Just Group has launched the latest update to its Consumer Vulnerability in Later Life online training, in collaboration with the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA). This training, initially launched in 2019, has now been completed over 17,000 times by intermediaries, reflecting its strong demand within the financial advisory community.
The updated training is designed to help financial advisers, paraplanners, administrators, and other advisory team members understand vulnerability characteristics and the importance of creating safe disclosure environments. It is eligible for 60 minutes of CPD upon successful completion.
The focus of the latest update is to improve the quality of conversations between advisers and clients, helping uncover hidden vulnerabilities and prevent foreseeable harm. By understanding softer aspects of a client’s circumstances, advisers can make more appropriate recommendations, ensuring clients with vulnerability characteristics receive consistent and good outcomes in line with Consumer Duty.
Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, said: “Ever since we launched this online training five years ago, we have been heartened by the strong demand and take-up. It is fantastic to have passed the milestone of 17,000 completions, which demonstrates how committed the financial advice community is to delivering the best possible outcomes, especially for those clients that may show characteristics of vulnerability.
“As part of our service to this community, we update the training regularly so that it provides the most relevant information, and it has evolved over time to address shocks like the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. This latest iteration looks to support intermediaries in developing the softer skills needed to converse with clients and uncover any hidden vulnerabilities that may impact the recommendations they provide. By doing so, we hope to continue to develop the industry’s capabilities to address the important issue of vulnerability.”
The training also helps identify areas where intermediaries can adjust their working practices to better support clients and meet their needs.
