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What can we learn from how Housing Associations are responding to welfare reform?

27th October 2014

1 Welcome and overview

Maureen Cope, a founding member of the GWSF Welfare Reform Campaign Group, welcomed

participants and provided background to the Campaign Group and this event. The roots of the

Campaign Group lie in challenging the bedroom tax, however their remit goes beyond

traditional housing-specific issues to encompass all areas where welfare reform is impacting on

our communities. Their message is one of ‘our voices are stronger together’, and they want

communities to feel empowered to speak up about how their changes are affecting their lives.

The Campaign Group is keen for Housing Associations to connect with 3rd sector organisations

in order to hear and share how both sectors are responding to welfare reform; share good

ideas; discuss potential partnership opportunities; and develop a collective voice to continue

lobbying for change.

Colleen Rowan, from GWSF, spoke about the important role community controlled housing

associations play in mitigating the impacts of welfare reform. Since the inception of the reforms

GWSF members have remained committed to highlighting their impact as well as encouraging

the Forum to respond in a wide variety of ways. GWSF sees its members focused on

information sharing, capacity building, building financial resilience, forming new partnerships,

and being creative in their approach to welfare reform; they are keen to support this work and

to continue their efforts in highlighting the successes of the community controlled housing

model and the importance of linking that work more closely into the 3rd sector. Their support

remains strong for the GWSF Campaign Group and events such as today’s conference which

brings together members with 3rd sector organisations to share ideas, highlight good practice

and build partnerships.

Lynn Law, from GCVS, spoke about the Welfare Trackers project and the response to GWSF

and the Campaign Group’s request to support a session bringing together housing associations

with 3rd sector organisations. Welfare Trackers is a partnership project involving GCVS, The

Poverty Alliance and Scottish Drugs Forum focused on listening, tracking and responding to

individuals and services affected by welfare reform in Glasgow. Each partner is working very

differently across the city – from running practical local workshops including tips on appeals

and drafting a Claimant Commitment, or preparing for Universal Credit, to city wide sessions on

topics such as preventing sanctions, addressing hidden disabilities or discussing digital

inclusion partnerships. GCVS is focused on these city wide sessions. The project members

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are working alongside people directly affected by the changes as well as staff, volunteers and

services who want to increase their knowledge, develop practical solutions and connect with

other services to share good ideas. The project is also underpinned by a research base

tracking service impacts over time, including the impact on staff wellbeing within the 3rd sector

and the impact on children and young people and their families. Welfare Trackers is funded by

BLF Support and Connect until August 2015.

2 Fiona McGovern, Ardenglen Housing

Ardenglen Housing is focused on offering practical support to their

tenants, and recognise that working in a Housing Association is “more

than houses. It’s about community.”

Fiona is a learning practitioner focused on adult literacy, building

capacity, alleviating the impact of welfare reform by looking for

opportunities and removing barriers wherever possible.

Supporting local people to find their voice in the wider

community

The management at Ardenglen Housing feel very strongly

about regeneration and in 2010 set up a constituted social

volunteer committee in order to take tenants’ events forward,

feeling it was important for this to come from tenants rather

than staff.

Six months after forming, this constituted group decided they

wanted to broaden out their reach across the community; they

took over a local church hall lease, called themselves The Only

Way is Up, and aimed to enable people to have a voice in their

community.

In partnership with Jobs Business Glasgow, volunteers run this

hall, including a mobile bar to keep prices low, and they use

income from the bar to pay for community needs of the hall

during the week. Through this social committee and other wider

communication with tenants, the Association have identified a

range of barriers including lack of experience and skills,

confidence and assertiveness. The Only Way is Up is about

addressing these barriers and supporting a change of mindset,

helping people to believe in themselves. Participants are more

positive about themselves and their futures, and a couple are

now volunteering on the management committee.

Literacies skills and computer support

Ardenglen have a part time literacies worker at the Association

supporting people to access computers. The Association have

positive ideas for… well, everything…

Partnerships. Partnerships. Parnterships!

