Debt and Money Advice Training

Award winning training and support for money advisers

About Wiseradviser

Wiseradviser is part of a UK wide money advice training programme provided by the Money Advice Trust (MAT). It is of benefit to anyone working with people facing financial difficulty. In Northern Ireland Advice NI delivers Wiseradviser training at generalist, skilled and specialist level. Advice NI has received a National Training Award for its provision of Wiseradviser training.

We have achieved the Money Advice Service Quality Framework for Individuals accreditation for various Wiseradviser NI Learning Pathways. This covers almost all debt activity sets (Initial Contact to Court Representation) as outlined in the diagram below:

Note: The coloured blocks on the left represent which Wiseradviser courses an adviser must complete to meet the requirements of the MAS quality framework for individuals for each of the debt activity sets. The blocks on the left demonstrate available CPD for each aspect, which we recommend you complete.

Advisers can therefore undertake Wiseradviser NI training to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the MAS quality mark. Further information can be found at http://www.wiseradviser.org/northern-ireland/mas-accreditation.

In this brochure courses required by the MAS accreditation process are marked

Who Should Attend?

Wiseradviser courses are appropriate to anyone currently working with vulnerable clients facing financial difficulties.

Level/Accreditation:

There are three levels to Wiseradviser training – Generalist Level (G) (provides basic principles of money advice), Skilled Level (S) (develops skills and knowledge of generalist money advisers), and Specialist Level (SP) (to help advisers deal with more complex cases). Most Wiseradviser courses are accredited with OCNNI at Level 3 or 4 and we will apply for the Skillsmark endorsement Mark accreditation within the next coming year. See individual courses for further details. Learners must meet pre-entry requirements for skilled and specialist Wiseradviser courses. These can be found at www.wiseradviser.org.

Location/Time:

Wiseradviser training courses are currently delivered at the Advice NI offices Belfast. Half day courses run from 9.30am to 1pm. Full day courses run from 9.30am to 4.00pm (approximately).

Bookings Policy:

All attendees MUST book their place online at www.wiseradviser.org and NOT using the Advice NI booking form. A notification e-mail will be sent once a booking request is received. Successful applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail advising them of their course place. When possible reminder e-mails will be sent 2 months and again 2 weeks prior to the course. Should a place no longer be required it MUST be cancelled via the wiseradviser website (see cancellation policy).

To book a place on a Wiseradviser course participants must be registered on the Wiseradviser website at www.wiseradviser.org. Instructions on how to use this site, including how to book onto courses, are available once you are registered and logged in. If you have any difficulties registering, contact www.wiseradviser.org.

How to Access On-line Training:

You can access on-line courses by logging onto the NI part of the Wiseradviser website. After this you click on:

·  Learning Tab on the centre of the homepage

·  Go to Online Learning

·  Select ‘Your Course’

·  Click on ‘Request’ at the bottom of the pop-up page that appears

Application/Allocation Policy:

In addition to the ‘first come, first served’ allocation policy (page 2), Wiseradviser training has a duty to ensure places are available to each partner organisation (Advice NI, Citizens Advice NI, Step Change and IMA). Furthermore there is a maximum limit of 2 places (per course) per agency/branch. Therefore, some applicants will be placed on a reserve list and contacted if places become available.

Fees:

All Wiseradviser courses are FREE to members of the following MAT partner agencies:

·  Advice NI

·  Citizens Advice NI

·  Step Change

·  Institute of Money Advisers (IMA)

However, for accredited courses a £55 charge is applied for those seeking OCNNI accreditation (Note: this is £80 for the Insolvency course, which has 4 modules). Accreditation is currently optional for accredited courses but the paperwork must be completed for MAS accreditation.

Educational/Professional Framework:

As explained above Wiseradviser training can enable participants to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Money Advice Service quality framework for individuals. This framework is mapped against a variety of NOS, so by achieving the relevant training advisers can demonstrate that they meet the NOS associated with that activity set (see pathway above). The Advice Work activity set, for example, covers 9 NOS including ‘First Line Money and Debt Legal Advice/ Casework’ and ‘Provide and Receive Referrals on Behalf of Clients’.

The courses are link to a range of NOS beyond those covered by the MAS quality mark, including ‘Providing First Line Consumer Legal Advice/Casework’, ‘First line Housing Legal Advice/Casework’, ‘First Line Mental Health Legal Advice/Casework’.

The Wiseradviser courses can be used as evidence towards a range of units in the Advice and Guidance and Legal Advice qualifications. This includes ‘Negotiate on Behalf of Clients (Unit 11), ‘Support Clients to Make Use of Advice and Guidance Services’ (Unit 2), and ‘Present Cases for Clients in Formal Proceedings’.

Wiseradviser Extra:

In addition to Wiseradviser training Wiseradviser Extra provides opportunities for Continued Professional Development including podcasts and guest blogs. The Wiseradviser training website also provides sector news, discussion forums and support tools. These will be available to those registered on the Wiseradviser site.

