Course Directory

A full day course introducing the Welfare Benefits Framework to new advisers.  We look at the relationship between claimant needs and entitlement, and consider the relationships between Contributory, Means Tested and other Benefits. We also look at how disability and carer benefits form part of the package.

This half day course introduces Universal Credit to those with little or no experience.  We look at how Universal Credit is put together​ and which elements should be included for which claimants.  We look at supporting people to claim​, recognising and avoiding the many pitfalls along the way​.

This half-day course is designed for anyone who wants to better understand the relationship between work and benefits for people with disabilities.  By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

• Recognise which Benefits apply to people with Disabilities

• Understand how working hours and earnings impact on those benefits

• Recognise how working impacts on Carers Allowance

This half day course looks at how someone can be either treated as having or classed as having limited capability for work, or limited capability for work related activity.  We'll look at the different routes to LCW and LCWRA understand how to apply descriptors to client circumstances,​ and how to complete the new WCA50.  We'll consider how to prepare a client for the assessment, and look at the impact of LCW and LCWRA other benefits​.

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This half-day course is designed for Citizens Advice advisers who want to make sure that their CASEBook case records are as good as they can be. The Quality of Advice Audit stipulates what needs to be recorded and how, and this course will show you how to meet those requirements every time. 

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NOW UPDATED TO REFLECT THE RENTERS RIGHTS ACT 2025.  This half day course examines the relationship between housing status and housing rights - looking at the balance between a tenant being able to exercise their rights, and the risk of their being evicted.  We look at the key characteristics of the most common tenures and the legislation on which they are based.  We'll examine the steps of the Possession Process and discuss the rules around tenancy deposit schemes.​

This 90 minute course will help advisers understand the impact of the Renters Rights Act on tenants, both before and after the implementation.  We'll look at the changes to tenancies, grounds for eviction, rent increases and protections from discrimination introduced by the Act.  We'll also cover the implementation schedule, including future changes, and enforcement action available to tenants whose rights have been breached. 

​This half day course looks at the importance of exploring the client's situation fully so that any advice given is based on a full, accurate and sustainable financial statement.  We look at identifying and advising on emergencies, checking and challenging liability and developing a full, accurate and sustainable financial statement.  Please note that this course is not accredited debt learning - it is designed to complement accredited learning by bringing it to life in an interactive learning environment.  

This half-day course will provide a general introduction to Family advice issues.  We’ll start by looking at the main rights and obligations associated with marriage, cohabiting and civil partners, and the differences between them.  We’ll consider the legal consequences of relationship breakdown in terms of housing, domestic abuse, children (access, maintenance arrangements), debt and benefits.  We’ll look at the signposting options for support and legal advice.

This half day course is an introduction to why, how and when to challenge a benefits decision.  Focusing on PIP decisions (but entirely applicable to other benefits) we look at how to establish grounds for your challenge, the timescales and processes of requesting an MR, and what to expect from a decision.

This half day course is designed to ensure that claimants submit a successful application first time around.  We look at the claim process, including how to complete the PIP2 form effectively, and how to prepare a claimant for their Assessment. 

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In this half day we'll identify the rates associated with each element in a claim, and to calculate the Housing Cost element and Childcare elements within a claim.  We cover how work allowances and taper rates are applied, and look the ways capital and income are taken into account.  We'll also get on top of Assessment Periods and changes of circumstances.

This half-day course is for anyone who helps people to apply for Attendance Allowance.

Delegates will be able to describe the structure and eligibility rules of AA, and explain the application process.  We'll look at how to interpret the language of the disability tests, 

practise skills for talking about care needs, and practice completing the application form​.  Finally, we consider where awards of AA may impact on other benefits.​

This practical hands-on course is all about building confidence in advisers to integrate Benefit Checks into the interview process.  We look at the differences between online calculators and look at ways to overcome the pitfalls and challenges with entering claimant data correctly.  We consider how to check the output, and use it to form a cohesive action plan to maximise income.  This course is available as a whole-day intensive course, or a half-day “Getting Started” course with three additional bitesize sessions.

A half day course looking at how to establish employment status, and how this then determines your client's statutory rights; how contracts are formed and how rights arising from them can be enforced.; disciplinary and grievance procedures; and the process and timescales associated with applying to the Employment Tribunal. 

This half-day  course looks at how to help those facing homelessness, including options for staying put, moving on, and support available from Local Authorities. Delegates will understand the process for applying and bidding for social housing,  and learn to recognise how the 5 tests of homelessness are applied in relation to the various duties owed by the Local Authority under Homelessness Legislation.

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This course presents an opportunity for advisers to consider the skills needed for negotiating effectively and creating a win / win situation for clients.  We’ll consider different models for negotiation, and look at how to prepare for a negotiation; and how to structure a negotiation by letter, email or telephone.  We’ll look at how to deal with a response from the other party, and how to recognise when to conclude negotiations.

This half day course looks at the most common debt solutions, from bankruptcy, debt relief orders, IVAs and Administration orders.  We consider the circumstances in which these are most and least appropriate, and consider how to ensure that our clients are able to make informed choices about the actions they want to take.  Please note that this course is not accredited debt learning - it is designed to complement accredited learning by bringing it to life in an interactive learning environment.  

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​This half-day course will look at the different people your clients may need to care for.  We’ll consider children, including parental responsibility, support and intervention by the local authority, and kinship carers.  We’ll look at the issues around finding and paying for care, and support for carers. We’ll finish by looking at Power of Attorney and dealing with the affairs of others.

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This whole-day interactive course is designed for those with a good understanding of the welfare benefits system, who want to help clients challenge benefit decisions.  By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Complete the processes required before appeals can be lodged

• Describe the appeal process, including timescales and forms

• Prepare the appeal submission using evidence based on Statute or regulations, and on case law

• Support the client for the hearing

• Follow up an appeal hearing decision

Delegates will need access to either a copy of the CPAG Welfare Benefits Handbook, or to the online version, and be familiar with how to use them.