Volunteer Trainee Advisers

Why not train to be a CAB Adviser?

Volunteering as an Adviser

Camden CAB Service recruits groups of new volunteer trainee advisers three times per year. The recruitment process is as follows:-

read the information below

if you are interested you can attend an Open Day

you may then pick up and submit an application form

if you meet the basic criteria you will be invited to an interview

if selected you will be allocated a place for the next available intake

The training to become an adviser is lengthy and demanding and consumes significant resources, so applications need to be considered carefully.

Open Days are held on a variety of days and times and you will be invited to choose the most convenient for you. You can expect to be with us for 2-3 hours depending on how many questions are asked. During this time you will hear about the history of the CAB, about the CAB service in Camden and about the role volunteers play in the organisation. You will also have a chance to have a look around our workplace, examine the training packs we use and get an idea of how the training programme is organised and delivered. You will be able to ask any questions you may have including questions about which days of the week training occurs on, expenses and how the training is recognised by employers and others.

We hope that you will be sufficiently interested to pick up an application form at this stage. All returned application forms will be considered. Selected candidates will then be offered an interview. The selection process is lengthy because you need to be available to volunteer 2 full days/wk for 18 months and be able to cope with the course material in the time allotted for training. In accordance with Citizens Advice national policy we will ask successful candidates to be screened by the Criminal Records Bureau. However a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to your being able to take up the training.

Every CAB adviser is trained to nationally agreed standards. All trainees, whatever their background and previous experience, go through the process, from developing interviewing skills to effective use of the information system, to learning how to do benefit calculations and case recording. Trainees are given assistance, support and encouragement from the Volunteer Development Manager/Guidance Tutor and the Manager in the bureau. Trainees are gradually introduced to interviewing clients under supervision and with the support of the bureau team.

For the first 4 months you will spend one day per week learning in a group with the Volunteer Development Manager and one day in-bureau observing interviews and learning about the practical aspects of the work. At this stage volunteers are known as ‘Trainees’. Training in interviewing and exploring attitudes will then take place at our Regional Office and will consist of 4 full days spread over two weeks. After the initial 4 months you will be classified as a Trainee Adviser and will begin to interview clients. To complete the course and gain the certificate of competence our Trainee Advisers volunteer with us for a further 12 months. This allows them to gain experience whilst contributing to the work of the bureau and to qualify as a Generalist Adviser.

What will the training help me do?

INTERVIEW clients face to face and by telephone using sensitive listening and questioning, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to identify priorities.

FIND, interpret and communicate the relevant information and explore the options and implications so that the client can make an informed decision on a course of action.
                                                                                                                       
ACT for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters, telephoning or by making appropriate referrals.

COMPLETE clear and accurate case records.

RECOGNISE the root causes of problems and participate in taking appropriate action.

Understand the importance of KEEPING UP TO DATE by further training and essential reading.

Become a member of the bureau team by ATTENDING bureau meetings and SHARING administrative and domestic tasks.

What will you be joining?

The CAB service is the largest national independent organisation providing free confidential and impartial information and advice to the public on every subject. There are over 500 main CABx with another 1,000 outlets linked to them. More than 27,000 people are involved in the service; 90% of these are trained volunteers working in bureaux and serving on Management Committees.

Our commitment to you

	appropriate training for this professional, challenging and enjoyable service
	continuing support in the bureau during and after training
	availability of information on a wide range of different topics which support the advice given to clients
	reasonable travel expenses for the bureau sessions and training days
	further opportunities for training and personal development

If you have read through this information and wish to continue with the recruitment process we would ask you to phone June Chapman on 020 7421 4097 or email on june.chapman@camdencabservice.org.ukand your name will be added to the invitation list for the next available Open Day.