Advice services must be directed at those most in need: Ritchie

Advice Services delivered by the Voluntary and Community Sector must become more modern, efficient and accessible.

That was the message today from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, as she launched her Department’s plan for the future delivery of these services. Called ‘Opening Doors’, the strategy sets out a new structure for the future delivery of advice services in Northern Ireland. It is designed to ensure that advice centres are where they are needed most – and to ensure that there is no duplication of services between different advice providers. This will be done by establishing a network of advice providers that will act as ‘Area hubs’, and will be linked to local satellite and outreach centres.

The location of the services will be agreed in consultation with councils, other statutory bodies and the Advice Services Alliance (ASA). As well as geographic spread, the new structure will also take into account the information needs of specific groups and deprived areas.

The Minister, whose remit includes lead policy responsibility for the Voluntary and Community Sector, explained:

“The modern world is a complicated place – and people often struggle to find their way. That’s why advice services are so important. They ensure that people can get the help they need – for example to access social welfare or to manage their debts.

“ 'Opening Doors' sets out an overall policy for advice services for the first time ever. It is designed to ensure that services are targeted at those most in need – and that there is no duplication or waste.

“The new structures will provide for improved, more effective, local access to advice and better delivery of specialist as well as generalist advice services.”

The Department for Social Development will work with the ASA to look at recruitment, training and staff retention issues to support the professional development of staff who are providing this important advice and support service. The ASA will support the Strategy by setting-up a specialist advisory panel to oversee quality, training and access to advice provision, and will co ordinate activity in a number of other areas of advice provision.

Ms. Ritchie added: “We must concentrate our efforts on working better together – both Government and the voluntary and community sector – to improve existing services, encourage partnership working, and ultimately deliver modern, efficient and accessible services that meet the expectations of people in our communities.”

The proposed new structures will be piloted during 2007/08, with roll-out expected to commence from 2008/09. The strategy was launched in conjunction with Advice Services Alliance to mark the beginning of Advice Week, from 10 – 14 September.

Independent Chair of the Advice Services Alliance, Rev. Harold Good, commented:

“The Strategy heralds a new era for those of us who share responsibility for advice services throughout Northern Ireland. It is crucial to the long-term wellbeing of the members of the Advice Services Alliance. With this new challenge, it is more important than ever that the voluntary advice sector works together effectively to develop comprehensive, well resourced advice services across Northern Ireland.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Copies of 'Opening Doors' are available at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/vc-strategy-for-voluntary-advice-services.htm or from DSD’s Voluntary and Community Unit (telephone: 028 9082 9403.
2. Media enquiries only to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
3. The Advice Services Alliance is made up of Citizens Advice, Advice NI and the Law Centre. Advice organisations are members of at least one of these bodies.
4. Citizens Advice, Advice NI and the Law Centre provide support to their member organisations through advice on operational and management issues; advising on issues of systems, policy and procedures; providing information on issues of strategic importance, providing training, guidance on obtaining funding and lobbying on behalf of their network.
5. Last year, ASA member organisations handled over half a million requests for advice and information from the public. Over half of these were benefit queries, demonstrating how quality advice services tackle disadvantage and inform individuals of their rights and responsibilities.