The Debt Advice Network

The Debt Advice Network is a registered charity whose primary function is to provide free, impartial, professional, face-to-face advice to people with debt problems. The Network attained charitable status in June 2008, having provided debt advice to the public since 2005.  We hope to be funded eventually by grants, but meanwhile our funding comes from Gift Aid.

The Debt Advice Network has been attracting endorsements and referrals from major employers, trade unions, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Government Agencies, professional Landlords, the Armed Forces etc., and from other charities, as well as receiving direct enquiries via its website. Expansion continues, with the ultimate aim of providing a nationwide debt advice service. The service provided by the charity is far-reaching, but In the current economic climate the need for such a service has far outstripped the availability of advisors. The recruitment and training of advisors remains on the Critical Path.

A large portion of the cases are dealt with in-house by The Charity, whilst the rest are referred to external specialists. This is necessary because we are not licenced to hold client money to distribute to creditors, and nor are we in a position to employ insolvency practitioners for IVAs or even lawyers where legal advice is required. As well as addressing problems related to mortgage and rent arrears, there are a huge number and variety of other debt-related problems that we deal with on a daily basis. We are also starting to meet clients who are in their twilight years, who are equity rich but cash poor and unable to live within their means, so there is a need for us to build a register of advisors who are qualified in this field as well. We have found that many of these clients are not even aware that such a solution exists for them.

 
The Charity has established ethical principles and guidelines. The client is always the Charity’s first concern and success is measured by the number of individuals receiving our free advice are ultimately left in a better position than when they first contacted us and have ultimately avoided a repossession or eviction through better management of their debts via solutions best suited to their needs.

The primary concern of the Charity is always, the correct and successful resolution of debt problems.

Market correction or Armageddon?

The sustained rise in unemployment is making a bad situation worse.  Grant Shapps, the Shadow Housing Minister, released a report which finds that 44% of mortgage holders are worried about being able to maintain their mortgage payments in 2009 and 47% of local authority and housing association tenants are worried about being able to maintain their rent payments. In addition, 41% of private renters worry that they won’t be able to pay the rent over the next 12 months.

Latest research from Mintel shows that 2008 has seen a seismic shift in the key issues keeping people awake at night. Since the start of the year financial issues have replaced crime as the nation's greatest worries.

If you are unconvinced that there is a desperate market for your expertise, below are some statistics (published February) which we are sure you will find shocking:

• 1 in every 33 people in work are estimated to be made redundant in 2009. (2,831 people were made redundant every day in between September & November 2008)
• Total unemployment for 2009 is expected to surpass the projected figure of 3 million
• In the last 3 months of 2008 the total number of secured loans on people’s homes in arrears was 340,000
• Further research from Mintel shows that over 5 million adults have already been 'Hard Hit' by the economic downturn and are seriously struggling to make ends meet (and  worse is yet to come)
• More than half the population (52%) are now 'Feeling the Pinch'
• 150,000 personal insolvencies are expected in 2009 (IVA and bankruptcies)
• The number of people who spend more than they earn each month has risen to nearly 5.3 million according to Legal and General.

Training

Advisors are required to attend a two-day initial training program followed by regular and on-going development to maintain competency. This may include external training courses.

5th Call is a company formed by specialists in the processing of debt-related business functions, and has been contracted by the Debt Advice Network to perform the following tasks:

1. To set up a training programme for Debt Advisors, operating from several strategically-placed centres around the UK.

2. To recruit & train advisors, drawn from skilled, experienced mortgage brokers and IFAs. The Charity will issue trained advisors with a membership and operating licence.

3. To engage & train staff for follow-up of enquiries & back-office duties.

4. To manage all day-to-day administration of the central office.

5^th Call is self-funded and does not receive any financial contribution from the charity.

Advisor’s Income

The work you carry out on behalf of the charity is voluntary. However, you will be compensated for the work you do on behalf of any external organisations involved, and we expect this to be in line with market rates. For more information please call 0300 011 2340 option 3 and speak to the advisor recruitment team.

Cost of Membership & Running Costs

Membership is an annual £1000 split as follows:

• £500 on joining paid to Debt Advice Network. (Initial training and resources). This is the only contribution you will make to the charity.
• £500 paid 6 months later to 5^th Call (who will provide ongoing training, monitoring, resources and maintain your competency).

Running Costs: admin, marketing and processing:

• £100 per month, but only chargeable when the following conditions are met:
  • have completed training
  • have received first enquiry  
  • pipeline enquiries coming through

How to join
If you have any questions that you would like to talk through, please phone the advisor recruitment team  

0300 011 2340 option 3
(0300 numbers are special charity cheap-rate numbers, both for landlines and for mobiles).

Or you can email your questions to us here:  admin@debtadvicenetwork.org

To apply on-line now  CLICK HERE.

To pay membership fees  CLICK HERE

For Frequently asked Questions  CLICK HERE.

Or you can write to us at: