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National Energy Action: Fuel Debt Advice in the Community 

Delivered across three webinars this course aims to provide an understanding of the causes of fuel debt, issues householders may face with meters, fuel statements, payment and tariff options. It also considers consumers, private landlords and fuel suppliers’ obligations, as well as complaints procedures and support available for low-income and vulnerable households.

Course audience

The course is designed for frontline staff working with low-income and vulnerable households who may be in fuel debt or at risk from fuel debt.

Course objectives
  • Causes of, and how to identify solutions, for fuel debt
  • Customer and supplier responsibilities
  • How to read meters, fuel statements and rectify common billing errors
  • Suppliers’ customer service processes and complaints procedures
  • Tariff and payment options, Warm Home Discount scheme, grants and other forms of assistance – including trusts and hardship funds

Course content
  • The causes of fuel debt
  • Electricity, gas meters and recording consumption
  • Consumer and fuel suppliers’ rights and responsibilities
  • Tariff and payment options
  • Fuel statements
  • Common billing errors
  • Definitions of vulnerability used by the energy industry
  • Contacting the supplier and complaints procedures
  • Switching
  • Help available to low-income and vulnerable families – including Priority
    Services Register, Warm Home Discount scheme, trust and hardship funds

Duration

3 x half-day (2.5 hour) webinars followed by an open book assessment. Learners must attend all three webinars to complete the course and go on to the take the exam.

How will the webinar work

The course will be split across three webinars delivered live via Zoom (video conferencing facility) by our expert tutors to small groups to ensure a good level of interaction and support for learners. Participants will require a device with a camera and sound.

Assessment

To gain a Level 2 City & Guilds qualification an optional assessment is now available. This consists of an open book exam which will take a maximum of three hours to complete. Candidates are encouraged to use their course hand-outs to help complete the exam.

Webinar dates

The full course consists of three webinars and learners must attend all three sessions to complete the course and take the exam.

Course date are as follows:

  • 17, 18 & 19 February [1:30-4:00]
  • 25, 26 & 27 February [9:30-12:00]
  • 3, 4 &5 March [1:30-4:00]
  • 10, 11 & 12 March [1:30-4:00]
  • 11, 12 & 13 March [9:30-12:00]

Learners will be asked to join the webinar 15 minutes prior to the start time in order to register.
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