Money Adviser in Norwich

Norwich City Council’s Budgeting and Money Advice service is looking for an experienced Money Adviser to provide 12-month maternity cover within a small, specialist team. You will provide specialist debt and money advice to council tenants experiencing rent arrears, multiple debts or wider financial difficulty. This is a hands-on casework role supporting clients who may be vulnerable, distressed or at risk of losing their home, so we are looking for someone with strong debt advice experience who can take responsibility for an existing caseload.

You will assess complex financial circumstances, give clear and compassionate advice, negotiate with creditors and help clients understand sustainable options, including managed repayment solutions, Breathing Space and Debt Relief Orders where appropriate. You will need to be organised, resilient and confident making professional judgements while maintaining accurate records and working closely with colleagues and partner agencies.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a practical difference to tenants at a difficult point in their lives, helping them stabilise their finances, sustain their tenancy and move towards longer-term financial resilience. The Money Adviser provides specialist debt and money advice to Norwich City Council tenants, supporting people who may be experiencing rent arrears, multiple debts, financial hardship, vulnerability or risk to their tenancy.

The role exists to provide expert specialist debt and money advice, promote self-help money advice methods and support anti-poverty work across Community Services. Working within the Budgeting and Money Advice service, the postholder helps tenants understand their financial situation, explore appropriate debt options, maximise income, manage priority liabilities and sustain their homes.

This is a high-impact advice role requiring both technical knowledge and a caring, non-judgemental approach. The Money Adviser works with tenants, colleagues, creditors, statutory services and voluntary-sector partners to achieve practical and sustainable outcomes.

As a Money Adviser, you will:

• Provide specialist debt and money advice to council tenants with rent arrears, multiple debts or wider financial difficulties, including complex and vulnerable cases.
• Manage an active caseload, assess financial circumstances, identify priorities and agree realistic, sustainable action plans with clients.
• Provide caring, compassionate and non-judgemental support, giving tenants time to explain their circumstances and helping them feel listened to and treated fairly.
• Support clients to negotiate with creditors and understand appropriate debt options including, but not limited to, Breathing Space and Debt Relief Orders.
• Undertake home visits where appropriate, recognising that Money Advisers work closely with vulnerable tenants.
• Promote financial capability, welfare benefit awareness, income maximisation and tenancy sustainment, making referrals or signposting to internal and external support where needed.
• Maintain accurate case records, comply with relevant legislation, policy and professional standards, and contribute to service improvement, training and good practice.
• Work collaboratively with Housing Income colleagues, statutory and voluntary agencies to provide a coordinated, compassionate and effective service.

Significant experience of debt recovery, money advice and complex casework, ideally in social housing, public sector housing or a related advice setting is required. A strong understanding of welfare benefits, housing income, debt recovery and appropriate debt solutions is essential. You should have the ability to assess complex information, manage competing priorities, organise your own caseload and take responsibility for timely case progression.

Excellent communication, interviewing, negotiation and written skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and sensitively are necessary. A compassionate, non-judgemental and resilient approach when working with clients who may be vulnerable, distressed or facing difficult circumstances is crucial. Confident IT skills, accurate record keeping and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and partner agencies are also important.

Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, customer care and continuous improvement is expected. Numeracy and literacy qualifications of GCSE level or equivalent are required. Evidence of continuing professional or personal development relevant to debt advice, money advice, housing, welfare benefits, customer support, casework or working with vulnerable clients is also necessary.

Other requirements include the ability to work flexibly or out of hours where required and a full UK driving licence to support home visiting.