Guidance and counselling services

Tender description

Contract for advice services. Renfrewshire Council is commissioning proactive advice services for delivery across the Renfrewshire Council area. Across Renfrewshire many people are affected by debt and financial problems. It is recognised that advice plays a key role in supporting households through challenging financial circumstances. It is also recognised that people usually only seek support once a crisis point is reached and advice becomes vital to help them resolve their issues. Renfrewshire Council want to commission a service that will not only support those in crisis, but encourage clients to engage earlier and obtain advice, before crisis point is reached. In line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP), the successful tenderer will provide a free advice service to those living in Renfrewshire. The advice service will include, but not be restricted to money /debt, financial capability, welfare benefits, housing and employment. SNSIAP breaks advice into 3 levels by complexity. — Type I is the most simple and is mainly signposting clients and interpreting what is needed, — Type II is casework, and — Type III covers representation and advocacy. It is intended that the advice service will provide all 3 types of advice excluding advice provision that requires specific legal advice and/or representation that only a solicitor can provide. It is expected that the service will provide representation for clients at appeals against benefits decisions. Details of SNSIAP can be found here http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00513426.pdf The commissioned advice service will complement and add value to Renfrewshire Council’s Advice Works Service to meet the needs of Renfrewshire’s residents. It is expected that the contracted service will work closely with the Council’s Advice Works service, to ensure that clients across Renfrewshire will receive quality advice, and where necessary representation, across a range of subjects in line with the SNSIAP. By working closely with Advice Works, it is anticipated that gaps and service duplications can be avoided, and priorities agreed between the services to provide clients with timeous, excellent advice whilst also providing value for money to the council. Renfrewshire Council are commissioning proactive advice services for delivery across the Renfrewshire Council area. Across Renfrewshire many people are affected by debt and financial problems. It is recognised that advice plays a key role in supporting households through challenging financial circumstances. It is also recognised that people usually only seek support once a crisis point is reached and advice becomes vital to help them resolve their issues. Renfrewshire Council want to commission a service that will not only support those in crisis, but encourage clients to engage earlier and obtain advice, before crisis point is reached. Many people in Renfrewshire are affected by legal problems, however legal advice can be expensive and the council has historically funded a service that provides free legal advice and assistance to those who need it in Renfrewshire. Supplementing the services of local legal aid solicitors, the free legal service can provide advice and representation to Renfrewshire citizens. Where it is appropriate, the service can also apply for legal aid for their clients. The Lot 2 contract requirement is to provide the free legal service to those living in Renfrewshire. The service is funded to support those most in need – those living in poverty, disabled people and those who simply cannot afford to pay a solicitor to act on their behalf. The legal service provides a way that people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation can access this very important aspect of everyday living and participate fully in their community regardless of income. The legal service will provide mainly advice with regards to housing, homelessness, employment, debt, public law, community care and disability and welfare rights. The Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) breaks advice into 3 types of intervention by complexity. — Type I is the most simple and is mainly signposting clients and interpreting what is needed, — Type II is casework, and — Type III covers representation and advocacy. It is intended that this legal service will provide mainly Type III advice, i.e., for those that need legal representation, although will also provide Type I and II as necessary. Over the past few years, a strong partnership between advice services has built up in Renfrewshire, and it is recognised that there are many other advice providers that can support people with more general advice and casework. Therefore, the commissioned legal service should concentrate on attracting and supporting those who require legal, and not, for example, debt management, budgeting or other advice. It is anticipated that the successful contractor would become part of the advice partnership in Renfrewshire, and work to ensure clients are directed to the most relevant source of advice for them.