England & Wales training topics

Which courses are suitable for me?

• New Adviser - gives new advisers an understanding of the basic principles of money advice.
• Advice Work/ Caseworker - develops skills and knowledge further so advisers can to deal with the majority of debt problems.
• Specialist - helps advisers deal with more complex cases.

What topics does Wiseradviser training cover?

Here’s a summary of some of our courses. We are always developing new courses so register/ log in to browse our full current programme.

NEW TRAINING TOPICS 2020-2021

Advising your clients on the Breathing Space scheme – E-learning

The new Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space) represents a significant development for the debt advice process. Our new device responsive e-learning package, developed in partnership with experts from the Citizens Advice Expert Advice Team, will provide you with full details of the breathing space scheme, which will enable you to consider whether a breathing space moratorium is appropriate for your client and enable you to assist your client in applying to the scheme.

By the end of the course trainees will be able to identify:

• whether a client is eligible for breathing space
• whether a client is eligible for a mental health crisis breathing space
• which of the client’s debts are qualifying debts and which are non-qualifying
• how to advise the client about the effect of breathing space moratorium on their debts and how long the moratorium will last
• how to advise their client about the pros and cons of using the breathing space scheme and how to apply to the scheme on their behalf
• the obligations that will be placed on them as a debt adviser when they place a client into a breathing space moratorium including responding to a creditor’s request for a review and midway reviews
• the client’s duties and obligations once they have been placed into a breathing space moratorium

Introduction to welfare benefits – E-learning

Unclaimed benefits mean that individuals and their families may not be getting the financial support they are entitled to. Maximising income and checking benefit entitlement are an essential element of debt advice. Our 60 minute e-learning module will provide you with an overview of the benefits system so you can confidently support your clients.

By the end of the course trainees will be able to identify:

• Recognise and define basic terminology including means tested, contributory, income replacement, legacy benefits and passported benefits.
• Identify which benefits fall into each category and how they might fit together.
• Recognise some key benefits and when they might be payable.
• Identify who administers which benefit: DWP, HMRC or local authority.
• Recognise the importance of income maximisation for debt advice casework and identify benefit checker tools to assist.
• Identify when to carry out a benefit check, the type of information needed and when to referral for specialist benefits advice.

Supporting Clients with Addictions - E-learning

Living with addiction can affect the way a person lives their life, and this can lead to financial difficulty. Therefore, it is important to be able to understand, identify and to offer the correct support to clients affected by addiction.

By the end of the course trainees will be able to identify:

• What gambling, drug, and alcohol addiction involves
• How to identify the signs and symptoms of a potential addiction
• How to start a conversation about addiction
• What support you can offer
• Referral organisations.

This course looks at ways to open a conversation about addiction, how to recognise signs of addiction, what you can do to help your clients who are experiencing problems with addictions such as gambling, alcohol and drug addictions and the further support you can direct your clients to.

Surviving Economic Abuse - E-learning

Bringing together the Money Advice Trust’s 25+ years’ experience of providing debt advice and Surviving Economic Abuse’s expertise in this area, this e-learning module supports adviser to gain the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence to recognise and respond to economic abuse.

By the end of the course trainees will be able to identify:

• Define what is meant by domestic and economic abuse
• Recognise the triggers / red flags that could suggest a customer is a victim of domestic and economic abuse through the use of scenarios
• Apply the techniques used in an interaction, to a given scenario, to provide a positive experience for the customer
• Identify the correct organisations / resources which can be used, to signpost the customer to, for further support.

Supporting yourself to support others in times of crisis - Virtual

Explore ways to build your resilience as an adviser including boundaries, emotional intelligence and debriefs. Identify a practical, good practice approach to supporting clients through challenging times including bereavement and suicidal thoughts.

By the end of the course trainees will be able to identify:

• How to respond to triggers and set appropriate boundaries
• How to support bereaved clients
• Ways to support people in crisis or who are suicidal
• How to deescalate angry or abusive interactions
• Useful coping strategies for yourself and your clients
• Some specific tools, techniques and phrases for handling challenging situations
• Some useful signpost and referral agencies, including those specific for clients impacted by Covid-19.

NEW ADVISER TOPICS

Introduction to Debt Advice E-learning

New to money advice? This course will give you the foundations of money advice. It includes how to categorise debts, complete comprehensive budgets, maximise a client’s income, basic signposting and the key actions and implications involved in the money advice process

Universal Credit: an Overview - E-learning

Understand how Universal Credit operates, the issues it creates for your clients and how you can best address these.

Selecting Appropriate Advice Methods and Tools - E-learning

To meet client needs, more and more agencies are reshaping the way in which they deliver advice. This online course explores what blended delivery is and why there is a need for it, using case studies to highlight its use in practice.

Understanding and Supporting Clients in Vulnerable Circumstances - E-learning

This course looks at what vulnerability is and introduces ways to identify, safeguard and support clients in vulnerable circumstances.

Standard Financial Statement: Advisers - E-learning

This course introduces you to the Standard Financial Statement (SFS) and how to use it with your clients when giving them debt advice. It is suitable for advisers of all levels of experience and takes less than an hour to complete.

Good Practice: Providing High Quality Debt Advice - Virtual

Designed to help advisers to provide high quality, effective and measurable debt advice, this course provides an opportunity to explore key aspects of good practice including: case management, referrals and quality frameworks, support and supervision.

ADVICE WORK/ CASEWORK TOPICS

Business Debts: Self-Employed Clients and Directors of Limited Companies - Virtual

As in many areas of money advice it is vital that advisers understand some key points before advising on Business Debts. This two day 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. Its main focus is on sole traders without employees, although some of the law and principles equally apply to other types of business.

Getting to Grips with Your Personal Caseload - E-learning

The learning looks at why and how a good case record should be created, reviewed, progressed and kept confidential.

Parking Penalties: The Essentials - E-learning

This course will help you to understand the Penalty Charge Notice(PCN) procedure, in order to appropriately advise clients. It also covers the informal and formal options available to challenge a PCN.

Credit Referencing: The Essentials - E-learning

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.

Introduction to Student Loans - E-learning

A look at the types of student loans you may come across, and what to do if a client has arrears. It also touches on advising current students on additional financial help

Consumer Credit Act: the Basics - E-learning

This course aims to give you a basic understanding of the Consumer Credit Act (CCA): why it was introduced, what it covers, the definition of credit and other relevant terms.

Consumer Credit Act: Checking the Agreement - E-learning

Understand the legal protection the Consumer Credit Act gives the borrower of a regulated credit agreement, if the agreement is ‘improperly executed’.

Consumer Credit Act: Unfair Relationships Provisions - E-learning

This course introduces you to the unfair relationships provisions. These allow a borrower to challenge a loan agreement or any related agreement which could create an ‘unfair relationship’ between them and the lender. You’ll also see the options open to a borrower if they feel an agreement is unfair.

Consumer Credit Act: Lender Obligations (Post contract) - E-learning

This course aims to give you a general understanding of a lender’s obligations to a borrower under the Consumer Credit Act (CCA), and a borrower’s options should they fall into arrears.

Consumer Credit Act: Hire Purchase, Bills of Sale and Car Finance Agreements - E-learning

Learn about different ways to finance buying a car and key facts about the different types of agreement, including how to advise, your client’s rights and where to find out more.

Consumer Credit Act: Time Orders - E-learning

Learn about the Time Orders provisions for debts which are regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA). This course aims to give you a basic understanding of the Time Orders provisions for debts which are regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA).

Debts in the County Court: a Detailed Overview - E-learning

An essential course for Caseworker level advisers, this provides a detailed insight into County Court and High Court procedures. As you go through the online modules you will learn how to handle day to day situations with clients, and become familiar with common forms and terms that are used. By the end of the course you will be able to assist the client in responding to County Court Judgments and enforcement proceedings. After this course you can enhance your skills by attending our Debts in the County Court Practitioners Workshop.

Debts in the High Court

In this course we look at when and how the High Court may be used by creditors to enforce money judgments. It

is aimed at advisers who have completed the Debts in the County Court Learning Pathway, or who have a working knowledge of the county court system.

What are the Insolvency Options? - E-learning

To give holistic advice to clients, advisers need to know about a range of insolvency options: Administration Orders, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Orders (DROs). This course has sections on understanding and practicing each of these topics so you can learn or revise what you need to know. You can attend the Insolvency Options Workshop after completing this course which is a practical day designed to build on knowledge gained from the online learning. Advisers wishing to be approved intermediaries need to pass assessments within this course, before attending the Debt Relief Orders Workshop.

Advising Clients with Utility Debts - E-learning

Want to build your confidence in helping your clients with utility arrears? This course looks at the options available for dealing with them, including links to schemes that can help. This bite-sized online course covers three key topics: water, electricity and gas.

Payday Loans: The Facts - E-learning

In the current climate advisers are increasingly finding that their clients have debts from payday loans. This online module will help you deal with common problems encountered and know how best to advise a client. It also covers the background of payday loans, including current social issues and how they are regulated.

