Building links between advice agencies and solicitors

in Bedfordshire

Len Simkins Bedfordshire Advice Forum

len.simkins@infotrain.co.uk

Bedfordshire Advice Forum

BAF is the network of not-for-profit, social welfare, advice and information providers

in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Advice ForumBedfordshire Advice Forum

BedfordBorough

CentralBedfordshire

Cambridgeshire

Hertfordshire

Northamptonshire

Buckinghamshire

Luton

Milton Keynes

Bedfordshire Advice Forum

Established in 1997 - to promote and support advice services, through networking, training and support

42 members – CABx, Age UK, housing associations, council advice services, hostels, community organisations – including a number of AdviceUK members

Bedfordshire Advice Forum

• Forum meetings for members

• Training courses on advice skills and issues

• Network meetings for benefit advisers

• Online Advice Directory

• Strategic promotion for advice sector– Local Advice Strategies

• Advice related projects– Solicitors Project

• BAF websitewww.bedsadviceforum.org.uk

Advice Strategy

Will develop a strategic approach to the funding, commissioning and planning of advice

Various action points including:

“Develop closer links between the not-for-profit advice sector and other providers”

SOLICITORS PROJECT

ADVICE STRATEGY

Developing closer links between the not-for-profit advice sector

and other providers

LocalSolicitors

Solicitors Project

TRANSFORMING LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

PROJECT

Establishing better partnerships with local business community

ADVICE UK

Supporting local advice networks to develop closer

links with solicitorsAccess to Justice Foundation Project

Closer links with solicitors

• Benefits for BAF, BAF members, solicitors, and for our clients.

• Benefits could include:

increased awareness of services – from BAF members and solicitors

promoting pro bono work from solicitors developing better cross-referrals between

BAF members and solicitors discussing joint ventures (eg shared training)

• Project plan agreed by BAF Steering Group

• Funding obtained from TLI Project

• Support agreed from AdviceUK

• Consultation at BAF Forum meeting

• Online survey of BAF members (by AdviceUK)

• Project sub-group meeting Discussed report on online survey Drafted letter inviting to solicitors to event

• Feedback obtained from selected solicitors

Work completed

• Invite solicitors to local events to discuss the benefits of developing closer links with advice agencies

• Undertake further work: Agree protocols/policies for

pro bono sessions Develop other links with

local solicitors Extend project to Luton?

• Apply for further funding

Next steps

Learning points

• Get some funding

• Use a partnership approach

• Make sure the aims of the project are clear