“This is about more

than houses. It’s about community.”

positive ideas for… improving peoples’

employability without even ‘talking

jobs’ Focus on social skills and assertiveness, and on ways to give people a voice in their community. And if you can, combine this with offering skills training – such as through a part time literacies worker or by linking into a local ALN group…

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evidence that a number of these learners are improving their

situations and feeling more positive about next steps.

Many people come with few skills, for example not knowing

what to include on a CV or how to access a computer (please

see powerpoint presentation for further information). The

programme includes Certificated Learning, working closely

with college for example to help people work out their utility

bills, etc.

Partnerships

The Association is supporting internal groups to develop partnership and share ideas.

Initially the Revive group, also based at Ardenglen Housing Association, focused on the

health and wellbeing of people over the age of 50, but due to their success the group is

now incorporating the over 40s. Revive members also successfully completed a HIIC

course (Health Issues in the Community), and the volunteers bring various creative skills

and interests which the Association hopes to continue to support – and learn from.

A partnership with Urban Roots helped them to deliver Grow Your Own, and with a small

investment and some apple trees they have transformed a plot of land. They are also

encouraging people participating in The Only Way is Up to contribute to this gardening,

and have run ‘Good Grub’ with group members – a cookery program which focused on

using the local produce from their garden, but which also yielded a Food and Hygiene

certificate for participants.

The Housing Association also has good relationships with the local schools, and have

worked in partnership with Keys to Learn (for young people) alongside Glasgow

Homelessness Network. They have worked alongside Castlemillk High and GHN,

supporting young people around digital photography, IT and website design.

They have also received funding to transform a church into the Cathkin Braes Mountain

Bike and Activity Centre, and The Only Way is Up is central to making this partnership

work.

3 Angus McIntosh, Castlemilk Law Centre

Angus spoke specifically about two aspects of welfare reform: the

introduction of the Claimant Commitment, and the extension of the

sanctions programme.

Key points regarding the Claimant Commitment:

Instead of the old form, claimants now have a more extensive

agreement with the DWP regarding their work related

requirements.

This document enables the DWP to be more specific about why

an individual may not receive their benefit;

positive ideas for… improving health and

confidence

Check out Urban Roots!

It’s worthwhile knowing…

About the Claimant Commitment

All jobseekers fill in

and sign this document, and it

needs to be accurate

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Key points regarding Sanctions:

Sanctions existed previously within the benefits system, but

under welfare reform these have been extended from the most

common receipt of 1 week (1st sanction), 2 weeks (2nd sanction),

4 weeks (3rd sanction) to 4, 13, 26 and 156 weeks – a radical

increase

Sanctions are making people who are already on low incomes

poorer, resulting in leaving some people destitute;

People who are vulnerable are most likely to be receiving

sanctions, many of whom have responsibilities for other

vulnerable people such as children or ill relatives, and many who

also will encounter greater skills barriers.

Figures of UK sanctions from Oct 12 – Sept 13 were over

900,000. In 2013 – 2014 this went up to 1.1million sanctions.

50 – 55% of sanctions recipients are between the ages of 18

and 24.

Evictions

One of the important issues for housing associations is to help tenants in the worst

circumstances, including those at risk of evictions and homelessness; and this is

increasingly difficult due to welfare reform.

In the past year evictions have increased, but in the two years prior (2010 – 2012) there

was little variance.

Unexpected recent changes

Overall it appears that there has been a decrease for people experiencing problems with

Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Employment and Support Allowance – possibly because Atos

is no longer contracted by the DWP;

It’s worthwhile knowing…

That sanctions (money being

stopped) periods are longer now – starting

at 4 weeks and compounding

thereafter.

People who are vulnerable are more

likely to receive sanctions

It’s worthwhile knowing… What we can do about the changes

We need to be seeking better ways of working together.

But we also need to be acknowledging throughout the sector just how much

vulnerable people are struggling to cope. Tenants are experiencing higher levels

of poverty as a result of welfare reform (for example) – and we cannot ignore this

impact or assume what worked before will work now.

