Vulnerable People and Social Inclusion

GCC Briefing10th September 2015

Provide of legal advice on • immigration (limited immigration advice on bail and

Leave to Remain as a result of domestic violence (ONLY )

• Asylum• Welfare Benefits• Housing• Family Law

Provide representation at Court hearings Between 1.4.14 - 31.3.15, brought in £1,457,676.68 for

local clients – benefits that people were legally entitled to but for whom there had been barriers.

In same period – helped 2288 clients with 2294 cases.and helped people from 142 different nationalities in Gloucester 8 paid staff, some of whom are part time and up to 10 volunteers

Provision of Services Cont: Provide level 1 advice and asylum work

A homeless family would cost £40k to rehouse – saving to Council by getting possession action and correct benefits resolved.

• Work with the Law Centre – good relationship – on housing and benefits

• Working with about 2000 individuals per/annum• Currently largely coming from Syria, Eretria, Afghanistan, Sudan and China

17 volunteers + 7 trustees; 7 staff, of whom 3 are full time. Also hosting the Hate crime worker on behalf of the PCC

Work with women with severe multiple disadvantage and complex needs such as:

• Substance misuse• Mental ill health• Financial needs• Domestic violence• Chronic poverty• Risk of homelessness

Getting 5 new referrals a week. Have 2 key workers, who carry a caseload of 30. Complex issues such as suicide risk, self harm, children. This is a trauma informed service

How can the Voluntary Sector Help the council? :

A service map associated with common issues would be helpful for everyone to have

The voluntary sector must act as a business in terms of strong governance, business planning and budgeting – it should be respected as professional and competent but also with appreciation that VCS organisations also have to work to strict reporting and budgeting time frames or will close.

Therefore relationship with the Councils – especially where funding support is involved – must recognise these timeframes and act promptly with admin, grant processing and clear monitoring.

How could the City Council help?

In-kind support for financial leverage from grant fundersLetters of support from the CouncilHaving well informed Councillors would be really helpful re key vulnerability issues.

Council’s City Plan needs to highlight some of the key vulnerability issues – organisations can then evidence to potential funders how their work addresses recognised local problems

Concerns:• Legal Aid no longer covers any immigration work,

social exclusion issue, this is new.

Another big issue = In order for someone to secure residency status, they must pass exams and demonstrate their competency in English – this requires completion of a certificated ESOL course. The course has been provided by Gloucester College but from September, this ESOL course will have to be paid for by the learner, at a cost of £750. There are various adult education and community ESOL type courses but not certificated

Finally

If you are socially excluded, you are likely to be financially excluded