Social Inclusion Strategic Development Work in Devon
Local Area Agreement 15(a) 2008-2011
Devon Welfare Rights Unit is a lead agency in this area of work
Our Aim:
To improve the quality of life of those most in need through improved access to high quality money advice and financial products and services. In so doing, the project will seek link with all relevant LAA priorities to develop and mainstream an effective income maximisation programme that is among the best in the country.
A main aim for the forthcoming year is to continue to work together with our voluntary and community and statutory sector partners to improve access to Welfare Benefits across Devon and to further develop a new approach to the mainstreaming of benefits information, advice and advocacy services throughout Devon in a sustainable way through the Local Area Agreement (LAA 15(a)) Priority “Work towards the economic inclusion and social integration of vulnerable populations”
The success of a number of LAA priorities is in part dependent upon the financial security of their target populations. The impact of poverty on health inequality, disadvantage amongst children and young people, fuel poverty, housing choices etc is clear and Devon’s most disadvantaged communities experience low income and financial instability.
The success of income maximisation initiatives, including targeted benefits take-up projects and the provision of high quality benefits and tax credits training for demonstrate the importance of streamlining and aligning/integrating traditional approaches to encompass all vulnerable populations.
The proposed strategy will review successful elements of work to date and develop the methodology for mainstreaming. It will identify the contribution that each partner is making or might make and support them to engage with the project and consider review/change of service models to deliver the outcomes. It will co-ordinate specific projects on behalf of the DSP to meet need. The elements of the strategy include:
- A long term campaign aimed at changing attitudes towards the income maximisation process and improving take – up of/ removing barriers to claiming Benefits and Tax Credits
- Aligning and integrating, where possible, services designed to improve access to advice and information services across the county
- A focus on key life event trigger points where the public might expect to come into contact with service providers.
- Targeting Support and information and advice to self employed and small businesses in Devon on in work and out of work benefits in the context of additional difficulties being faced as a result of the economic downturn
This LAA workstream aims to provide vulnerable people with:
- An holistic money check to assess additional entitlements to benefits and pension or tax credits
- Appropriate financial services including (independent and confidential):
- Advice on benefit entitlement, help with forms, making a claim, handling appeals and renewals
- Debt advice and guidance
- Access to bank accounts and an account management service
- Budgeting support
- Affordable loans to avoid very expensive doorstep lending
- Access to Credit Union services
Our key delivery partners are :
Devon County Council
Devon Welfare Rights Unit
CAB Service
South West Pound Limited
Care Direct