We need to be more specific about the problems, and we need to ‘shout about

them’

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The numbers of benefit tribunals in 2013 and before were ‘mushrooming’, but the

numbers of people being taken of disability benefits in recent months has been

decreasing substantially.

How the Law Centre has responded

Recognising the even great importance of working together in partnership, including

working with other CABs (for example);

Investigating setting up a welfare rights forum with advisers and welfare rights officers

within Housing Associations, in areas including Toryglen, Gorbals, Govanhill and

Castlemilk;

Closer involvement with local food banks. There isn’t currently much detail about why

people are going to food banks but there are some patterns such as just under half

being affected by benefit sanctions, some affected by private sector rental costs where

LHA doesn’t meet those costs, some who have a mortgage but a recent decrease in

income which puts them into debt, some who attend due to emergencies etc.

4 Clair Malpas, Cassiltoun Housing Association

Similarly to the Ardenglen Housing Association, Cassiltoun Housing Association supports

residents through a range of events and services. Here are some examples of Cassiltoun’s

response:

In 2010 the Housing Association looked at how many of their residents would be

affected by welfare reform: 90%; and as a business and a caring organisation Cassiltoun

knew they had to take address the changes and their impact.

Within their newsletters Casiltoun has kept residents up to date with the changes (the

next one is on Universal Credit, for example), but they work with a range of partners to

maximise available information and support for tenants – from the SFHA and the Forum

to other local services.

Cassiltoun Housing Association visited each of their tenants through evenings and

weekends in order to explain what the changes were and what support would be

available, as well as to capture information about each household.

As a result of the changes and these discussions the Association increased their advice

provision including a welfare rights officer and an assistant.

Cassiltoun looked at where residents were underclaiming, at carers’ exemptions and at

maximising household incomes. They also ensured that their property size was

accurate, published options to downsize, and redeveloped properties (ie splitting one for

two families).

In 2013 Cassiltoun ensured that all tenants affected by the bedroom tax received DHP

(Discretionary Housing Payment), and they continue to support tenants to mitigate the

effects of the bedroom tax.

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From April 2014 they had a full time welfare rights officer focused

on maximising benefits as well as budgeting (and who will be

offering training), and working with a local credit union; so far the

staff member has helped 12 people to set up bank accounts.

They are working with the SE foodbank, but they also hold a stock

of the foodbank’s parcels for emergencies and have close referral

routes so that an individual can be referred to the welfare rights

team as well as to the food bank very quickly.

Cassiltoun has a range of work focused on employability. They

work with the Jobcentre, and for example have had 8 work

placements with the Association; 4 people have participated in

placements, with 3 of them finding work. They also have an

employability project supporting people with increasing skills and

job searching and which will be expanding over its fourth year, out

of which 80% of people move into employment. They take on at

least 6 apprenticeships through their repairs team, and wherever

possible the Housing Association looks at where they can

‘shoehorn’ people into what they have now – what Cassiltoun

needs and what the local community needs.

Alongside Glasgow Life Cassiltoun offer ALN classes.

Next steps

Cassiltoun will continue building on their partnership work, on this co-dependency;

Decide on the future of the legacy furniture from the commonwealth games;

Recently signed contract with Spruce Carpets to offer free carpets and other furniture

initiatives for residents, as part of starterpacks so that people don’t start their homes in

debt;

Looking at accessing new funding for ongoing community needs and projects;

Looking at an IT suite and a financial inclusion officer to support IT access for residents

as well as the wider community;

Continue to lobby for change and understanding of the impact of reforms on

communities, including feeding into consultations

Positive ideas… Referral routes &

links to foodbanks

Might you be able to have food parcels

available for people at your service? Do

you know your local foodbanks and how

they accept referrals (as well as

alternatives if, for example, there are

referral limits?)

It’s worthwhile knowing… What we can do about the changes

Are you lobbying for change?

Is there anyone in your organisation feeding into consultations?