Course Title / Course Length & Date / Course Description / Location
Tailoring Advice: Strategies and Options for Dealing with Debt
(S) / 2 Day Course:
Day 1:
Monday
7th September
Day 2:
Tuesday 15th September / This generalist level course is designed for
Advisers dealing with debt at all levels who want to provide a high quality, effective and measurable debt advice service. It provides an opportunity to explore key factors to promote good practice in dealing with debt cases which includes: case management, referrals and quality frameworks, including support and supervision. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
It is worth 12 CPD hours.
This is a core course for those seeking MAS accreditation at Advice Work or above. / Belfast
Understanding Banking Law
(S) / 1 Day Course:
Monday 21st September / Support your clients with their banking rights and entitlements by learning the essentials of banking law.
This course will provideyou with an understanding of banking regulations in the UK enablingyou to assistyour client/s with their banking rights and entitlements. Key topics include: the legislation and codes of practice governing banking and financial service provision; applying the protections offered by legislation and codes of practice governing banking law and how to challenge a decision and make a complaint about a bank or financial service provider. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
It is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Giving Effective Telephone Advice
(G) / 1 Day Course + E-learning Prerequisite
Wednesday 30th September / This training is aimed at advisers experienced in face-to-face advice, who want to develop skills in the delivery of advice via the telephone. It is a practical workshop, which will help you develop your telephone technique. Key topics covered are the differences between telephone and face-to-face delivery methods, communication skills, call control and development, dealing with difficult calls, call structure and adviser support.
Learners must complete the on-line module ‘Giving Effective Advice by E-mail’ as a pre-requisite to this course.
This course is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Mental Health: Good Practice for Debt Advisers
(S) / 1 Day Course:
Thursday 8th October / This course will demonstrate how to identify, support, advise and refer clients that have a mental health problem. We recommend a process to follow that reflects key guidelines and the law. This skilled level course will enable you to identify and understand the issues that arise in relation to debt and mental health and how best to progress with these. There will be a presentation from a specialist in Mental Health as part of this course. This course will soon be accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.

It is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Skills for Effective Advocacy
(SP) / 1 Day Course:
Monday 12th October / Following from theDebts in the Courts skilled level course (which is a pre-requisite), this discussion based, and practical day will develop your core tactical knowledge and skills to help clients. Learn how to effectively represent your client debts in legal proceedings. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 4.
It is worth 12 CPD hours.
This is a core course for those seeking MAS accreditation at Advice Work or above. / Belfast
Business Debts: Self-Employed Clients and Directors of Limited Companies
(SP) / 1 Day Course:
Monday 19th October / As in many areas of money advice it is vital that advisers understand some key points before advising on Business Debts. This course will enable you to advise and assist individuals with business debts when they have ceased trading and to make appropriate referrals where they continue to trade. You will be given an overview of business type, budgets, and factors that affect viability. You will also learn about allowable expenses, capital allowances and how tax is assessed. This specialist level course will soon be accredited with OCNNI at Level 4.
It is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Using the Consumer Credit Act in Practice
(S) / 1 Day workshop after modular e-learning:
Monday 26th October / Following from theWhat is the Consumer Credit Act on-line learning (which is a pre-requisite), this discussion based, and practical day is designed to support your application of the theory and legislation related to the Consumer Credit Act. It will give you the opportunity to build on previous learning and develop your confidence and skills when dealing with customer enquiries. This course will be accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
This blended course is worth 18 CPD hours: 12 modules of on-line learning and 6 CPD hours for this course. / Belfast
Understanding Debts & Courts in Northern Ireland
(S) / 2 Day Course:
Day 1:
Monday 2nd
November
Day 2:
Monday 9th November / This skilled level course will enable you to understand the structures, jurisdiction, and procedures of courts in NI in relation to debt cases and bring this to life with a court visit. Whilst this course is not part of the MAS accredited cluster. It is a pre-requisite for Skills for Effective Advocacy which is a requirement for Case work and Specialist MAS accreditation. This course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
It is worth 8 CPD hours.
/ Belfast
Advanced Mortgage Arrears
(SP) / 1 Day Course:
Monday 16th November / The aim of this course is to enable advisers to feel confident to represent clients in undefended mortgage possession proceedings in Courts. Interactive activities will give you the opportunity to practice in a supportive setting. You will find out the options when possession action has started, what the court take into account and how to handle common proceedings. This specialist level course will soon be accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
This course is worth 6 CPD hours.
/ Belfast
Good Practice: Providing High Quality Debt Advice
(G) / 1 Day Course:
Monday 23rd November / This course is designed for advisers dealing with debt at all levels, who want to provide a high quality, effective and measurable debt advice service. It provides an opportunity to explore key factors to promote good practice in dealing with debt cases which includes; cases management, referrals and quality frameworks, including support and supervision. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
This is a core course for those seeking MAS accreditation at Advice Work or above.
It is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Introduction to Providing Debt Advice
(G) / 2 Day Course:
Day 1:
Friday 4th December
Day 2:
Friday 11th December / This generalist level course is accredited with OCNNI at level 3. It will help you understand the basic principles of money advice; explore the nature and extent of a debt problem and how to check your client’s liability.
This course (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for attending other wiseradviser courses. The course is accredited with OCNNI at Level 3.
This is a core course for those seeking MAS accreditation at Initial Contact or Support Work and is a prerequisite for Advice Work or above.
This course is worth 12 CPD hours. / Belfast
Prevention of Homelessness as a Consequence of Debt
(S) / 2 Day Course:
Day 1:
Monday 7th December
Day 2:
Monday 14th December / This skilled level course has been developed in conjunction with Housing Rights Services and is accredited with OCNNI at level 3. It will help you to advise with confidence on mortgage and rent arrears understanding court powers and procedures as well as options available to clients; explain the orders made by the court in relation to housing arrears, repossessions, as well as re-housing options available to the client.

This course is worth 6 CPD hours. / Belfast
Credit Referencing: The Essentials
(S) / One Hour Course
Register anytime / Learn what a credit reference file is and the information it contains. Find out how to advise clients who have been victims of credit fraud, have been turned down for credit or wish to improve their credit rating. This course is a module of the Insolvency Options course accredited with OCNNI at level 3.

This is a core course for those seeking MAS accreditation at Advice Work or above.