Advice worker

Advice worker job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

The work is challenging and varied with duties that range from interviewing clients, assessing problems and writing reports, to mediating on a client's behalf and providing legal representation at court cases and tribunals. Other responsibilities include:

• maintaining records and information systems
• compiling statistics
• preparing/distributing publicity materials and displays
• interpreting legislation and researching cases
• Referral and liaison with other relevant organisations

Advice workers help people who are often in crisis situations, with very complex problems. This can make the work stressful and emotionally demanding, but at the same time rewarding if a resolution to their problems or a way forward can be found.

Typical employers of advice workers

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Neighbourhood Advice Centres
• the National Health Service (NHS)
• universities and other institutions
• other voluntary and charitable organizations

Vacancies are advertised in local, regional and national newspapers, Adviser Magazine and the Citizens Advice Bureau mailings. Speculative approaches to employers are advisable, particularly for work experience placements.

Qualifications and training required

Personality and relevant experience are usually more important than qualifications, although a degree in law, counselling, guidance, psychology, education, social or community work, public administration or social sciences can be helpful.

Key skills for advice workers

• resourcefulness
• verbal and written communication skills
• maturity
• confidence
• empathy
• patience