Course Outline

We live in unprecedented times! Covid-19 is disrupting every part of our lives and driving up unemployment, debt, and customers in vulnerable circumstances - within our communities.   

This course will ensure that you and your staff have the skills to identify and support customers in vulnerable circumstances, as well as meet your legal responsibilities.  

By adopting a supportive and ethical approach to recovering debt, you’ll help your organisation to recover more debt in the long term. You’ll also help to boost your reputation and prevent worsening the mental wellbeing of your customers. 

What you’ll Learn: 

By the end of this course you’ll be able to understand: 

• .What we mean by customers in vulnerable circumstances.  
• How to support customers with mental health problems and addictions (i.e., alcohol and substance misuse, gambling, etc.)  
• How to recognise appropriate and inappropriate language around suicide. 
• How to offer support to suicidal callers and understand the risk factors.  
• How to look after our own mental health 
• How to apply the TEXAS protocol for handling disclosure of sensitive personal information.  
• How to effectively signpost vulnerable customers to obtain free, independent legal and financial advice. 
• How to help vulnerable customers to obtain a debt respite under the Breathing Space Regulations.  

 Topics Covered:

• The Scale of Vulnerability
• Defining Vulnerability 
• Recognising and recording when someone is vulnerable 
• Covid pandemic – how has this impacted on vulnerable clients? 
• Language around suicide- what is appropriate and what is not appropriate language? 
• Samaritans – ‘Small Talk, Saves Lives’ campaign, with 2 short videos 
• The connection between Mental Health and Debt 
• Self-care. How do we look after our own Mental Health?  
• Talking techniques 
• The TEXAS approach for supporting Customers 
• Understanding ‘High Priority Debts’ 
• Options for clearing debts  
• Referring customers to support services 
• Breathing Space regulations 

Who’s it for? 

The course is perfect for all staff who deal with customers in debt including recovery staff and customer service staff working in Local Authorities, Social Housing, Utilities and other industry sectors.  

How it's delivered 

This course is delivered ‘live on-line’ with a trainer and can be accessed via a PC, Mac or Tablet. With live online, you can interact, ask questions and practice new skills – all without leaving your desk! Perfect for dispersed teams working from home. 

Pricing:

The scheduled course costs £195 plus VAT per delegate. If you book four places or more, you get 20% off the total price. The price of a closed course for up to 12 delegates is £995 plus VAT.  

Please get in touch for a quote if you would like to book a live online course date for your organisation only.