It is our belief that there is a large untapped resource of compassionate and caring people in our churches, some of whom may well find their calling in debt counselling. We feel that helping people who fall into debt is a community need, which local churches are able to get involved with and make a real difference in people’s lives. We provide assistance to such churches by offering courses in debt and benefit advice, with on-going support if required.

These courses are about the basics of debt advice and do not assume any previous knowledge of the subject. The topics covered include interview techniques, preparing a financial statement, legal matters and an overview of the benefit system.

The basic course consists of approximately 8 – 10 hours training which can take place over a weekend, a number of evenings or tailored to your individual needs. Course fees are kept to a minimum and assistance with these costs may be available if needed.

On completion, participants will be able to undertake supervised debt casework whilst gaining practical experience. This can be by:

1. Starting a new office in partnership with Frontline Debt Advice (UK). 

2. Starting a new independent office but in association with Frontline.

3. Joining an existing team.

Starting a new Frontline office.

Frontline Debt Advice (UK) wants people to have the opportunity to receive free, accurate and helpful advice close to where they live. We are therefore willing to consider new advisers who want to open a new office becoming part the Frontline Charity.
We will provide:

1. A telephone / e-mail help line for advisers.

2. On-going in-service training, supervision and support at your base.

3. An opportunity to reduce costs, by sharing expenses such as insurance.

4. Further and more advanced training sessions, as and when needed.

5. Confidence; you are part of a bigger family, not alone. We will support you in every way we can.  An outworking of the family support can be seen in the twice yearly Gatherings, where staff from all the offices meet together for a day. We talk, pray, laugh, learn some new skills and look at the way ahead.  It is also a good opportunity to eat a meal together.

Frontline expects relationships to be two way. We will have an expectation that you will be open to our (friendly) supervision and will be willing to ask for advice when you need it.

Apart from being responsible for a partial share of joint costs, we will need to ask you to make a small contribution towards the costs of our central services and travel expenses.  However, as a Christian charity, we will never ask you to give us more than you can afford.

Starting a new independent office

We recognize that some new advisers will not want to (or cannot) work as part of our charity, because of their particular circumstances. However, we would still be willing to consider offering ongoing assistance.

It is essential that people planning to offer debt advice in this way must obtain a license from the Office of Fair Trading together with suitable insurance cover plus a number of other requirements.

We will provide:

1. A telephone / e-mail help line for advisers

2. Further training support if requested.

There will be a charge made for this service, which can be discussed when we meet to consider your wish to become associated with Frontline. We will also wish to discuss issues of responsibility and supervision with you.

Joining an existing team.

If you live in or near a town where there is already a branch, which is part of Frontline, then we would encourage you to consider joining the existing office and hone your skills, as part of the team.  Frontline’s aim is not only to increase the number of offices around the country, but also to increase the quality and number of workers in each of our offices. This is an attractive option, as you can continue training, while working alongside experience advisers.