Responding to the welfare reforms

The picture in Leeds

Advice Leeds Partnership Welfare Reform Strategy Board

• Spread the message• Highlight the changes and impacts• Know who is doing what and when• Identify the key messages and target audiences• The timing of messages• Coordinate communication

Information and training• Professionals need to know about the

changes

• Professionals need to be prepared to support clients and to make the required organisation changes

Information to people affected• Briefing sessions for tenants and local

groups

• Letters to individual claimants

• Visits from social landlords

• Local roadshows

Shape policy• Get involved in the development of local

provision– Discretionary Housing Payment – Local Council Tax Support– Local schemes to replace the Social Fund

Share the load

• The impacts cross in to many areas

• Share resources

• Be clear what you part / response is

Social policy

• There will be impacts from the reforms

• Evidence about changes is an important tool to influence implementation and future changes

• How can you capture the evidence you have and make best use of it?