By developing a better understanding of debt, its causes and its impacts, you'll be better equipped to have supportive conversations.

Join us for this in-person session exploring the current debt landscape across Northern Ireland and the important role money guidance practitioners play in helping people access support sooner.

We'll explore the latest debt trends across Northern Ireland, looking at who is seeking support, the types of debt people are facing, and the outcomes achieved through advice services. We'll also hear from Advice NI, who will share insights from their recent research, discuss how we can encourage people to seek help sooner, and highlight the messages that are most effective in prompting action.

This session is particularly relevant for practitioners whose role includes money conversations but who do not provide regulated debt advice. The Money Guidance Competency Framework highlights the importance of understanding the boundaries of your role, recognising the signs of financial difficulty, identifying when debt may be an issue, and confidently signposting people to appropriate sources of support.

By developing a better understanding of debt, its causes and its impacts, you'll be better equipped to have supportive conversations, recognise when someone may need specialist help, and support people to take action before problems escalate. The session will also explore how early intervention and effective messaging can help people engage with debt advice sooner, leading to better outcomes.

Speakers

Sinead Camplbell Head of Money, Debt and Quailty Advice NI

lIlias Lambrou, PhD researcher Queen's University

Sinead Dynan - Utilities Regulator

Who is this session for?

Money guidance practitioners in the third, community and public benefit sectors. If you talk to people about money in your role, this session is for you.

Anyone supporting individuals with money-related conversations across Northern Ireland.

Practitioners who do not provide regulated debt advice but want to better understand debt issues and how to respond appropriately.

Staff and volunteers looking to build confidence in recognising debt concerns, understanding their role boundaries and signposting people to specialist support.

What to Expect Speakers

Learn about current debt trends in Northern Ireland and what they mean for the individuals and communities you support.

Understand who is accessing debt support and why to help you recognise potential indicators of financial difficulty earlier.

Discover practical ways to encourage earlier conversations about debt, drawing on new research into engagement and messaging.

Build confidence in recognising the boundaries of a money guidance role and understand when to provide information, when to signpost, and when specialist debt advice is needed.

Explore how to have supportive and sensitive conversations about debt that encourage people to seek help before situations become more serious.

Strengthen your knowledge of debt signposting and referral pathways and the role these play in supporting positive outcomes.

Connect with peers and share experiences through discussion and Q&A

Technical Domains

Know Your Customer

Debt

Accessibility

We are committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility requirements, please let us know using the form fields when registering or email us at money.gudiers.community@maps.org.uk

About Money Guiders

Money Guiders is a free self-development programme designed to help money guidance practitioners improve their knowledge, skills, and confidence. Provided by the Money and Pensions Service, it's aimed at staff and volunteers working in the third, community and public sectors. With over 20 hours of elearning, hundreds of events on offer and a community of practice at your side, this free programme will help you to help others.

Join the Money Guiders Community

Become part of a UK-wide community of practice. As a member, you’ll receive priority access to learning events, workshops, newsletters, and networking opportunities—all in partnership with the Money and Pensions Service.

👉 Register for the Money Guiders Community today!

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