The Citizens Advice Service was first established in Edinburgh in 1939.
Currently, we deliver services from 4 Bureaux (Dundas Street, Leith, Muirhouse and Portobello) and over 20project/outreach locations across the capital. In 2007 the separate Bureaux merged to form Citizens AdviceEdinburgh (CAE).
Through a team of core and project staff and over 100 highly trained and committed volunteers, CAE provides a free,confidential, independent and impartial service to the citizens of Edinburgh on a wide range of issuesincluding:
* Debt and money
* Welfare Rights
* Consumer issues
* Immigration
* Employment andworkforce problems
* Housing
* Relationship and family issues
* Discrimination
* Healthservices
* Legal rights & responsibilities
The charity is a trusted and well-respected organisation. It enjoys high levels of client satisfaction, and theexcellence of its training programme is widely recognised. Its volunteer workforce and paid staff are fullycommitted and strive, with limited resources, to provide the advice sought by thousands of clients eachyear.
Citizens Advice Edinburgh works in partnership with the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board to deliver an outreachadvice service from 8 GP Practices in Edinburgh. 4 part-time staff members provide weekly sessions for thesesites.
The present vacancy comprises ½ day of client contact and ½ day follow-up work for Southfield and Niddrie MedicalPractices and 1 day of client contact and 1 day follow-up work for Craigmillar Medical Practice, however thespecific practices served may change. The total weekly hours are 28hrs.
The project delivers face-to-face welfare rights and health-related advice to patients of the named practices, onsite, at the practices. The successful candidate will therefore need to be confident advising in outreachlocations, without immediate access to managerial support.
Research indicates that resolving problems with benefits, debt, employment, housing, and family issues can have apositive effect on patient health. Embedding advice services within GP Practices has also been shown to reducerepeated contact between patients and GPs, and to successfully engage clients who have not sought adviceelsewhere.
The successful candidate must be experienced in giving advice, particularly in relation to benefits, including appealand tribunal work. They must have an understanding of the role within the healthcare environment and the impactof poverty on health. The post holder will be required to assertively develop and maintain links with NHS staff,Community Link Workers, CAE specialists and external agencies.
The health sector can be a challenging environment in which to work. Clients are frequently extremely unwell and maypresent with multiple, complex advice issues. In addition to possessing the necessary practical knowledge,candidates will therefore require energy and resilience to make the project a success.
Application notes
Interview date: W/B 11th & 18th August 2025
Interview location: Via video call (Teams)
This post holder will work closely with the Head of Service and will be responsible for delivery of the Bureau’srepresentation services and related advice projects including support for legal advice and casework andrepresentation services to unrepresented litigants attending Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Responsibilities:
Support to Head of Service
• Assist the CEO with the preparation of annual or other advice service reports.
Operations
• To ensure that the Bureau adheres to the Aims, Principles and Policies and demonstrates through best practice;
• To ensure all compliance with the Bureau’s policies and procedures;
• To ensure that service to clients is within the spirit of the Association's Equal Opportunities Policies;
• To prepare full, accurate and regular reports and statistics on all advice service project delivery as required bythe CEO.
• Support and train new Court and tribunal representation volunteers.
Marketing and relationships
• Liaise with members and officers of the Local Authority and participate in appropriate Council groups as requiredby attending relevant meetings as delegated by the CEO;
• To represent the Bureau in local networks including CAS Legal Services Group as and when required;
• To liaise and maintain links with appropriate statutory, voluntary and professional bodies.
Others
• To manage and prioritise a caseload at the specialist level of advice;
• Attend Court to provide lay representation for clients in regards to rent arrears cases, mortgage arrears, andfirst tier tribunal for clients who have rent arrears in private tenancies.
• To be responsible for maintaining expertise, both personally and within the Bureau, in all relevant legislation andguidance;
• Provide accurate, impartial information regarding clients’ legal positions (referring to qualified sources whennecessary), identify and explain all options and courses of action;
• Any other duties as identified by the CEO and Head of Service.
A full Job Description and Person Specification is available for download below.
Citizens Advice Edinburgh (CAE) are looking to recruit an Advice Services Manager to join our Management Team, indelivering high quality and accessible advice and support to people in Edinburgh and its surroundingcommunities.
You will be joining the largest network of advice providers in the UK, with excellent professional developmentopportunities and competitive remuneration packages.
You will also be part of a community led organisation, with a substantial profile, making a real difference to yourlocal community and supporting those in greatest need.
Advice Services Managers oversee our day-to-day advice service, recruit, support and supervise a team of staff andvolunteers, provide expert knowledge and quality assurance and represent the organisation in campaigning forchanges to policies and legislation on the issues that impact the lives of people in Edinburgh and across theUK.
For more information, please see the detailed Job Pack, including Role Description and Person Specification and visitour website at citizensadviceedinburgh.org.uk
The Advocacy Caseworker will provide advice and information (money advice and in court related) service to people inEast Lothian.
Responsibilities:
• Provide support to the In Court Advisor at Court assisting unrepresented party litigants through preparingfinancial statements and other related advice and will be expected to provide cover for the In Court Advisor,for example during holidays/absence, where appropriate;
• Work closely with the In Court Advisor and CAB staff to increase individuals’ awareness of the service throughpromotional material in court and relevant media;
• Maintain good relationships with court staff and accommodate any delivery changes as required by the CourtService;
• Promote and raise awareness of the impact of debt on households, increasing individuals’ financial capabilitythrough working closely with the CAB and other agencies;
• Provide debt advice and representation, where appropriate, in court to reduce the numbers of individuals losingtheir homes;
• Monitor, collate and report to funders and partners both qualitative and quantitative outputs including feedbackfrom clients and other relevant stakeholders;
• Attend membership of strategic groups to increase awareness of the service;
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure that appropriate advice and representation is available andaccessible;
• Increase individuals’ financial capability by working closely with the CABx and other services;
• Ensure equality and diversity requirements are addressed through all aspects of project delivery;
• Maintain adviser competence through continuous knowledge and skills development; and
• Carry out any such other duties as may be reasonably requested by the CEO and/or required by the exigencies of thepost.
A full Job Description is available for download below.
Do you have experience working in the Scottish policy landscape? Are you passionate about driving meaningful changein mental health and suicide prevention policy? Do you want to make a real difference in people’s lives acrossScotland?
Samaritans is looking for a dynamic and experienced Policy Manager to lead our policy and influencing work inScotland.
About the Role
As Policy Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in our mission to reduce suicide. You’ll lead the development ofevidence-based policy positions, influence national and local decision-making, and ensure our voice, and thevoices of people with lived experience, are heard at the highest levels. This is an exciting time to joinSamaritans Scotland, as we are a lead partner in Scotland’s national suicide prevention strategy, workingclosely with the Scottish Government and other partners to deliver the actions in the strategy and reduce liveslost to suicide in Scotland.
Working closely with the Head of Policy and Communications, you’ll manage a Policy & Engagement Officer andcollaborate with colleagues across the UK and Ireland.
Your role will be challenging and rewarding. You’ll be positive, engaging and passionate, with motivational strengthswhich will enable you to lead and drive your team and inspire colleagues, external stakeholders, and people whowant to stand alongside us in pushing for change. You’ll play a key role in ensuring we influence with one voiceand help drive change to support suicide prevention.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development of policy positions and research to support suicide prevention in Scotland.
* Manageand mentor a Policy & Engagement Officer.
* Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholdersincluding government, public bodies, and the voluntary sector.
* Represent Samaritans externally,including at national forums and events.
* Develop and deliver influencing strategies, including responsesto consultations and parliamentary inquiries.
* Ensure the voices of volunteers and people with livedexperience are central to our policy work.
What We’re Looking For
* Extensive experience in policy development and influencing within a Scottish context.
* Strongunderstanding of mental health, suicide prevention, and/or inequalities.
* Proven ability to manage people and projectseffectively.
* Experience working collaboratively across teams and sectors.
* Background in mental health or suicide prevention.
* Experience of working with people with livedexperience to inform policy.
* Knowledge of the Scottish voluntary sector and charitylandscape.
At Samaritans, we believe fewer lives should be lost to suicide. You'll be part of a supportive and inclusiveworkplace that values innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Enjoy a hybrid working environment,professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
Working at Samaritans:
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, andapplication process, please read our recruitment brochure. You can access it on our careers page.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of ourorganisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture andenvironment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representativeof those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minorityand LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
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