Community Money Advice Setting up a Debt Advice Centre

Claire Daniels Social Media Manager Operations Support Manager (NE)

Community Money Advice:  …..has set up over 130 money/debt advice projects  …..trained 497 people as generalist advisers in 2013  …..advisers often have little or no experience of giving debt advice before getting involved  …..client’s debts range from a few pounds to over £1m  …..provides a range of support services for centres

What is Debt Advice? Debt advice is a series of tools and professional strategies that can be used to help clients with financial difficulties

How can we do that?  Enabling clients to maximise their income  Explaining the implications of non-payment of their debts  Helping them to decide which are priorities  Assisting them to plan their budgeting  Helping them to choose a strategy  Assisting by advice or representation with the implementation of whatever strategy is chosen

Regulated or not…?  FCA authorisation  What is regulated activity?  What can you do if you are not authorised?  What can you do if you are authorised?

How do you set up a centre?  A sense of calling  Background reading and research  Visiting existing centres  Talking to those with a common interest (eg CAB)  Deciding on what sort of project you wish to have  Calling for volunteers/staff

How do you set up a centre?  Premises and practicalities  Authorisation / Policies & Procedures / Insurance  Training  Funding  Reference & Publicity materials  Opening

What role can you play?  Become a debt adviser  Be a budget counsellor / coach  Provide administration support  Run a centre  Answer the telephone & make appointments  Make tea or coffee and hand out the tissues  Become a financial donor

What services does CMA offer?  Help, advice & mentoring for those setting up a centre and ongoing (OSM)  Model Policies & Procedures  Bespoke centre administration software  Free membership of AdviceUK  Reduced fee indemnity insurance  Training from basic through to skilled & specialist level

What services does CMA offer?  Freephone Adviceline 12 hrs a day / 5 dpw  Annual conference  Information update & exchange  Website with online resources  Referral service for DROs and IVAs  Regional network for further support

Community Money Advice No amount of training will prepare you for your first client!

AdviceUK and money advice FinCan Forum Meeting The Davidson Building Gateshead 16 th July 2015 Jayne Bellis Business Development Consultant (Northern)

Content About AdviceUK Benefits of membership & money advice support. AdvicePro case management system Consultancy services

About AdviceUK Largest network of independent advice agencies in the UK ( 750+ members) Founded 1979 as Federation of Independent Advice Centres (FIAC) England, Wales and Scotland ( partner Advice NI) Currently 23 staff, mostly based in London

Who are Members of AdviceUK? Diverse in terms of size, operating identity and focus 25% specifically target services on niche client groups, e.g. BAMER communities, disabled people, etc. Predominantly urban Many members do not have advice as their sole or main focus e.g. RSL’s, community trusts, charitable trusts and student services

Money advice provision Over 400 AdviceUK members provide money advice 96% provide face to face advice 53% deliver money advice in community outreach centres. 31% of members also offer financial capability

Some current issues Economic environment Regulation Prescriptive Requirements Current Trends A whole person approach

Member services Member updates, communications and events Consultancy AdvicePro case management software VCS Insurance Croner Business Support Helpline Training & staff development Jobs in Advice Annual Conference Influencing and opinion-forming

Money Advice Support: To members – Money advice consultancy and support – Competent Authority for Debt Relief Orders – Access to free Wiseradviser training – Access to National Homelessness Advice Service – Access to Expert Advice Team at Citizens Advice Influencing and opinion-forming – Research & consultation responses – Member of FCA Consumer Network, Money Advice Service Debt Advice Programme Advisory Forum, FOS Consumer Liaison Group, etc.

AdvicePro CMS Case management software Secure cloud based Enables flexible and efficient working Over users in 200+ agencies Advice agencies, LA’s, RSL’s, immigration and disability charities and Student Unions. Compliant with LSC, MAS & CFS

Consultancy Services All members get free support from AdviceUK consultancy team Expertise also available for paid for assignments, reports and projects Wide range of expertise available e.g. each region has different expertise Support to secure external funding for consultancy work

Northern Region Expertise Social enterprise, income generation, governance & legal structure Funding Money debt & benefits advice & training People and soft skills Advice team set up, management, compliance, systems, procedures. Social media, marketing and community engagement. Evaluation, feasibility studies and report projects Financial Capability projects

Any questions?

Contact details Jayne Bellis Business Development Coordinator (Northern Region) Telephone Mobile