Suitable for: Information/advice workers, PA’s, youth workers providing rights- based advice to young people on issues like housing and benefits. It is equally suitable for staff new to advice work and for more experienced staff wanting to sharpen their practice.
Course Structure: A 2-day course run on consecutive Wednesdays. It uses a number of interactive training methods, including group work, pair work, role plays and scenario case studies intended to link theory to practice.
Aim: To develop competence in the skills required for giving high quality rights-based advice to young people. (NB: This course does not cover the knowledge required to give accurate advice – see our courses on Welfare Benefits and Housing & Homelessness, but uses relevant reference material from these courses for negotiation and interviewing role plays)
Course Content:
1. Understanding key advice principles – including confidentiality, independence, case recording; examining tensions between principles of advice work and youth work
2. Advising young people about their rights – how does this differ from giving other types of advice? What constitutes good quality rights-based advice? How to make advice accessible
3. Exploring clients’ advice needs – using Egan’s 3 stage model of problem solving; getting young people to engage and open up in formal interviewing situations
4. Interviewing and negotiating skills – active listening in an advice setting; how to move from sympathetic ear to problem-solver; negotiating effectively and challenging decisions
5. Recognising the limits of your competence to advise – ensuring you have accurate up-to-date information resources; knowing when, where and how to refer
Trainer: Helen Stollar, Youth Access’s in-house advice trainer - Helen has worked as a Benefits trainer at London Advice Services Alliance, she has been head of a University Student Advice Service and Project Manager for a Disability Benefits Project. She is a qualified counsellor.
What previous participants have said about this course:
“It will improve my ability to get to the crux of the matter and provide fit for purpose advice”
“The trainer really knows her stuff and made what could be a dry subject really interesting”
“Enjoyed the training – good course”
Prices for two days
Improving Advice Skills course: Youth Access members: £100.00, Voluntary Sector: £160.00, Statutory Sector: £200.00
Special Offer: Advice Package Deal
Book on this course and the 1 day Welfare Benefits and Young People course at the same time and save 20% on all three days: Youth Access members: £136.00, Voluntary Sector: £212.00, Statutory Sector: £264.00
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