Work with us - Coventry Independent Advice Service

We currently have vacancies for:

Debt Caseworker – Health Justice Partnership (paid role)
Trustee/Treasurer (voluntary position)

Debt Caseworker – Health Justice Partnership

Location: Coventry and Warwickshire. Hybrid working arrangements available.

Hours: Part-time, flexible.

Salary: Up to £30,123 (pro rata)

Coventry Independent Advice Service is a community advice service that holds the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) for our casework in welfare benefits and debt.

About the Health Justice Partnership

The Health Justice Partnership (HJP) is an innovative collaboration between the Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board, Central England Law Centre, Coventry Independent Advice Service, local Primary Care Networks and other community partners. Its mission is to tackle the social welfare issues, such as debt, housing, benefits, and employment, that directly impact people’s health and widen inequalities.

The programme is already demonstrating significant impact, improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable residents in deprived areas and reducing the time health professionals spend dealing with non‑medical issues.

By embedding specialist advice within health settings, the HJP helps people resolve complex legal and financial problems, improves wellbeing, and strengthens prevention efforts across the region.

The role

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Debt Caseworker to join this pioneering programme. You will play a key role in supporting individuals experiencing financial hardship, debt crises, and related social welfare issues that negatively affect their health.

Your work will directly contribute to reducing health inequalities and improving long‑term outcomes for people in priority communities.

Key responsibilities

Provide high‑quality, rights‑based debt advice and casework to individuals referred through GP practices, community health teams, and partner organisations.
Manage a caseload involving complex debt issues, including rent arrears, utility debts, council tax, and unsecured credit.
Work collaboratively with health professionals to ensure clients receive holistic support addressing both social and clinical needs.
Support clients to improve financial stability, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Maintain accurate case records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the HJP’s impact.
Help reduce the proportion of time health professionals spend on non‑health issues by offering specialist intervention.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

Experienced in debt advice (ideally with CertMAP qualification and DRO intermediary accreditation, or willingness to work towards achieving accreditation).
Skilled in working with people facing multiple disadvantages.
Empathetic and committed to social justice.
Confident managing complex cases and advocating on behalf of clients.
Able to work independently while contributing to a wider multidisciplinary partnership.
Organised, resilient, and motivated.

Contract options

We welcome applications from debt advisers looking for part-time or freelance work. Flexible working arrangements can be discussed to support the right candidate.

Why join us?

Be part of a nationally recognised, innovative model tackling the root causes of health inequalities.
Work within a supportive, collaborative partnership between legal, health, and community organisations.
Make a tangible difference to people’s lives by helping them resolve the financial pressures that harm their health.
Contribute to a programme already demonstrating transformative outcomes across Coventry & Warwickshire.
Benefit from being part of our friendly team with access to support and resources.

How to apply

If you’re passionate about using your expertise to improve lives and strengthen communities, we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role before applying, please phone 024 76521100 or email info@covadvice.org.uk and we can arrange this for you.

If you are interested in this role, please download the full job details and person specification below.

Debt_Caseworker – Job Description and Person Specification Download

To apply for this role please complete our application form using the link below. Please pay close attention to the job description and person specification.

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Volunteer Treasurer/Trustee

Location: home based with some in-person attendance at board meetings.
Expected hours: variable, around 6 hours per month, flexible working.
Remuneration: unpaid – expenses incurred in undertaking the role will be reimbursed.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and confident volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees.

Our accounts are not complex, but we do have multiple income streams. We use software called Xero to record transactions and produce reports.

The successful candidate would need to maintain financial control and ensure we comply with our legal responsibilities as a Registered Charity.

About the charity

Coventry Independent Advice Service is a small charity offering free advice, information and support on welfare benefits, debt and other social welfare matters. We hold the Advice Quality Standard, a national quality mark for organisations providing free, independent advice to members of the public.

About the role

The Treasurer will maintain financial control and ensure we comply with our legal responsibilities as a Registered Charity. The Treasurer will mainly work with the CEO and finance administrator to ensure that there is a transparent and clear financial process.

Time commitment

It is expected that the work will take approximately 4-6 hours per month, with workload typically focusing on preparation for board meetings and our annual general meeting (AGM).

As part of the hours, it is expected that the Treasurer will attend most board meetings (usually 6-8 per year, plus the charity AGM) to keep up to date with developments and update the Board of Trustees on financial matters. This means devoting the necessary time and effort to prepare for meetings where necessary.

Personal criteria

Good communication skills and experience of team working.
Empathy and understanding.
An ability to be objective, honest, non-judgemental and able to deal with issues of a confidential nature.
A commitment to the aims, policies and procedures of CIAS.
Financial experience and/or financial qualifications.
Computer literacy.

Desirable skills/experience

Financial management expertise and an understanding of charity finance.
An understanding of charity governance.
Experience of using Xero accounting software.

Being a Trustee

As Treasurer to the Charity, you will also become a Trustee. Trustees are expected to understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and understand their role as a Trustee.

You cannot become a Trustee if you:

Are under 18 years of age.
Are disqualified under Sections 178 and 180 of the Charities Act 2011, because for example, you are an undischarged bankrupt or have an unspent conviction for an offence of dishonesty or deception.
Have previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or charity commissioners or is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act.
Are a paid member of staff.

Key responsibilities

Keep clear, accurate records of CIAS financial transactions.
Have an oversight of restricted and unrestricted budgets.
Be a signatory to the bank account and approve appropriate transactions and expenses.
Monitor and report on the financial health of the charity and give an annual financial report at the AGM.
Attend meetings (approximately 6-8 per year, some online and some in person).
File returns with the Charity Commission and ensure the charity complies with accounting policies and regulations.
Liaise with our independent financial examiner annual independent examination of the accounts prior to the AGM.

More information

If you are interested in this role, please download the information pack below.