If you’re struggling for time and capacity to challenge and participate in

consultations, have you considered interns or volunteers? Universities to offer

work experience?

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5 Sharing Experiences, Barriers, Concerns and IDEAS…

Item Discussion & concerns Ideas & advice

What about associations whose tenants are spread out over miles – the local approach isn’t so easy

Participants discussed additional difficulties of working in wide geographic areas where engagement can be really difficult.

Mental health No one seems to be doing enough about mental health – and it is just getting worse due to reforms

IT skills…and working with Glasgow Life

Query regarding how hard it was for an organisation to work with Glasgow Life?

Just approach Glasgow Life! Previously one particular Housing Association was attempting to run IT classes but they weren’t very successful…so they approached GLife; it’s about being flexible, and they are up for working with us.

Lack of money People are ‘beyond poverty’ Peoples’ loss of income through

benefits being cut or reduced, or through sanctions, is having a substantial impact

It is so, so important to dedicate some time within services to gather evidence, participate in consultations – find creative ways to make it

It’s worthwhile knowing… Being creative could mean more jobs

Have you thought about ‘non traditional roles’ within your service, for example

Cassiltoun have an advert out for a ‘Creative Assistant’

Think about this: “What can we do as a housing provider [or other service] to

create new jobs.”

Look at how you can support other social enterprises, for example Cassiltoun

recently donated furniture to an upcycling project in the east end.

Recently Cassiltoun looked at the creation of a new business: a social enterprise

called Stables Nursery which now employs 14 full and part time workers plus a

pool of bank staff offering local people more accessible childcare

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part of your daily work

Wanting to work but…

People are put off having to claim on and off benefits, so they aren’t as willing to take O hour contracts (for example)

Reaching out to people

Many people have concerns about accessing advice agencies – examples include fear of facing debt issues, not knowing where to go or who is the best person/service to meet with, mental or physical health difficulties, past negative experiences with agencies, fear of children being removed, etc.;

Some housing associations are engaging with people where they are, trying to help them to come along to their offices

Knowing where to go

People are needing more support, and often more specific support, but they don’t always know where to go

Longer term support to find employment – or just to get support! (not meeting JCP expectations)

JCP expectations can often poorly match individuals’ current abilities, as well as 3rd sector support capability. For example the short term problem of someone not being able to apply for jobs on Universal Jobmatch due to low literacy skills is not a problem which can be ‘solved’ with a visit to a local support service or library.

One housing association noted that they have had someone sent to them by the JCP who is a chronic alcoholic and was sent to ‘get help with computers’… he doesn’t need online support he needs addictions support.

Fiona (Ardenglen Housing Association) highlighted the experience of one particular person, Thomas, whose story is indicative of the success of The Only Way is Up. Thomas was made redundant (from his job of 14 years), and lacked IT skills as well as the confidence to apply for and start a new job. He participated in the programme alongside staff and volunteers which resulted in his starting a new job after only 5 months of this support. Personalised support was key.

Making partnerships really work, even for ‘small’ things

Numerous housing associations and participants discussed the importance of forming partnerships that are really effective

One Housing Association shares their building with Scotcash and a Credit Union – this has a positive impact encouraging tenants to seek alternative and specific support;

Ardenglen Housing gave an example of their social committee applying for

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money to do a kite festival, with a 5 week kite making workshop preceding – involving the local school and the community to strengthen relationships and build confidence;

See many other examples from Cassiltoun and Castlemilk Law Centre above

Sanctions information…local areas & what people are told (or not)

How hard is it to find local sanctions information?

Information available to people from their local Jobcentre also varies widely

One individual noted that Prof. Webster’s work on sanctions in the city is useful, and that info from the DWP was published last year – but this did not draw on tribunals

People are often unaware they are being sanctioned (many participants agreed);

Letters provided to claimants are ‘dreadful’

“People are being told they can’t appeal. We need to re-educate people, and do this in simple, easy to read language.”

“Jobcentre staff aren’t clued up about what they are actually supposed to be telling claimants.”

