Evaluation: Money Advice Outreach Pilots Responsibility of Legal Services Research Centre (LSRC) Three evaluation phases: multiple perspectives variety of research methods impact and processes of pilots Phase I: Target Groups Face-to-face survey in five different outreach location types Phase II: Provider and Partner Perspective Interviews with project coordinators, debt advisers, location partners and stakeholders; case studies; dissemination workshop; follow-up research Phase III: Client and Target Groups In-depth, qualitative interviews Cost-effectiveness analysis on closed client cases

First Phase Evaluation Survey of 563 people using different outreach locations types included in the pilots: Family and children centres Credit unions Housing offices Community centres Prisons Questionnaire Aim: Assess the suitability of a number of different outreach location types for the delivery of money advice to ‘hard-to- reach’ and disadvantaged groups

Reaching deprived and financially excluded areas or groups 75% interviewees lived in the top 20 per cent of the most deprived areas in England High proportion of people with demographics indicative of social exclusion Unemployment Social housing Lone parenthood Illness and disability Income below £10,000 Financial exclusion 73% of prison interviewees 51% of credit union interviewees 32% of housing office interviewees 31% of family and children centre interviewees 19% of community centre interviewees Results First Phase Evaluation

Reaching people who do not seek mainstream advice – ‘Hard-to-reach’ interviewees? Had not received advice when in real financial difficulties 31% of non-prison interviewees 90% of prison interviewees Of non-prison interviewees who did seek advice, nearly one third did not go to an independent money adviser but to creditors, family and friends Would not seek professional advice if serious money problems in the future 16% of non-prison interviewees 22% among financially excluded Despite living close to mainstream advice services, many interviewees were unaware of this Higher percentages among financially excluded Results First Phase Evaluation

‘Because it’s a professional establishment, people would know what they are talking about and people would trust the advice they gave.’ Interviewee in a housing office ‘Because it is a community centre, and all kinds of people are coming in, it would be better to walk in here than walk into a debt advice centre. You would not stand out as much.’ Interviewee in a community centre ‘People like myself have no money to shell out for transport.’ Interviewee in a children and family centre ‘The location is central. It is easy to find. They have done good market research.’ Interviewee in a credit union ‘It would take a burden off people here. And be a chance for people to say “I can sort things out”. A chance to speak to independent people to help sort out their problems, not the officers.’ Interviewee in a prison Benefits of Outreach Advice from the Perspective of Target Groups

Second Phase Evaluation: First Findings ECOTEC/Personal Finance Research Centre First Findings Outreach established where money advice not usually available Reaching financially excluded people who would not otherwise access advice Challenges of outreach work and client groups may affect ability to achieve targets Early engagement with partners important Increased awareness about money advice among partners Working in different types of outreach locations

Benefits of outreach advice Accessible and frequently visited Multiple advice services in one location People trust locations they are familiar with -> Importance of high quality advice Importance of closing knowledge gaps on the availability of mainstream advice: public legal education & financial capability Outreach advice needs to be moulded to the needs of its target groups and nature of outreach locations Importance of partnership working Findings are of interest to other parts of the community and bodies that deliver public servicesFindings are of interest to other parts of the community and bodies that deliver public services Selected Initial Conclusions

Further Information First phase evaluation report available at: Overview of evaluation approach and first findings: see Legal Action October issue, 2007 All other evaluation reports due in spring 2008 Contact: