Why volunteer?
When you become a volunteer you will be doing something valuable and worthwhile, whilst at the same time making new friends, gaining new skills, and getting work experience. You will keep active, alert, and will gain confidence.
In addition you can get a recognised qualification.
What sort of volunteers do we need?
Scarborough & District Citizens Advice Bureau needs Volunteers to work as ...
- Receptionists
- Admin workers
- Social policy workers
- Management committee members
Overview of the Training Progamme
The training programme usually takes between 6 months and a year to complete, but trainees are encouraged to work at their own pace. People generally start the training with other volunteers, so you have other people to offer support and encouragement. The Guidance Tutors are on hand throughout the training to help you through. Trainees complete booklets called Records of Learning (RLs) as they go through the process, which are a brief record of what has been learned and allows the Guidance Tutor to check understanding of the issues on a regular basis.
1. Induction
During the induction period, a trainee completes the following training packs:
- Introduction to the Bureau
- Our aims and principles
There is initial observation of interviews.
The RL1 is used to record answers, thoughts and comments on the issues raised in the training packs. The trainee also sits in with an experienced adviser who is conducting an interview, as this is the best way to understand what the work will be like, and to be sure that they want to carry on.
2. Understanding the Advice Process
Observation of more interviews. The trainee will observe at least three more interviews, with different advisers if possible. They can practice using their skills by, for example, looking up information for an adviser who is conducting an interview.
Completion of Training Packs on ...
- Advising clients – overview
- Interviewing – advice skills
- Taking action – advice skills
- Legal framework
- Using the information system
- Introduction to the main enquiry areas
- Case recording
- Social policy
These packs complete Record of Learning 1
3. Pre-course RL2 Training Packs
- Which benefit
- Debt
- Housing
- Employment
4. Practice Simulations on 4-day Course
Courses are held in various locations eg Leeds, York or Stockton, and are one day a week for 4 weeks.
During the 4 day course, trainees take part in simulations of real advice situations. The course aims to develop awareness of attitudes, discrimination, social policy etc. It also gives trainees the opportunity to practice challenging skills. RL3 is used to record all the learning which takes place as part of the 4 day course. Most volunteers enjoy going on the course, because it give them the opportunity to meet other trainees from different bureaux across the region.
5. Post-course RL2 training packs
- Consumer
- Homelessness and housing options
- Calculating benefits
- Family and personal
- Immigration and nationality
6. Starting to Interview
First interviews are carried out with observation by the Guidance Tutor. This gives the trainee the support they need and enables the guidance tutor to make sure that everything is ok. After the initial interviews, the trainee is then able to interview alone, with the support of the Advice Session Supervisor.
7. Additional Trainee Adviser Development
Building up experience; learning will continue as the trainee adviser interviews clients and deals with different problems.
Additional training; in specific areas such as housing and homelessness and money advice
Achieving competence; this is when the trainee adviser has completed the RL4.
While interviewing as an adviser on the daily rota, the trainee adviser finishes the work for the RL4. They still have strong connections with the Guidance Tutor who monitors progress and arranges the additional training courses.
Finished your RL4?
Congratulations!
You will receive your certificate and become a fully trained Generalist Adviser. Certificates can sometimes be presented at functions, e.g., at the AGM or a staff meeting. The work done for the Generalist Adviser training may be able accredited by the Open College Network and at this point the portfolio of work should be handed in.
Everyone fills in an application form and has to give the names of two referees. The references are taken up, so it is worth thinking carefully about who the referees should be. They do not have to be work-related references, just from someone who knows you well enough to be able to say whether they think you would be suitable to be a CAB adviser. The Guidance Tutor will have a chat with you once the references are back and make sure you know what training and being an adviser will be like, and that you still want to go ahead