One claimant was told she couldn’t apply for benefit s because she doesn’t have a national insurance number (she also has a 5 year old, and receives only asylum money)

There is a lack of consistency regarding what JCP clients receive across the city

Sanctions vary widely, as do treatment of claimants within JCP by work coaches. It can be useful to try to develop a local picture in partnerships with other services, and to work with individual work coaches in your area to try to prevent sanctions;

Connect Community Trust have a sheet they include in their packs for residents with information about what kinds of sanctions are there so that people are aware

At your first meeting with a tenant ask the question: “Do you have a claimant commitment?” Often they won’t have a copy of it, or won’t know they have one. Let people know some of the reasons why they may get sanctioned, and mention this again at a couple future meetings with the tenant as a reminder.

One housing association emphasised the importance of letting people know they have a right to assistance is they have a disability – they can ask to speak with a disability adviser at the JCP, for example

One Housing Association does interviews with people before they go to the JCP,

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particularly if they have mental health problems. They also practice the ESA interview and highlight the importance of the individual very specifically describing their problems - this saves time in the long term as tenant is then less likely to have to go through the reconsideration process

Is the DWP putting undue responsibility on the 3rd sector?

The DWP should be putting money into communities to support them through the changes – why aren’t we seeing any of this?

It never feels like the 3rd sector is an equal partner with the DWP

A lot of conversations happen locally with the DWP, but the question and concern is whether this is getting fed up;

How can we find the time to build partnerships?

It is important for Housing Associations to be feeding information to the DWP, but it would be useful to have a clear way to do this.

Jobs Business Glasgow

Jobs, Business Glasgow take the young people away from The Only Way is Up...and the young people report that they just sit there with nothing to do.

It would be useful to meet with Jobs Business Glasgow in a similar setting as this meeting today;

Scotcash work with the Wheatley Group

Scotcash are doing work with the Wheatly Group to provide bank accounts (

Impact on frontline staff

Perceptions about what housing associations do

Housing Associations are about more than just providing housing; they work to provide high quality housing, but they also do a range of community initiatives from health and fitness to IT classes;

Associations are sometimes perceived as ‘footsoldiers’ carrying out the government’s work (for example with the bedroom tax);

Part of Liz McEntee’s new role at GWSF is to raise the profile of the work of housing associations

Personal stories are essential in raising peoples’ awareness and understanding of the impact of reforms – we can all be doing this at local levels

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“I didn’t realise until today how much community work housing associations do [in addition to housing]”

“A housing association is looked upon as somewhere where you just end up.”…

Some participants noted that there was not enough respect for frontline staff and that this sometimes puts people off accessing the services they need; if there was a more positive perception, there would be greater positive engagement and it could prevent some of the crisis management;

Perceptions about the 3rd sector

There are wide misconceptions about what the 3rd sector does, and staff feel they are expected to mitigate problems (Housing associations expressed an identical view, see above);

Frontline staff

Food banks, parcels, sanctions & the impact of shame

There appears to be a problem with parents not asking for help because people are proud…and going to a food bank might indicate to others a lack of ability to manage, that they aren’t good parents, or that social work might become involved

Some people are taking advantage of food banks (examples of people not taking full responsibility for their needs, or perhaps facing addictions)

Some participants noted that some food banks still set a max of 3 sanctions; this is particularly concerning because of the probability of much longer sanction periods in the future;

Some housing associations are questioning why people need food parcels – finding out more, using this information for campaigning but also for local partnership building and local solutions;

One association noted that it only takes 5mins to get to the bottom of why someone needs a food parcel – but this is essential knowledge.

Have a list of food banks available for people who come to your service, particularly as not all food banks have a provision limit

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Bank accounts & UC

Participants expressed concern for those people without accounts, with the approach of Universal Credit;

One o

There are successful examples of no one having to lose their tenancy…

One housing association made a connection with the local food bank, applied for energy funding to get a ‘slush fund’ for people to pay for gas and electricity (SUZANNE L??)

