The following advisor training programmes, designed for support workers with little or no experience in providing financial support and guidance, have been scheduled:
Developing the Confidence to Talk Money
Poverty creates practical barriers, prevents people from buying all they need, and tips them into debt, but also undermines their housing, health and life chances. How can non- financial advisors (including frontline staff and volunteers) free up clients’ emotional bandwidth so that they are able to engage with support, and make longer-term decisions and positive choices?
This workshop shares ideas for engaging people in hardship, and provides basic information and practical guidance for frontline staff, enabling them to help those they support in alleviating financial worries and finding help. The training also explores tools that are available to support this activity. Participants will understand theories of change and develop strategies they can easily implement within their own service.
These sessions are designed to help increase the confidence and skills of frontline staff and volunteers working across health, housing, employment and other support roles, enabling them to be able to ‘talk money’ with their service users, tenants and customers.
Details of forthcoming sessions:
Universal Credit: Mastering the Mechanics/ Practical Support for Claimants
Universal Credit (UC) offers new opportunities to welfare claimants but one in five new claims are reportedly delayed or fail altogether, triggering rent arrears and debt, anxiety and fears of homelessness. With millions of vulnerable claimants, (including those with mental health issues), due to transition over the coming years, it’s time for support workers everywhere to get up to speed.
This introductory workshop for non-welfare and non-finance specialists is delivered over two half-day sessions. (There’s a lot to take on board.)What are the pitfalls claimants face? What are the advantages of UC? What are the soft and hard skills non-specialist advisors need to support people through this transition? And what are the ‘3 Bs’?
Session 1, Mastering the Mechanics, explains the new system and why its processes sometimes seem mismatched to the needs of vulnerable people. We outline the principles and rationale behind UC, and explore the claimant journey, the expectations placed upon claimants by DWP/ Jobcentre Plus, its challenges and opportunities, and the support available.
Session 2, Practical Support for Claimants, explores the common pitfalls and the support claimants need to avoid them. We provide practical ideas to build into services and key messages to share. Participants will be able to signpost the help available, help prevent delayed or failed claims, and explain the new opportunities it brings for jobseekers.
Details of forthcoming sessions:
Supporting Clients with Budgeting
There is a misconception that promoting money management skills requires the support of specialist financial advisors. With eight million people in debt, and 12 million more on the edge, there is a role for support workers everywhere with little or no financial background to pave the way for communities to improve their financial literacy, wellbeing and resilience.
This workshop demystifies budgeting as one of a range of practical financial skills that all of us should feel confident with. Participants learn how to: Conduct an income and expenditure review; Understand what it tells us; Guide clients towards improving their bottom line. Sessions cover ethical issues, managing difficult conversations and signposting specialist advice.
Details of forthcoming sessions:
Customised Programmes
Customised programmes are also available to organisations.
