Delivering money and welfare rights advice in community settings positively impacts individuals’ financial wellbeing, finds a new report from the Improvement Service. This is particularly true for people who are less likely to engage with services delivered in more traditional settings.
The report, Community-based Advice Provision in Scotland, looks at how councils are supporting individuals to access advice in a range of non-stigmatising, accessible community-based settings and shares lessons learned from their experiences. It finds that:
- The two main drivers of community-based advice service provision are the availability of dedicated funding and council policy commitments
- Advice is mainly delivered in community centres, secondary schools and GP practices, although there were other settings
- Councils are the primary providers in schools, hospitals, GP practices and libraries, whilst in community centres and other settings provision is through a combination of council, Citizens Advice Bureau and independent advice services
- The uncertainty over future funding is the most significant barrier to provision cited by councils
- Despite funding uncertainties, several councils have expanded accessible advice services
- Future plans vary, with some councils intending to maintain provision at existing levels while others are exploring innovative delivery methods, such as mobile libraries, video consultations and family support hubs.
The report provides an update on a previous report, Advice in Accessible Settings (2023), and reaffirms five central themes from that:
- Service provision continues in familiar, non-stigmatising locations, with flexible delivery approaches to meet diverse needs.
- A strong emphasis on local partnerships with health, housing, and third sector organisations continues.
- Accessible advice supports the early identification of problems and can help reduce the need for crisis intervention.
- Establishing trust and reducing stigma are critical.
- Where present, client-centred and co-designed approaches can ensure services meet local needs effectively.
Download the report: Community-based Advice Provision in Scotland