Funding Services struggle to plan for their services if funding is uncertain;

“You have to rely on getting funding for 18 months only, then to keep people on…you have to start again” (this was in discussion regarding a welfare rights adviser at the association)

“It can take three years to get a project up and running…and by the time you build it up, the carpet’s ripped out from under you.”

Debt vs Rent, plus struggling Housing Associations….

Some tenants are seeing their loans as a priority before paying rent

Some housing associations remarked on how they used to have a regular and secure income, but that now it is becoming increasingly difficult to plan for the future

What happens when DHP disappears?

Advice and organisation services

People sometimes have a lack of trust of services;

Geographic issues; So many projects yet ‘no one

knows’ who does what and who is best at what;

Sometimes there are too many resources in one area;

Wording of projects and their areas of work can be misleading

Localised lists of organisations and service provisions;

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or confusing…without definitions of who does what;

Client commitment can sometimes vary;

Welfare reforms are changing the ways organisations are working (and can work)

Funding (and funders)

Lack of (or reduced) understanding of how much work goes into a project and how long it takes to have a good standard of training and knowledge…

Keeping up to date with reforms

Staying up to date with legislation changes and ensuring staff are trained and able to signpost/offer support where possible

Better networking and understanding goals of welfare reform;

Better and communications of changes (within organisations and with clients)

Engaging with JCP, DWP, HMRC and finding out how they are developing and preparing for changes;

Having good ideas…but

Struggling to find the skilled workers, funding, volunteers etc. to commit time to improving standards and/or creating a legacy

Have you explored other ways to find support? Funding? Volunteers? Interns? Universities?

People not having enough experience, skills and/or confidence to take ‘next step’ and engage with a service – let alone look for a job

Ex of way to address this barrier through ‘Only Way is Up’ at Ardenglen Housing

People need to feel more assertive, so this is where your focus should be;

JCP Ex provided where 3 individuals were told by their local JCP to go to the local 3rd sector service to get support for their literacy/computer needs – but their needs required long term support rather than the immediate ‘fix’ required by JCP (in order to maintain benefits, for example); this puts undue pressure on the 3rd sector, unreasonable expectations;

In the ex of 3 individuals, the 3rd sector service manager went to speak with the Jobcentre…but they keep sending people, and people who come along report it as a ‘nice, friendly environment where there’s no pressure’

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People come to services with so many different needs – how to meet them all?

People may come with many different circumstances and needs, and it can be hard to know where to start – and where you start may not even be with the issue the person brings that seems the most relevant to your service! So organisations get pulled in lots of different directions.

Maximise partnerships built on the trust you are developing with people coming to your service. Look at trends and why people are coming to your particular service; is it reputation for care? Is it skill specific? Find these things out and monitor – and respond/change – as you go.

It seems simple…but each person using a service needs to “be made to feel like a person. We are saying they’re worth this support, but they also need to take responsibility for what they can control.”

Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF) remit

One of the barriers for GWSF is their broad geographic remit, having housing stock across the country with differing Council policies; this results in a lack of consistency and subsequent concern that people receive varying levels of support. There is also inconsistency within Glasgow regarding what tenants receive across the city;

Participants suggested greater awareness of GWSF’s work, as well as the project work of welfare trackers (a blog was of particular interest to a number of participants);

Transferring information between agencies

Our voices.

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8 Final feedback forms

Participants were asked to complete two forms upon leaving the session, answering three questions: What concerns them most, do they see anyone responding to that concern/have ideas, and how can GCVS ensure the event isn’t just “another talking shop”

8.1 Strong concerns and any responses (part of evaluation)

What concerns you most about welfare reform?

Do you see anyone responding to that concern? If yes, how? If no, do you have any ideas?

Universal Credit – in arrears etc. Could lead to an increase in domestic violence

Continue to lobby everyone!

The lack of accurate information from the DWP, lack of information, conflicting information, sanction information not clear

More information from the government is required. Yes, long waiting times for clients within our HA to see welfare officers

The process [at the Jobcentre]

is so, so disheartening.

