Debt/Welfare advisors... Qualifications?

dori2o

Looking at the possibility of making a change to my job.

I've seen a few jobs I quite like the look of, all are based on debt/welfare advice.

From the job I do now I have some experience of the Welfare system but have no direct experiebnce giving advice on it except for what help I have provided on this site and the help I give at work when d/w Tax Credit customers.

The only debt advice experience I have is helping those who owe tax to pay what they owe.

I have 10 years worth of customer service experience (with an NVQ in public sector customer service) with both face to face and telephone/email experiences.

Are there any courses/qualifications I can take related to this type of work in order to provide that extra boost to my CV.

I_Can_Haz_Job?

Hiya

I used to volunteer for Citizens Advice as a data analyst and my 'boss' was keen for me to take on a further role as MoneyActive Co-ordinator. Basically you go into the community and deliver presentations and help people manage their benefits, debts etc. Sadly I left to go into full time work but would have loved to do it - all the training was provided so I think something like this would be spot on for you. CAB always has issues with getting volunteers - we couldn't run drop in sessions sometimes because of this - so they'd jump on you if you offered your time.

Good luck with everything

dori2o

I_Can_Haz_Job? wrote: »

Hiya

I used to volunteer for Citizens Advice as a data analyst and my 'boss' was keen for me to take on a further role as MoneyActive Co-ordinator. Basically you go into the community and deliver presentations and help people manage their benefits, debts etc. Sadly I left to go into full time work but would have loved to do it - all the training was provided so I think something like this would be spot on for you. CAB always has issues with getting volunteers - we couldn't run drop in sessions sometimes because of this - so they'd jump on you if you offered your time.

Good luck with everything

Thanks very much. I'll look into that.

noelphobic

I'm currently training to be a debt advisor on a voluntary basis. I will also be having an informal interview with CAB next week with a view to becoming a general advisor with them.

If you are able to find some voluntary work of this nature I am sure it would help you to gain paid employment - I'm hoping so anyway, as I am job hunting at the moment. Obviously it depends on whether you can fit this in around your current working hours.

dori2o

Just been looking into this a bit more and I think I've just come across something that will scupper my chances.

As a civil servant working for HMRC I have to watch what else I do due to Conflict of Interest. I also have to have permission to apply for such work, even on a voluntary basis.

The guidance I have found says

Part-time work for Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) is permitted provided jobholders do not become involved in problems related to the work of the department

That means I wouldn't be able to give advice on things like tax credits or self assessment/paye, National Insurance, etc as this is directly linked to what I do.

HMRC staff are not supposed to give help/advice on forums such as this, but some do.

Looks like I might have to look elsewhere.

It also scuppers a potential plan B. I was considering getting another job, potentially in the debt collecting/debt advice industry (which there seems to be a lot of in Manchester) on a part time basis and reduce my hours at HMRC to part time and work both jobs.

Unfortunately whilst working for HMRC you are forbidden from working in call centres in the debt collection/advice/management, insurance, financial services industries.

!!!!!!!!!

Who?_me?

I can see the HMRCs point on that one. It makes it too open to fraud, and some people would take the opportunity. Also save you from being blackmailed I guess!
Not much help for your career change however. Is there not a department with in HMRC that can help you change what you do?

dori2o

Who?_me? wrote: »

I can see the HMRCs point on that one. It makes it too open to fraud, and some people would take the opportunity. Also save you from being blackmailed I guess!
Not much help for your career change however. Is there not a department with in HMRC that can help you change what you do?

There is a debt management department but as yet there are no positions available in that part of the business.

I'm still looking into the CAB volunteering as I should still be able to give advice on welfare (with the exception of tax credits) as that is all DWP not HMRC.

I do understand the HMRC view no matter how frustrating it is.

From the information I have found, whilst I cannot get involved with cases requiring help with tax/NI/tax credits, I can provide information that is in the public domain, so where to go, who to call, which forms to complete and wherer to find them etc. I just can't give tax/tax credit/NI advice or show people how to complate these forms.

The other thing is I understand CAB will provide courses to learn the skills you have missing, so it's still something I am interested in.

Bantex_2

I would be a bit careful, many of the jobs advertised as debt advisors are sales jobs for such things as expensive DMPs, sub prime loans and BMV house purchasers.

dori2o

Bantex wrote: »

I would be a bit careful, many of the jobs advertised as debt advisors are sales jobs for such things as expensive DMPs, sub prime loans and BMV house purchasers.

I know. Unfortunately my BIL got suckered into one of those.

The jobs I am looking at are with national charities, the main one being Shelter.

Thanks for the advice.

dori2o

Just been told by a friend that CAB are holding a volunteer recruitment event at local Tesco on Friday between 9:30 and 4:30. Think I might pop up and get some advice, and apparently a free keyring!!!!!