SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

These notes to accompany the application form and give details of the commitment asked of volunteers for the Citizens Advice Bureau - they also provide some background information.

AIMS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE SERVICE

To ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available; or through an inability to express their needs effectively.
To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

The CAB service is opposed to all forms of racism and discrimination and is committed to ensuring that all services are equally available to all people.

Resists and challenges acts of discrimination and undertakes to support its clients and staff when confronted with racial harassment.
Seeks actively to conform to the 1976 Race Relations Act and 1984 Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) Code of Practice.
Is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages participation of all ethnic groups at all levels of the service.

The Service therefore provides free to all individuals a confidential and impartial service of information, guidance and support, and makes responsible use of the experience so gained.

THE CAB OFFERS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF SERVICE. IT RELIES ON COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS.

PLACE OF WORK

The registered Bureau is in Yate. All volunteers will be expected to work in any place where SGCAB is offering a service to the public unless there is a significant transport problem.

EXPENSES

Volunteers will be paid expenses for travel to and from work, training sessions and any other work connected with the Bureau - 42p per mile if using a car and any public transport costs.

AVAILABILITY

It is hoped that all new volunteers will commit themselves to two years voluntary work in the Bureau.

Advice workers are asked to do a minimum of two half days per week. The rota will be negotiable, but flexibility will be important. Certain days may be particularly busy when one or more extensions may be operating. As others will cover for you when you are on holiday, it is hoped that you will cover for others.

The time commitment will commence from the start of the training.

Teamwork is an essential feature of working in CAB.

TEAM MEETINGS

These are held monthly. You will be asked to attend as of these as you can due to the training content.

TRAINING TO BE A GATEWAY ASSESSOR

Training initially takes 6 weeks & consists of 1 half day training session and one half day when you can observe. This is followed by a 2 day external course, the first & second day are 8 weeks apart. The total training time will be approximately 4 months.

TRAINING TO BE A FULL ADVISER

It takes about six months from the start of basic training to the day when a new worker can go on the rota. There is a further 6 months during which the new adviser is under supervision. By the end of this period the adviser will hope to have achieved the competencies which make up the CAB Certificate in Generalist Advice Work.

The work involved in the training scheme can be divided into three types:

1. Work at home (training packs followed up by a weekly tutorial.
2. Work in the bureau (training packs and in-bureau experience)
3. Group work at the Regional Office in Bristol with other trainees from the Western Area.

ALL parts of the training programme are essential.

At an appropriate time in (2) trainees sit in and observe interviews with clients and later progress to conducting supervised interviews under the guidance of an experienced adviser. Training is also given in writing up case notes at the conclusion of an interview.

Each training programme is organised by a Guidance Tutor, who is an experienced adviser.