Staff at the Jobcentres

haven't been trained about

UC or PIP.

The Jobcentre keeps sending

people

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(various respondants0 Hardships that people face in these reforms All agencies here to communicate and work

together to reduce hardship The scale of the impact – increased hardship and poverty but without stable employment prospects at a reasonable living wage

Don not see a single solution – need representative bodies

It started out as a BIG FEAR! Now with the slower roll out process it seems like the fear has subsided and people are less interested in preparing

Too much information from too many sources

Poverty, hopelessness, loss of your home Lack of communication. More ‘top down’ government administration.

Pressure being put on housing associations and 3rd sector organisations to offer support and to mitigate damages being caused by government policy

I see housing associations and the forum responding to this concern and highlighting the good work that the sector does, referring people to the correct services etc. We need to quantify all the good work that is being done!

Lack of information and funding to ease the impact of these sessions

Yes – we are continually developing our Tow__? Programme

I think housing associations will respond to all matters related to benefits for tenants

The government, atos… Remove the government. Remove the people making the decisions to remove people from benefits

How it will affect poor people We as a forum and as individual organisations. HAs are already responding

Sanctions Welfare team at HA Basic cost of utilities Fuel advisers Lack of understanding form the DWP …not seeing anything Conflicting and lack of information from local level JCP and DWP information

Yes, but long waiting times for service users to see a welfare officer. Which can have a devastating impact on the community. An idea would be to have a welfare rights officer based at local community centres. Working at the NW Women’s Centre we see desperate women every day and can only give limited help and advice

Poverty and destitution Yes, HAs CABs, charities across the city Cumulative impact, impact on mental health, what’s coming…housing benefit being removed from young people

Those working to move people forward in life – there are some inspiring stories from today! But people are too busy fire fighting, crisis managing… Make politicians listen!

Knowledge that the customer should have but they don’t have…

The ignorance of the changes CAP: Christians Against Poverty Is an organisation whom I have found to be very helpful with service users

The levels of sanctions and the poverty that this is creating – and the prospect that this is

Important for the forum and for partners in the city to keep gathering information about the

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not going to change after the next UK election…so we need more control of welfare policy from Scotland

impact, and lobbying for change

Probably just people not getting the help they need…I do think the Universal Credit will be a positive for people who are keen to work and whose money goes up and down, as I believe UC will stop the need to stop/start claims

Greatest impact on the most vulnerable families, facing destitution or already destitute – caused by the benefit system, which is supposed to be there as a safety net for the most vulnerable

1 Parent Families Scotland – financial capability for lone parents – but need more funding. Housing Associations and Credit Unions also responding

Lack of funding for organisations to keep working on projects which started over 2 years ago awaiting UC

Not really…

The impact on families, especially single parent families

Yes, I think everyone knows this is a major problem and will do their best to help

The effect on lone parents and the increase in ‘acute poverty’ across Glasgow

OPPS and other groups working together, but more should be done

Effect on vulnerable groups that lack support Yes, services in 3rd sector and government organisations such as the NHS liaison team making referrals for prevention

8.2 Positive ideas moving forward (part of evaluation)

How can we ensure that you don’t leave today thinking “that was just another talking shop…we need to DO something?!” We need your ideas.

Community Hubs need tenants and 3rd sector to talk about issues and network between services Mandatory table swapping to meet as many people as possible – next time! Get each of the organisations who attended to take a turn doing a presentation ie 3 organisations at each table giving each other ideas We need people to realise that we are all providing a good quality and credible service. We need to stop the media and the press highlighting negatives of our sector and we need to strengthen the network so that people can access services that they need Campaigning A more focused approach to collaborative working is needed We need to hold hands and support each other – that includes our people Keen to see mainstream services and statutory bodies (DWP, JCP etc) be more aware of the impact of welfare reform, and of their lack of understanding of the most vulnerable groups GCVS could organise an event with speakers from one parent families, a disability group,

