Provision of services to the community

Tender description

Shetland Islands Council is seeking to procure a service providing Financial Health advice and support to vulnerable individuals in Shetland who are in debt or at risk of falling into debt as a result of low income. The Council is procuring delivery of a Financial Health Service to support individuals, particularly those on a low income, with tailored support to manage their debt, ensure they are getting all the benefits they are entitled to and develop their capacity to manage their monthly household budget. As with all approaches known to have an impact on reducing poverty and exclusion in remote rural areas, such as Shetland, an individual/household approach will be taken. This is in recognition of the multi-faceted nature of poverty in Shetland, and the approach known to achieve genuine long-term outcomes for individuals and households. Services will be delivered face to face and also by telephone. Every effort will be made to optimise accessibility, particularly giving consideration to Shetland’s rural communities. A detailed assessment of need will be undertaken, and an action plan developed to support the individual to move out of debt and towards financially sustainability. The support provided may include: — Assistance to request reviews and appeals of decisions about benefit entitlements and about sanctions and representation of clients at tribunals where appropriate, — Assistance to manage their debt and avoid future indebtedness in line with the Money Advice Service Quality Framework. E.g. to enable people to identify where their money is going and make savings; negotiate with creditors and put in place repayment plans; access the legal remedies that are most appropriate to their situation (for example the Debt Arrangement Scheme or insolvency); and budget and manage their finances more successfully, — The situation will then be monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure that the plan is being followed and is effective. The benefits topic areas to be covered will include Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Job Seekers Allowance, Universal Credit, Carers Allowance, Tax Credits, Pension Credits, Attendance Allowance, Income Support and all other relevant benefits as required.