainer or manager with an advisory project or an advice centre.


• You could also become self-employed as a trainer in the advice sector.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

The number of jobs for advice centre workers is increasing as more people are looking for help in managing their debts.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.