Recovering Financial Penalties in the Magistrates’ Court - Virtual

This course aims to empower advisers with the skills and knowledge to get more involved in Magistrates’ Court action and understand how this can help avoid clients being committed to prison. It is a practical day with interactive exercises which will leave you with confidence in supporting clients faced with Magistrates’ Court action and financial penalties.

Council Tax: Liability and Enforcement - Virtual

Making sure that clients are accessing all the support available to them is an essential part of a money adviser’s role. This course will enable you to assist the client in accessing schemes to reduce their bill as much as possible. The course also covers billing, liability order and enforcement procedures and spends a short time looking at the rights and duties of bailiffs when collecting Council Tax debt.

Mental Health: Good Practice for Debt Advisers - Virtual

To assist clients with mental health problems to gain control of their debts advisers need a particular set of skills and knowledge. After attending this course you will understand mental health problems clients may have and how this may affect their ability to deal with their debts. You will be aware of the MALG Mental Health Guidelines and know how to apply them to negotiate with creditors.

Negotiation and Communication: Strategies and Tactics - Virtual

This course focuses on identifying the different tactics required for negotiation and how to put these into practice. It’s designed to provide you with tips and strategies for successful negotiating in any situation. It is highly participative with exercises and discussions.

Rent Arrears: Your Client’s Status, Rights and Options - Virtual

Following on from the Rent Arrears online module, attending this day will enable you to assist clients to select strategies for dealing with rent arrears prior to possession proceedings.

Tailoring Advice: Strategies and Options for Dealing with Debt - Virtual

There are many codes of practice, guidelines, and tried and tested strategies which enhance our casework. This course will support you in working with clients to develop and implement a strategy and framework for the management of their case.

Mortgage Arrears: Before Possession Action - Virtual

This course will enable you to identify the main options for dealing with mortgage arrears prior to possession action being taken by lenders. It guides you through County Court possession procedures and through all the relevant court forms to familiarise yourselves with the information necessary to gain the appropriate court order. It also looks at the most important legislation and case law relevant to possession.

Mortgage Possession Proceedings: Helping or Representing Clients Facing County Court Action - Virtual

The aim of this course is to enable advisers to feel confident to represent clients in undefended mortgage possession proceedings in the County Courts. Interactive activities give you the opportunity to practice in a friendly setting. Trainees are required to have attended the Wiseradviser Dealing with Mortgage Arrears course before attending this course.

Debts in the County Court: Putting it into Practice - Virtual

Following on from the Debts in the County Court online course, this discussion based, practical day will develop your core tactical knowledge and skills to help clients deal with straightforward undefended county court cases.

Insolvency Options: Putting it Into Practice - Virtual

The Insolvency online learning course provides foundation knowledge of the different options and this course helps advisers to develop their skills in putting this into practice. The course will build on advisers’ ability to recognise statutory demands and creditors petitions and be aware of the client’s options for dealing with them.

Debt Relief Orders: Approved Intermediaries - Virtual

Advisers who wish to become Approved Intermediaries for DROs can attend this workshop after completing the Insolvency online course. In this practical day you will review a case study and explore the role of the intermediary in more detail. For more information about the application process to be an Approved Intermediary, contact the appropriate Competent Authority.

SPECIALIST

Defending Money Claims in the County Court - Virtual

Experienced advisers will benefit from this course by learning how to establish whether the client has an arguable defence to a claim, and will look at catalogue debts in particular. It also clarifies the limits to an adviser’s involvement and making appropriate referrals.

Skills for Effective Advocacy - Virtual

This course covers the key skills used in effective advocacy, and provides an opportunity to practice and improve those skills. This course will look closely at the expectations of clients and of ourselves in the role of advocates, and is designed to enhance the skills of advisers representing debt clients in legal proceedings.

Time Limits for Recovering Debts through the Courts - Virtual

In addition to considering the provisions of the Limitation Act itself, this course focuses on two main topics relating to money advice and the Act: credit debts and mortgage shortfall debts. The course aims to describe the relevance of limitation periods in money advice casework. It will inform you about how to pursue limitation issues with creditors and how to use statute and case law in support of limitation arguments.

Time Orders - Virtual

Time Orders can be an effective method of gaining extra time to pay an agreement regulated by the Consumer Credit Act. This course enables specialist level advisers to identify when a Time Order is appropriate. It looks in detail at the powers of the court to grant Time Orders, and the arguments to support the making of such Orders. They can also be used to freeze interest and charges where perhaps a creditor has refused.

Taking Control of Goods - Virtual

Understand the crucial details you need to know about bailiffs.