Welfare Assistance Scheme Overview Supplier Engagement Day 21.8.12

1. Welfare Assistance Scheme Overview Supplier Engagement Day 21.8.12

2. Purpose of the session – Nick Thomas • Discuss the development of a Cumbria Welfare Assistance Scheme • Explain the national drivers for the scheme • Go through the Council’s options for delivery • Gain feedback from the potential market of suppliers for the scheme

3. National drivers – Joel Rasbash • The Welfare Reform Act 2012 abolished some of the discretionary elements of the DWP Social Fund – • Crisis Loans • Community Care Grants • These schemes will be replaced by Local Authority Schemes from April 2013

4. How the DWP scheme worked • Community Care Grants were awarded for a range of expenses, including • household equipment, • supporting vulnerable people in the community • ease exceptional pressure on families. • Crisis Loans were made to cover: • Immediate short-term needs in an emergency • This took the form of cash grants or loans deducted from benefits

5. Criticisms of the DWP approach • The DWP scheme is based on cash transactions which has the following drawbacks: • One size fits all approach • The potential for localised solutions is not explored • The cash based model encourages dependency • No opportunity to link to the prevention agenda

6. Requirements on Local Authorities • Local Authorities are encouraged to develop a scheme that meets the local need • Local Authorities are encouraged to: • Work in partnership with the local Third Sector to develop schemes • Explore a range of in-kind support, and to link to advice, information and advocacy. • Explore a range of models for delivery.

7. Funding • The funding is for the scheme will be allocated to local authorities, however it is not ringfenced. • The cost in the past cannot be used as a guide for the future costs • We expect the costs to reduce as cash will be a final resort • After a year the Council will know the true costs of the running of the scheme

8. Principles for a Cumbrian Scheme • Customer focus • Diversity of provision • Prevention and independence • Equality and inclusion • Partnership working

9. Models for delivery • Model 1: Create a new In-house service: • Model 2: Align the local welfare assistance function to existing services • Model 3: Set up a managed service that would link end users to existing support schemes • Model 4: Devolve the scheme to district councils

10. What would the scheme require? • Clear routes for customer access across Cumbria • Supply chain of providers who can assist people in crisis • Criteria for judging who can access the service, when, why and how • Up and running from 1st April 2012

11. Timescales for implementation • July to 31 August – Stakeholder Consultation • September – decide on model • December approve Cumbrian scheme • January 2013-March 2013 – transition • April 2013 – new arrangements up and running

12. Questions for Working Groups • What are the opportunities and risks around the development the scheme? • How do you see the scheme working? • Access routes • Locations • Eligibility criteria • Support available in kind • Examples of existing good practice