At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide confidential advice on various issues to help the community navigate challenges.
- Company: Coventry Citizens Advice, a trusted charity with over 80 years of community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and health services.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to high-quality service and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in advice or casework and knowledge of welfare benefits, housing, and employment.
The predicted salary is between 26798 - 29525 £ per year.
Coventry Citizens Advice has been supporting the local community for over 80 years, providing free, confidential and independent advice on a wide range of issues, from benefits and housing to employment and debt. As one of the city's largest and most trusted charities, we are committed to helping people overcome challenges whilst championing the issues that matter most to our clients.
We are now looking to recruit a number of Generalist Advisers to join us on a permanent basis, working between 28 and 37 hours per week.
The Benefits
- Salary of £26,798 - £29,525 per annum pro rata (FTE)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies
- Regular professional development
- Health & Wellbeing services provided through our Employee Assistance Programme, Health Assured
- Specialised professional support through Peppy
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free eye tests and contribution towards lenses/spectacles for computer users where appropriate
- Standing desks and walking meetings
- Discounts on leisure facilities and a range of other offers
This is a rewarding opportunity for experienced advisers or caseworkers with a decent grasp of welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment or other common advice to join one of Coventry's most established charities. You'll have the chance to make a genuine difference to the public every day, helping people navigate difficult situations, understand their options and move forward through compassionate, person-centred support. What's more, you'll discover a collaborative organisation that is committed to your ongoing development, offering flexibility, professional support and the opportunity to broaden your knowledge across a wide range of advice areas.
The Role
As a Generalist Adviser, you will provide accessible, confidential and person-centred advice to people across the Coventry area seeking support with a wide range of issues. Specifically, you will deliver advice through drop-in sessions at community outreach locations, face-to-face appointments, telephone appointments, and remote channels. You will help people understand their options, make informed decisions and take practical next steps. You'll manage your own caseload whilst supporting volunteers and contributing to an inclusive, collaborative team that is committed to delivering a high-quality advice service.
Additionally, you will:
- Maintain accurate case records and supporting documentation
- Research and interpret information to provide accurate advice
- Travel between outreach locations across Coventry
- Contribute to the continuous delivery of a high-quality service
About You
To be considered as our Generalist Adviser, you will need:
- Experience providing information, advice or casework, together with an understanding of sensitive, person-centred interviewing
- Generalist-level knowledge of welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment and other common advice areas
- The ability to research, interpret and explain complex information clearly and accurately
- The ability to maintain accurate case records, meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
- Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office, electronic information resources and case management systems
- A full driving licence and the willingness to travel regularly between outreach locations across Coventry
Please note, CVs are not accepted for this role. The closing date for this role is the 30th August 2026.
Webrecruit and Coventry Citizens Advice are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
So, if you want to develop your career as a Generalist Adviser, please apply via the button shown.
Generalist Adviser employer: Coventry Citizens Advice
Coventry Citizens Advice is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its Generalist Advisers. With over 80 years of community service, the organisation offers flexible working arrangements, comprehensive health and wellbeing services, and ongoing professional development opportunities, ensuring that employees can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those they assist.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Generalist Adviser
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Coventry Citizens Advice.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Coventry Citizens Advice!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Coventry Citizens Advice, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Coventry Citizens Advice or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Generalist Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Coventry Citizens Advice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Coventry Citizens Advice! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry Citizens Advice
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
