About
Us
We Are Debt Free Advice
Our trained and accredited advisors support individuals with all types of money worries - from rent and council tax arrears, to credit card and catalogue debt. We work with clients to prioritise their bills & debts, helping them to write letters and advocating on their behalf.
The most common types of debt we help with remain council tax bills, rent arrears, and credit or store card loans. Both council tax and rent arrears are ‘priority debts’ which can have serious consequences for the individual – including the threat of bailiffs, homelessness or even imprisonment.
Values at Debt Free Advice
To help guide our service we have seven values to ensure Debt Free Advice is accessible, trustworthy and on your side. These values were written by our Fair Finance Panel, a panel made up of 23 people who have received advice from us in the past.
Be independent and on the client's side
By:
- Being client focused
- Acting with integrity
- Treating the client with empathy and respect
- Offering confidential and impartial advice
- Being transparent about how the advice is funded
- Speaking out about unfairness when we find it
Be visible and easy to access
By:
- Having a clear, jargon free website
- Making sure that other services can refer easily to us
- Ensuring all physical spaces can be accessed by all
- Offering a variety of ways to get advice and contact the adviser (in person, phone, sms, WhatsApp, email, webchat etc.)
- Explaining to the client how, when, and how long their advisor will work with them
Providing a high quality debt advice service
By:
- Investing in staff through training and information to keep their skills and knowledge up to date
- Ensuring that advisors keep accurate records of advice and confirm advice to the client where required
- Checking the quality of advisors’ work
- Ensuring experienced supervisors are in place to support advisors in their work and wellbeing
- Giving clients the opportunity to give feedback on the service they have received
- Innovating to improve advice and access to meet client needs
Care for our client’s health and wellbeing
By:
- Seeing beyond the client’s presenting issue
- Referring the client to organisations that can help them tackle the challenges that they face
- Help develop the client’s skills and confidence through empowerment in the debt advice process
Have a wider impact
By:
- Assessing causes of debt and sharing that information in an anonymous way
- Challenging unfair practices and legislation
- Challenging the stigma associated with people facing financial difficulties and poverty
Be committed to diversity and inclusivity
By:
- Maintaining a non-judgmental and open attitude to all clients
- Acknowledging the extent to which both societal factors as well as life experiences can affect the client’s financial circumstances
- Deepen relationships with all people in our communities
- Challenge discrimination and tackle systemic inequality
Be there for the community
By:
- Listening to the needs of the communities that we serve
- Working with partners to make change happen for the community
- Encouraging a cohesive and aspirational community
