Welfare Reform Action Plan for Middlesbrough – Working Draft

Key Strategic Issues

To include / Lead / Timescales

Impact Assessment

/ Geographical mapping of the areas most affected by each of the Welfare Reform changes. This will enable a higher level of targeted delivery of activities as necessary in areas most affected. Development of policy responses to the impacts.
Commission an independent piece of work to assess the impact of the reforms on Middlesbrough’s residents.
Maintaining an awareness of sub-regional issues relating to welfare reforms (via DWP / Tees Valley Partnerships). / FIG Partners / Sarah Brannen
Paul Slocombe
Nigel Sayer / November 2012

Baseline Indicators

/ Identification of key baseline indicators (such as homelessness, children into care, DV incidents etc) that would help track the longer-term impact of the reforms. / Saran Brannen / November 2012
Identification of emerging issues and appropriate responses / Develop robust working arrangements between Middlesbrough Council’s Corporate Welfare Reform Group and Middlesbrough Partnership’s Financial Inclusion Group (FIG). Utilise the knowledge from FIG partners to identify key emerging issues and trends, eg:
  • Demand for advice services (including pressure on agency resources)
  • Impact on Registered Social Landlords / Private Landlords
  • Increase in homelessness
  • Areas of perceived risk
  • Potential entry into employment opportunities
Develop responses (where appropriate) for delivery by both the Corporate Welfare Reform Group and FIG partners. / Paul Slocombe
Nigel Sayer
John Daniels
Sharon Thomas / Ongoing
Carry out a ‘current state’ Analysis / Utilise feedback from FIG partners and stakeholders attending the August 2012 Middlesbrough Partnership Forum to develop a town-wide picture of how organisations are likely to be affected and work carried out to-date. / Susan Borrow / Complete
Development of a Middlesbrough Money Advice Service / Scope current outreach services currently delivered by advice agencies. Suggest opportunities for more effective multi-agency working and coordination of advice services that will avoid duplication of services and provide necessary support to communities.
Developing a pilot ‘Middlesbrough Money Advice Service’ in Thorntree Hub (other community hubs to follow).
Ensure strong links are established with other Financial Capability/Awareness Projects (eg Training delivered by the Council’s Welfare Rights Team, Know Your Money Keep the Change, My Bnk, Financial Capability Training delivered by CAB).
Delivery of the BLF Know Your Money Keep the Change Project, focusing on the development of financial confidence of younger people. / John Daniels
Nigel Sayer
Nigel Sayer
John Daniels
Rachel Steel
FIG
Chris Smith / January 2013
Strengthening the Credit Union sector / Carry forward options being considered by Erimus/Tees Valley Community Foundation Trust and the Council (with involvement from other partners) that seek to develop Pioneer Credit Union. / Chris Smith/Nigel Sayer / December 2012
Funding Opportunities / Seek funding opportunities and multi-agency bidding approaches that could assist with the delivery of the Welfare Reform Action Plan and Communications Plan / FIG Partners / As and when
Task and Finish Approach / Establish time-limited Task and Finish Groups (as deemed necessary) to look at specific issues associated to Welfare Reform. / Nigel Sayer / When required

Communication

To include / Lead / Timescales
Council Tax Consultation Exercise / Consultation exercise on localised Council Tax Scheme / Paul Slocombe
Martin Barker / October/November 2012
Social Fund Consultation Exercise / Consultation exercise on Social Fund / Paul Slocombe
Martin Barker / Novemner 2012
Development of a multi-agency communication network. / Establishing a multi-agency network that can be used to share best practice, develop publicity materials, identify delivery methods (both internal and external), work jointly on consultation and agree a communication timetable / delivery plan. / Susan Borrow / Established
Development of an RSL Network / Development of an RSL Network that will share best practice, develop joint working and avoid duplication / Sarah Brannen / December 2012
Development of a communication plan to meet the needs of communities. / See Communication Plan Appendix / Nigel Sayer
Susan Borrow / See attached
Development of a communication plan and a series of resources to meet the needs of partner organisations / See Communications Plan Appendix / Nigel Sayer
Susan Borrow / See attached
Communication with various groups (as appropriate) / Corporate Management Team, Welfare Reform Group, Financial Inclusion Group, Elected members, MPs, lobbying groups and trade unions etc / Paul Slocombe/
Nigel Sayer / On going

Education and Training

To include / Lead / Timescales
Development of a training plan to meet the needs of partner organisations / Development of a Training Plan to meet the needs of partner organisations (utilising best practice, avoiding duplication and sharing resources).
Development of a ‘train the trainer’ type package to enable partners to deliver training / support in communities. / Susan Borrow / Novembr2012
Development of a training plan to meet the needs of communities / Development of a ‘train the trainer’ type package and supporting resources that will enable partners and community volunteers to deliver awareness raising sessions in communities. / Susan Borrow / Novmeber 2012
Encourage sign up to the Nellbookers Electronic Referral System / Increasing partner agency sign-up to the Nellbookers Electronic Referral System, which will ensure ease of client referrals to advice agencies.
Delivery of appropriate training to partners. / Susan Borrow / Malcolm Bateman / December 2012

1