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etc., then invite above audience to first hear the reality from our clients…then discuss what we can all do to work better together to ensure clients get the most effective and appropriate support That there should be an action plan in place…before we leave today We need government to set up a funding body for training to address funds for organisations Follow up with ideas sharing and contacts A co-ordinated media campaign that highlights impact on different groups – shock people into action! Challenge politicians to live for a month with no money? Housing Associations and 3rd sector need to work more closely within their local areas Regular meetings like this where we can share ideas and support each other Knowledge and idea sharing very interesting and helpful. I will definitely sign up to the blog Additional sessions on housing associations activities and projects…it would be great to stay up to date with projects Explain how a small centre servicing a high level of vulnerable women can help these women to combat and understand how to deal with welfare reform. Where can we access, budget and fund a welfare rights officer to help and advise these women at the Women’s Centre where they feel more comfortable and at ease? Hold another meeting – A FULL DAY Keep these joint housing 3rd sector meetings going. It’s good to connect and share. We need to work together! Involve the politicians Feedback from this and other conferences and seminars

9 Evaluations

Of the 52 attendees, 17 filled out evaluations (33%), with a high percentage of people also filling in above final two questions.

Hopes for the session that appeared to be fulfilled (scoring mostly 4s and 5s)

4.00 average

Learn about welfare reform (couple participants)

Learn from housing associations;

More campaigning ideas;

Take back ideas (another participant noted needing ideas for the ‘best way forward’)

Take back working relationships;

Information to help tenants;

Problem sharing;

Sign posting;

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Hear others’ experiences;

To find out more about housing associations and how they are helping tenants with welfare reform (couple participants)

Hopes for the session that seemed to be less fulfilled (scoring 3s)

One participant noted ‘comparing others’ experiences’ and building partnerships;

One participant noted: ‘information to share with service users, clients, to inform them of what is going on – and what is available in their area;

One participant noted: ‘Increased contact’ Most useful What’s happening in other areas;

All information good and helpful for us to take back to the association;

Presentations (three participants);

Hearing what everyone is doing to address welfare reform;

Getting to discuss the real issues;

Knowledge of others;

Questioning and answering;

Hearing from a speaker what CAN be achieved in their area with enthusiasm and support right across the board, whether it be young/old, social skills/ interaction – for the PEOPLE in the community where they live;

Meeting with other organisations, networking (couple participants)

Sharing issues;

Open discussion and information shared;

The work the Housing associations do outwith providing housing;

What participants will do in response

Take ideas back to my association;

Give ideas to my organisation (not a housing association)

Find out more about how others are dealing with reforms;

Take ideas back to my management committee;

Push to have a welfare rights officer based at [my service]

Contact housing associations and hopefully work in partnership

Participants noted they would share information with: o Colleagues in service (x12); External colleagues (x5);

Service users (x8); Others they know (x7) Did anything not feel relevant?

The majority of participants noted ‘N/A’ for this, or didn’t respond

One participant noted that there was too much focus on the things individual housing associations do;

One participant would have liked more ‘hard facts’ about sanction statistics and welfare reform from presenters;

I learned a lot 4.3 average Allowed me to say what wanted

4.0 average

Will take particular points with me

4.1 average

Made me think constructively

4.1 average

Suggestions Update on how reforms are affecting other housing associations;

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about next steps or future sessions

Have a strong plan to further the GWSF campaign;

Anything related to welfare reform;

Updates; more information;

More housing associations talking to each other about what works and what doesn’t work;

Send out written information;

More meetings like today;

Inform service users of what is available in their areas;

More frequent opportunities to share issues;

Follow up to see how session affected others;

To be kept informed about what GWSF are planning and delivering;

8 Future Blans

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4 What can the 3rd sector do to support people to avoid sanctions?

5 Accessing services

6 Discussion Points

positive ideas for… where to get a welfare rights

officer?

Phone social work (287 2000), contact

the GAIN network, visit a CAB, speak

with your housing officer or support

worker…