Working in Partnership with Foodbanks to Help Those in Need
The Service
At Citizens Advice, we’ve been solving life’s problems for more than 80 years. We support our local community with expert free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice.
Serving the people of Bracknell, Slough and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead last year we supported over 6,000 people securing £2.5 million of financial benefit. We know more people want our help and, at present, we are only able to meet some of the demand.
Join Our Team as a Joint Foodbank Adviser
Citizens Advice East Berkshire, in collaboration with Bracknell & Crowthorne Foodbanks and the Trussell Trust, is offering a unique opportunity to join our team as a Joint Foodbank Adviser. Together, we provide free and confidential advice services to individuals struggling to afford the basics in East Berkshire. As a Joint Foodbank Adviser, you’ll offer personalised information, advice, and support to address the underlying causes of hardship, maximise income, and reduce reliance on crisis support.
Role Overview:
In this role, you’ll interview clients face-to-face at Foodbank Collection Centres, exploring their issues and helping them set priorities. Your responsibilities include researching and communicating relevant information, advocating on behalf of clients, and completing accurate case records. Additionally, you’ll work closely with colleagues at Citizens Advice East Berkshire and Foodbanks, ensuring clients receive comprehensive support and access to specialist advice where needed.
The Adviser will work with colleagues in Citizens Advice East Berkshire and the Foodbanks with support from our supervisors and will have access to our wealth of resources.
You will have strong attention to detail, be approachable and friendly and have the flexibility and resilience to deal with challenges that this role may present. You will most importantly have experience of supporting others and have proven experience in an advice-giving capacity.
We are advertising for a full-time position but would be open to a combination of part-time hours for suitable candidates. This role is predominantly working from Bracknell, Crowthorne and Sandhurst Foodbank Distribution Centres, but some home visits and hybrid working will be possible. We will provide a suitable laptop, telephony, and headset. This role is a permanent position
Aims of the Joint Foodbank Service
The aim of the service is to help people or households facing hardship to maximise their income. Our advisers also help to identify the need for wider advice (such as benefits, debt, housing and employment) directing people to specialist onward support. By addressing the underlying causes of the hardship, we hope to reduce the need for foodbank support.
Key Details:
Location: Bracknell, Crowthorne & Sandhurst Foodbank Distribution Centres, Citizens Advice East Berkshire Offices and surrounding areas with some home visits and hybrid working possible
Hours: 37 hours per week (alternative hours considered for the right candidate).
Salary range: £25,000+ per annum dependant on experience
Type of Contract: Permanent (subject to 3 month probation)
The closing date for this role is 30th November 2024 at 23:59. We will offer interviews on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we’d like to hear from you as soon as possible.
Interviews will be arranged as suitable applications are received.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Advice Work
- Interviewing clients face-to-face at the Foodbank Collection Centres, exploring client issues and helping the client to set priorities.
- Researching, interpreting, and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision.
- Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting, or writing letters or making appropriate referrals.
- Completing clear and accurate case records.
- Referring clients to further advice, in particular specialist in-house at Citizens Advice East Berkshire.
- To maintain a focus on achieving positive outcomes, including financial gains from welfare benefits, improved money, and debt management, securing housing, and consequent improvements in health and wellbeing.
Read full job description here.
Remuneration:
This role reflects an attractive remuneration package with excellent terms including:
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 telephone support service
- Employee Discounts Scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per year (in addition to bank holidays), plus gifted holidays during the Christmas period
- Good transport links
Join Our Team: If you’re ready to make a positive impact in your community and support individuals on their journey towards recovery and independence, apply now to become our newest colleague.
To Apply: After reviewing the Job Description and Information Pack, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to recruitment@caeb.org.uk.
For an informal and confidential discussion about this position, please contact recruitment@caeb.org.uk.
Interviews will be arranged as they are received for suitable candidates and the openings will close upon successful appointment, so it is advised applications are submitted promptly to avoid disappointment.
Please be aware that Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. Therefore the successful applicant must already possess the right to work in the UK.
Please also note, in the event of a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the application early.
Citizens Advice East Berkshire is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or age.
You must be eligible to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
Food Bank Adviser Job Description (October 2024)
Job Application Form (June 2022)
Diversity Monitoring Form (June 2022)
Application Pack (August 2024)
