Frontline Worker Money Trainer
Profile
As individuals and communities struggle with the expenses of everyday life, organisations whose business is people and the community, must
play a part in increasing their financial wellbeing. It has become essential to train frontline workers within an organisation, to tackle the topic
of financial inclusion. Deciding who can take on the role of Money Trainer will depend on the nature of the organisation and the impact the
Money Trainer will have on their service users.
Attempt to reduce the
barriers to financial inclusion
Be the familiar face within an
organisation who can engage
with its service users
Have the interpersonal skills to
communicate effectively with
service users
Support service users to change
attitudes & habits around money
matters
FRONTLINE WORKER –
MONEY TRAINER
Look to bridge the gap between
the community and the
organisation
Display empathy and a nonjudgemental attitude for
service users’ financial issues
Raise awareness of money
matters through outreach
services in community settings
Train to confidently impart
information and tips on how to
become more financially capable
Money Trainers within Organisations
Schools/ Children’s Centres:
Parent Support/Liaison/Children’s Centre Co-ordinator
Changes in Welfare Benefits, the high costs of living and unemployment, amongst other issues, has meant that supporting parents to gain
financial confidence and knowledge will help to alleviate some of the pressures of family life. Getting parents to consider the benefits of
saving for future expenses such as a child’s education, unexpected situations like a washing machine breaking down, can only aid in improving
a family’s financial wellbeing.
Financial hardship within families can have a detrimental effect on the attainment levels of children. This in turn can impact on behaviour
which reinforces the cycle of hopelessness for both parent and child. Therefore it is important for support staff to commit to strengthening
families through financial capability work.
Housing Providers:
Housing Officers/ Community Engagement Officers/ Welfare Reform Teams/ Residents Association Coordinators
A multitude of changes to welfare benefits has meant that Social Housing tenants have been impacted greatly in the amount of Housing
Benefit they receive, with many having to make up the shortfall themselves or risk losing their home. It is important for Housing Providers to
take the initiative to help tenants sustain their tenures, which in turn benefits providers.
Financial capability support from Housing Providers for their tenants can result in reduced arrears and therefore fewer eviction orders.
Supporting tenants to budget for household expenses such as rent, gas and electricity will reduce debt and prepare them for the challenges
they may face with the introduction of Universal Credit, where Housing Benefit will be paid directly to the tenant.
Mental Health/Disability Organisations:
Support Workers/ Benefit Adviser
Cuts in disability benefits and more rigorous medical assessments for eligibility have impacted on individuals with mental health conditions and
physical disabilities, with many struggling to meet day to day living expenses.
People with mental health issues, often find themselves overwhelmed by financial matters – not always having the capacity to seek advice and
put plans into action for financial stability. They are also open to financial abuse as often their financial matters are handled by others – a
carer, family member or friend.
Many find themselves being coerced into taking out loans from unscrupulous sources, further exacerbating their financial hardships and
health. Supporting them to become more financially aware will have the added benefit of integrating them into society as many feel excluded
and vulnerable due do their health issues.
Women’s Groups:
Teachers/ Support Workers/ welfare benefit advisers
In many households, particularly in BME ones, women are often excluded from the financial decisions of that household with the men
controlling the allocation of income (benefits or earned). This is likely to become more of an issue under Universal Credit, where benefits will
be paid monthly, into one account in the household.
Financial capability support for women is aimed at building their knowledge and confidence around money matters, as relying on a partner
may work for some, but what happens when personal circumstances change and that partner is no longer there or incapable of financial
dealings anymore? Therefore it is important to start supporting women early to prevent hardship and helplessness.
GP/Health Centres:
GPs/Health visitors/ Practice Nurses
Often a patient’s reason for attending a Doctor’s appointment could be as a result of underlying financial issues. We are aware how financial
stresses can impact on health, e.g. depression/anxiety, headaches/body pain, hair/weight loss, to name but a few and therefore if staff are
aware of financial capability issues they can sign post patients to the relevant organisation, e.g. Advice Centre.
Older Peoples Groups:
Support workers/ Sheltered Housing Officers/ Community Development Workers
Although older people can generally manage their finances, changes in financial products and services means that the opportunity to learn
about these is not always available, particularly as many financial products and benefit applications move online. Most elderly people do not
have access to computers or do not have the confidence and knowledge to use them.
Support/community development workers can take the initiative to inform and guide their service users through these changes, by keeping
informed and receiving financial capability training themselves.
Advice Centre:
Advisers/ Volunteers
Advisers offer solutions to a client’s debt issue but they don’t address the reasons as to why a client is in debt, particularly those who find
themselves struggling financially with mounting debt. It is beneficial for clients to have financial capability support whilst their debt issues are
being resolved. Looking at how one can economise to make savings, consider switching tariffs or utility companies etc. can only help in
ensuring become clients become more financially healthy.
Advisers/volunteers imparting proactive and preventative measures to reduce financial hardship will enable clients to take more control in
their financial matters.