Info and advice adviser

We are looking for a new Adviser to join our small and busy team based in central Reading. The purpose of the role is to enable older people across Berkshire to enjoy later life by providing information and advice to reduce financial hardship and disadvantage, ensuring older people are fully aware of their rights and options.

We are looking for someone with the right skills and abilities with the potential to be an excellent adviser. Excellent training and support will be given.

JOB SUMMARY

To provide information and advice for older people, their relatives and carers

Including: Welfare Benefits, Health and Social Care and the funding of those services, Housing, Pensions, Power of Attorney, Scams and Energy.

To work with other members of the team to develop and strengthen Age UK Berkshire’s services, providing cover when needed.

To contribute to Age UK Berkshire’s social policy work.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:	Adviser
Base:	Unit 119, Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7Q
Employer:	Age UK Berkshire: Company No. 7928260, Charity No. 1146462
Hours of work:	22.5 - 30 hours pw
Salary:	£12.80 ph
Responsible to:	Information and Advice Manager
Terms and Conditions:	All terms and conditions are in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of employment with Age UK Berkshire. Details of these can be found in your Contract (Statement of Terms and Conditions of Employment).
Special Conditions:	Local travel during work may be required, for which mileage allowance or public transport costs will be paid.
	Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary, for which time off in lieu on an hour-by-hour basis is allowed.
	The post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Scheme check.
Date this Job Description was last reviewed:		October 2025
Closing date for applications:		5^th November 2025
Provisional Interview Date:		13^th November 2025

JOB SUMMARY

To provide information and advice for older people, their relatives and carers

Including: Welfare Benefits, Health and Social Care and the funding of those services, Housing, Pensions, Power of Attorney, Scams and Energy.

To work with other members of the team to develop and strengthen Age UK Berkshire’s services, providing cover when needed.

To contribute to Age UK Berkshire’s social policy work.

Main Duties:

The provision of high-quality information and advice for older people, their families and their carers via telephone, face to face, email and outreach sessions.
Create and maintain accurate case records and statistical information
Ensure work meets quality standards
Where appropriate signpost or refer clients to other agencies for support
Where appropriate act on behalf of clients with third parties by phone, letter or email
Work as part of a team with other information and advice staff and volunteers
Actively embrace diversity and equality and challenge discrimination
Effective use of the information and office systems which support the information and advice service
Liaise with outside agencies including Social Services and Department of Works and Pensions, local authorities and other charities.
Attend meetings representing Age UK Berkshire and the Information and Advice service
Undertake relevant training to develop and maintain the skills and knowledge necessary for the role. Keep up to date with relevant changes in the law, policies and procedures both locally and nationally
Comply with all Age UK Berkshire policies and procedures and with all relevant legislation
Carry out any other duties, commensurate with the rate of pay and grading, as may from time to time be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience of	Desirable or Essential
Information, advice or customer service work	E
Working with older people and/or vulnerable adults	D
Using resources to find, clarify and check complex information	E
Using IT systems to record customer details and manage workflow	E
Knowledge and understanding of
The needs of older people and the key issues affecting them	E
The need for confidentiality and security of personal information	E
A good understanding and knowledge of welfare benefits as well as health and social care and its funding.	D
Importance of diversity and equality and challenging discrimination	D
Skills and abilities
Excellent listening, interview and communication skills	E
Ability to research, interpret and apply complex information and guidance, including legislation, benefit regulations and other advice and information resources	E
Work sensitively with clients ensure confidentiality, non-judgemental	E
Ability to work confidently and collaboratively as part of a team	E
Skills and abilities in use of IT systems to effectively locate, store and disseminate information	E
Ability and commitment to following set procedures, e.g. in casework and file management	E
Commitment to providing a high quality, effective service	E
Good numeracy with the ability to understand and check the figures in benefit statements, payments and calculations	E
Work on own initiative with self-motivation	E
Able to manage workload and meet targets and deadlines	E
Ability to learn through mostly online resources, online training	E
Able to work effectively in a busy office environment	E
Training and qualifications
Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development	E
Other
Commitment to the values and aims of Age UK Berkshire	E
Commitment to the principles of equality and confidentiality	E

This Job Description is indicative only and does not form part of the Statement of Terms and Conditions or Contract of Employment of the post holder.

The job as described will be reviewed on a regular basis to respond to the changing needs of the post and of the organisation.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like an informal chat about this role, or have any questions, please email Helen Warren helen.warren@ageukberkshire.org.uk

To apply please send a CV along with a statement explaining how your experience, skills and abilities match those we are looking for, to Helen.

Closing date 5pm Wednesday 5^th November 2025