1. Advice Strategies Advice Strategies for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire

2. Background work Original suggestion from BAF following LGR (Spring 2009) Countywide workshops held to discuss idea (Autumn 2009) Formal proposals sent to Thematic Partnerships in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire (December 2009)

3. Development work Proposals endorsed by Local Strategic Partnerships in both areas (Winter 2009/2010) Advice Strategy Planning Groups set up (Spring 2010) Initial drafting of Advice Strategies for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire (Spring 2010)

4. Recent work 3 month gap in work due to lack of funding (Summer 2010) Mapping of current advice services in both areas (Autumn 2010) Final drafting of Advice Strategies for both areas (Winter 2010/11)

5. Funding for developing the Strategies

6. Importance of advice ADVICE STRATEGY ADVICE STRATEGY Changing national environment Local changes and issues Economic / Poverty / Health / Justice Recession / Targets / Legislation / Big Society Community Strategy / Disjointed funding / Council cuts Why do we need an Advice Strategy?

7. Drivers of change Advice Strategy Cuts in public funding The Government's Comprehensive Spending Review will lead to large cuts in income for Central Bedfordshire Council. The resulting cuts in expenditure will threaten in- house advice services and funding for voluntary sector advice groups Recession Advice enquiries, especially concerning benefits, debt and employment issues, have grown rapidy over the last few years and this trend is likely to continue Need for independent advice and choice in services Growing demands for social justice Growing duty to provide advice services Need for quality provision of advice services Cuts in welfare benefits The proposed extensive reforms to welfare benefits will result in an increase in benefit enquiries and may also lead to increases in other poverty-related enquiries Reducing inefficiency There is a growing need to reduce waste and inefficiency in public services. Initiatives such as Total Place are being developed to do this - and advice services can be a key part of this work

8. Advice & information needs of the community

9. Vision Bedford Borough will be an area where people experience less poverty and social exclusion, because their needs are being met effectively through easily accessible, well-publicised and high- quality social welfare information, advice and advocacy services across the voluntary and statutory sectors

10. Specific aims 1.To develop a strategic approach to planning, funding and provision of advice services 2.To respond effectively to changing needs for advice 3.To enhance collaboration between agecnies in the advice sector 4.To ensure the quality of advice services 5.To improve access to advice servcies

11. Recommended action Aim 1 (Strategic approach) 1.Set up Advice Planning Board 2.Appoint a Champion for Advice 3.Develop a collaborative funding plan 4.Develop a plan for sharing resources 5.Develop links between Advice Strategy and other strategies 6.Develop a comprehensive Information and Advice Strategy

12. Recommended action Aim 2 (Changing needs) 7.Conduct regular reviews of advice needs 8.Assess effects of new Government policy or rules 9.Provide responses to changing advice needs 10.Plan advice services in response to changing needs

13. Recommended action Aim 3 (Collaboration) 11.Provide opportunities for collaborative working 12.Develop closer links between BAF and local solicitors 13.Maintain Bedfordshire Advice Directory 14.Provide support for BAF

14. Recommended action Aim 4 (Quality) 15.Identify agencies that need support to enhance quality 16.Provide training to advice agencies 17.Increase membership of BAF 18.Increase number of local advice agencies with quality marks

15. Recommended action Aim 5 (Access to advice services) 19.Promote a balanced mix of “face-to-face” advice services at different levels 20.Promote the need for advice services in urban and rural areas 21.Consider development of a centralised telephone advice number 22.Develop a plan to improve access to written advice material – including on the internet

16. Information level Information and basic advice services – and signposting or referring clients for general advice or representation Current example: Disability Resource Centre General level General advice and casework services – and referring clients for representation Current example: Bedford and District Citizens Advice Bureau Specialist level Representation and complex casework services Current example: Welfare Rights Service – Bedford Borough Council

17. Strengths Strategy is “owned” by LSPs and Thematic Partnerships –More chance of sustainability of Strategy –Some funding has been given to develop the Strategies –More chance of recommended action being funded Advice sector has led on development of the Strategy –Strategy is also “owned” by advice sector –Has increased networking between agencies

18. Weaknesses Advice sector is leading on the Strategy - LSP and Council commitment is still not certain Launch of Strategy is coming at a time of massive funding cuts