WEST
DUNBARTONSHIRE
CITIZENS
ADVICE
BUREAU
CAB Aims and
Principles
Welcome to the CAB Service
CAB Aims and Principles
Objectives

explain the work of WDCAB

explain the Basic Training Programme

explain the twin aims and why they are of equal
importance

explain the importance of supporting and promoting
the aims of the CAB Service

identify and describe the six principles that relate to
your work as an adviser
CAB Aims and Principles
Basic Training Programme

Housekeeping

What we hope to achieve

Styles and Techniques

Venues

Process
Enquiry topic areas
CAB Aims and Principles
The CAB Service in Scotland
The Scottish CAB Service:

makes a real difference in
peoples’ lives

provides free, confidential,
independent and impartial
advice on a range of issues

has over 2,000 volunteers
and many paid advisers who
provide front-line advice in
more than 200 locations.
CAB Aims and Principles
The twin aims

to ensure that individuals do
not suffer through ignorance
of their rights and responsibilities
or of the services available; or through
an inability to express their needs

to exercise a responsible influence on
the development of social policies and
services, both locally and nationally
CAB Aims and Principles
The twin aims

The first is to do with enabling people to
manage their individual problems
AND THE OTHER
• Is to do with preventing similar problems
arising for other people
The second aim: social policy

Local social policy work
– campaigning
– raising awareness of local issues with local politicians
– meeting with local groups, politicians

National social policy work
– providing formal and informal evidence
– responding to consultation papers
– producing research reports, briefing sheets, briefing papers
– organising or attending awareness-raising meetings
CAB Aims and Principles
The twelve principles
CAB Aims and Principles
Six key principles for advisers

free

confidential

impartial

independent

client’s right to decide

empowerment
CAB Aims and Principles
1 Free

CAB clients are not charged
for advice, regardless of
their income.
CAB Aims and Principles
2 Confidential
CAB Aims and Principles
3 Impartial
CAB Aims and Principles
3 Impartial
“I wouldn’t let
her do that –
she needs to
finish her
education!”
“Living together?
What happened to
marriage? That’s
the problem with
society today!”
“He’s twice
her age! It’ll
end in tears.”
“She could
end up
pregnant if
she’s not
careful!”
CAB Aims and Principles
4 Independent

No outside
agency (eg local
council, benefits
agency, etc)
influences the
advice that is
given to clients.
CAB Aims and Principles
5 Client’s right to decide
The client needs to decide:

what outcome they want

which problem to focus on first

what action to take

who will carry out the action(s)
(client or bureau)
CAB Aims and Principles
6 Empowerment
CAB Aims and Principles
The other six principles

accessible

effective

accountable

voluntary

information retrieval

generalist
CAB Aims and Principles
CAB – a general advice service

Fundamental to the CAB is belief in the
individual’s rights

Individuals need to know about their rights
(and their responsibilities)

We will seek to offer accurate and up-to-date
information in a way that can be easily
understood
We will also…..
Because being informed about rights may
not be enough, we will also:
– Provide practical assistance
– Negotiate on behalf of the client
– Represent clients at Court or at
Tribunals
What we’re looking for…

volunteers who are willing to learn

team players

a non-judgemental approach

A commitment to core principles

A minimum of 6 hours per week
A good CAB adviser

Will treat clients with respect and will seek to
quickly establish a rapport

Will be tactful and sensitive to the individual
needs of clients

Will learn how to diagnose problems and
interpret information

advise and assist clients with both simple
and complex problems
What we offer….

comprehensive training

support

a supportive, friendly working envirionemnt

variety

the chance to develop new skills (or utiliise existing
skills)

the chance to make a difference
Support from CAS
administration
development
fundraising
information
information
technology (IT)
press & publicity
quality assurance
second-tier
consultancy
social policy
training
CAB Aims and Principles
Summary

As CAB advisers, it is important that
you support and promote the aims of
the CAB Service.

The CAB Service has two aims – the ‘twin aims’ – and
they are of equal importance.

The CAB Service has twelve principles that underpin
the work of the service, and six of these relate directly
to your work as an adviser.
CAB Aims and Principles