Scarborough & Dist C.A.B. at 62 Roscoe St., Scarborough YO12 7BY - and - Church House, Flowergate, Whitby YO21 3BA Made with Xara Web Designer Scarborough & District Citizens Advice Bureau needs Volunteers to work as ...     • Receptionists • Admin workers • Social policy workers • Management committee members We need all of the above to be able to run our service, as well as people who are willing to train as advisers.   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.  Why Volunteer? What sort of volunteers do we need? What do I need to train as a CAB Advisor? • To be interested in people • To be non-judgemental • To be a good listener • To be OK with reading and writing English, and with basic Maths • Enough time to spare • Basic computer skills • A sense of humour! What sort of people volunteer? • All sorts of people! • You can be young, older, employed, unemployed, retired; CAB volunteers come from many different circumstances • You do not need formal qualifications, just some enthusiasm and a willingness to learn • You do not need to have done something similar before; CAB training covers everything you will need to know. CAB has Equal Opportunities policies relating to disability, Black people and ethnic minorities, a lesbians and gay men policy, a women policy, HIV/AIDS policy and an Irish people in Britain policy. It is also committed to increasing diversity among its volunteers and staff, so volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome.  What’s in it for me? • Make a difference • Change things for the better • Receive accredited training • Get invaluable work experience and enhance your employability • Develop new and existing skills • Put your existing skills and experience to good use to help others • Get involved with the community • Make new friends • Expenses paid Most people volunteer for CAB because they feel they want to help and to make a difference to others. But there are many positive outcomes for themselves too. For people wanting to get back into employment, becoming a CAB volunteer can give them new skills, confidence and a current reference. One third of CAB volunteers who leave the service have found employment or are starting full time education. For people who are retired, it is a chance for them to carry on using some of the skills they have acquired while working, and keeps them active and in touch with their community. For all volunteers, it can be a way of making new friends and feeling valued. Scarborough CAB pays expenses to its volunteers, so your situation does not stop you from volunteering.  I want to be an Adviser: what now? • Fill in an application form • Give two referees' names • Have a chat with the guidance tutor  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. Overview of the Training Programme 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 • Which benefit • Debt • Housing • Employment  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.   Home     Annual Report     Get Advice     Locations     News      Recruitment      Pension Credit     Useful Links      Home     Annual Report     Get Advice     Locations     News      Recruitment      Pension Credit     Useful Links      Return to TOP ^ Return to TOP ^ Return to TOP ^ Return to TOP ^ Return to TOP ^