Welfare
CPAG is renowned for its expertise in welfare rights. Our information, support and training are essential for those working in advice, support and advocacy. Get the knowledge, skills and confidence you need with our Scotland training courses covering UK and Scottish benefits.
Book now at cpag.org.uk/scotland/training
Training courses
Our courses range in topic and training level to suit all learning requirements and are run online by our experienced trainers, in small class groups.
Courses run over a half-day or two half-days, from 10am to 1pm. Our Introduction to welfare rights course is delivered over six half-days.
Many of our courses cover the skills and knowledge required to meet the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers. For further details please see cpag.org.uk/training-and-events/scottish-national-standards
Training fees
In addition to the discounted prices listed above, CPAG members benefit from a 20% discount on seminar and conference tickets, and a 15% discount on books and subscriptions. If your organisation regularly sends participants to our training, consider an organisational membership.
Visit cpag.org.uk/membership for full details on the benefits of becoming a member.
Levels
We provide training for all experience levels. Our courses are graded at three levels.
Introductory
Standard
For people new to benefit advice work, or who have little or no experience of the subject covered by the course.
For people with a working knowledge of the benefit system, or the subject covered by the course. These are suitable for people wanting a refresher, or to update skills or information.
For more experienced benefit advisers, who are confident about covering issues in more, and sometimes complex detail.
In-house online training
It can be more cost effective to have training delivered in-house when you have a group of staff to train. All of our online training courses can be delivered in-house. Or we can help you to design a tailored training package from awareness sessions for any frontline staff to training for specialist advisers.
For a quote and more information contact training@cpagscotland.org.uk or call 0141 552 3303
The use of breakout rooms was great, I’d never done that before and I think it worked really well.
ELearning
Try our free and easy to access eLearning courses at cpag.org.uk/training-and-events/ elearning. They’re designed to be taken online at a time and pace that suits you. We can also create eLearning specially for your organisation or provide eLearning packages for you to host on your organisation’s learning management system.
Contact kturner@cpagscotland.org.uk
I just wanted to say how amazing your training was. I am a new adviser, and I’ve never worked in a role like this before. It’s actually my first proper job post uni, so completely new to everything.
Advice line
Free, independent, expert and up-to-date advice on benefits for frontline advisers and support workers in Scotland.
Phone 0141 552 0552 Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm and Friday 10am to 12 noon
Email advice@cpagscotland.org.uk
The usual high standard from CPAG in Scotland.
Scan for training listings:
Introductory courses
Introduction to welfare rights (six half days) Begins 22 April Ends 1 May
Adult disability payment – an introduction
Benefit basics in Scotland
Benefits and the armed services community
Care-experienced young people and the benefits system
Child disability payment – an introduction 21
Claimants and custody
How to unlock your training potential
Kinship carers and the benefits system
Payments for children in Scotland
Pension age disability payment
Students and benefits – the basics 6
Universal credit – an introduction
Standard courses
Benefits for EEA nationals
Benefits for non-EEA nationals
Carer support payment
Changing decisions – Scottish benefits
Changing decisions – universal credit
Limited capability for work in universal credit
Looking up the law
NEW Managed migration with QBC
Mental health and benefits
Pension age claimants - income maximisation
appeal
QBC – making the most of your calculator NEW Representing at the First-tier Tribunal
Students and benefits – eligibility
Transferring to Scottish disability benefits
Universal credit and students
Universal credit – housing costs
Universal credit – managed migration
Advanced courses
Appeals to the Upper Tribunal
Benefits for EEA nationals – advanced
carers and benefits – an update
Social security law update Students and benefits – an update 29
Universal credit update and tactics
Publications
Ensure your library is up to date with CPAG’s essential handbooks. Purchase books and access free publications at cpag.org.uk
Children’s Handbook Scotland
This yearly Handbook is now free to access online. It’s a comprehensive guide to the benefits available to children living away from their parents, including those in kinship or foster care, children in local authority care, and children in residential school, residential care, or hospital.
Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook
Fully updated for the academic year, our comprehensive guide to benefits for students in Scotland is an invaluable resource for anyone who advises students. The Handbook is now free to access online.
Debt Advice Handbook Scotland
Based on CPAG’s best-selling Debt Advice Handbook, this first edition details the stages of the debt advice process in Scotland and the key skills needed to give good advice. No money adviser should be without this essential guide.
Free Trial to CPAG Digital+
Book a place on one of our training courses and enjoy a 6 week free trial of CPAG Digital+, providing fast, easy access to accurate information that helps you navigate benefit entitlements and challenging unfavourable decisions. During your free trial you’ll have access to key resources including the online Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook, the online Benefits for Migrants Handbook, and much more.
20% discount on books
When you complete a CPAG training course you will get 20% off a CPAG handbook that complements the course.