Rushmoor Citizens Advice Bureaux works in partnership with a range of local agencies and services. We recognise that this benefits not only our CAB and the other agencies, but most importantly our clients. Through this work we are able to deliver complementary services, which make best use of the skills and resources of each organisation. Partnership working also enables us to stay aware of developments and changes in local services to best advise our clients. These partnerships include:
Liaison to develop effective working on issues such as housing, homelessness, benefits and council tax recovery. Rushmoor CAB is also represented on Rushmoor Strategic Partnership.
Working with Citizens Advice South East Region to increase capacity in face-to-face debt advice. This is a partnership project with Registered Social Landlords, funded by the DTI.
Developing referrals protocols for tenants with debt and benefit problems; delivering training to staff; and liaising on policy and service delivery issues.
Surrey and Hampshire Primary Care Trusts
Delivering services to clients with severe and enduring mental health problems in the in-patient psychiatric ward, and in local day hospitals, working closely with staff of the Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust. We are also part of the Adult Mental Health Local Implementation Team, which monitors local mental health services and developments.
Step by Step Formerly Emmaus Projects, renamed January 2007.
Developing outreach services for debt advice, and supporting training and volunteering opportunities for young people.
Legal Services Commission (LSC)
Delivering advice services in specific areas of social welfare law. The funding through the LSC contract enables us to employ full time caseworkers to provide specialist casework to “eligible” clients in the following categories:
“Eligible” clients are those on benefits or low incomes with small or no savings. Although the calculation is sometimes complicated, use of the referral form enables us to get an idea of whether the client is eligible or not and helps streamline the referral to the appropriate worker.
Because of the above criteria, we have to ask questions about clients’ income and capital to see if work on their case can be counted as “eligible” under the contract rules. All the work undertaken by CAB remains free to the client, however, in accordance with our aims and principles.
If the client is not eligible for LSC funding, we can usually offer help from other parts of our service, funded through the local authority or other sources. All bureau clients are advised of any cost implications of any legal action.
In some cases we will be able to provide representation at court or tribunal, but funding for this work is restricted. If we are unable to represent, we will try to find an agency that can, or ensure that the client understands enough to represent themselves.
In some circumstances, we may need to refer the case to a solicitor, because of the restrictions placed on the type of work we can do. This is only done with the client’s agreement, and with full information about likely costs.
Wherever possible, LSC funded caseworkers will work in partnership with other agencies. Caseworkers need to ensure the work they undertake focuses on the “legal” issues, and not the wider support issues. We believe a partnership approach is usually best for the client, as well as ensuring each agency works within its remit.