Common Advice Performance Monitoring Reporting Framework Additional Research Report

Date published: 15th March 2022

CARF's Money Advisers recently took part in additional research conducted by the Improvement Service

Provision of money and welfare rights advice services has become increasingly complex since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research form the Improvement Services shows that significant outcomes continue to be achieved for services users.

A research paper analysing the support provided by money and welfare rights advice services, from the perspective of advice leads and advisers, has today been published. The report seeks to provide a more detailed understanding of the support provided by local authority funded money and welfare rights advice services and what this achieves, how this has been impacted by COVID-19 and what this specifically means for debt advice.

The report shows that:

  • Advisers often work under significant pressure and have been extremely resilient throughout the ongoing challenges of working during a pandemic.
  • There are positive improvements from the expansion of digital delivery and it’s likely that these can be improved upon by using a blended approach to service delivery.
  • Within local authorities and the wider public sector there is increased recognition of the value of money and welfare rights advice services, however services are eager to carry out additional activities including outreach work and prevention activities to ensure that those in need are aware of the service. This remains limited due to the lack of face-to-face contact and issues with capacity.

The findings from this report demonstrate how these services can act as a valuable link within communities.

This report has been produced by the Improvement Service in conjunction with Scotland’s local authorities.

Download the report.

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