Community Legal Advice Centre
Barking and Dagenham Community Legal Advice Centre
As part of their strategy for the Community Legal Service, the Legal Services Commission is setting up Community Legal Advice Services in partnership with local authorities. The chief aim is that the Community Legal Advice Centre will deliver an integrated legal advice service.
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham believes that the need for integrated advice services on Social Welfare Law has never been greater than now, with many people locally needing help with multiple problems.
The Community Legal Advice Centre will provide integrated, accessible, end-to-end legal advice services including a generalist and specialist legal advice and representation service for clients across Barking and Dagenham.
The Community Legal Advice Centre will improve access to legal advice services for local residents by offering clients a range of advice services in the social welfare categories and family at all levels; from basic information and advice through to representation at court.
Tendering for a new Community Legal Advice Centre in Barking and Dagenham
The Council and the Legal Service Commission invite tenders for the provision of a Community Legal Advice Centre (or CLA Centre) in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
The tender process opens on 27 October 2009 and closes at 12 Noon on Friday 8 January 2010. Potential bidders will have the opportunity to submit questions relating to the tender process until 12 Noon on 20 November 2009.
All questions should be emailed to clspolicy@legalservices.gov.uk. All questions received, along with our subsequent answers, will be published on this page on the 27 November 2009.
Further to this, a public meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 November 2009 from 14.00 to 15.30 at Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, Essex, IG11 7NB to provide potential bidders or interested parties with an additional opportunity to raise questions on the tender and evaluation process.
The following documents constitute the Tender Pack that an organisation who wishes to tender for the contract would need in order to put together a bid.
Invitation to Tender (ITT)
This document contains all the relevant information necessary to put together a bid, including, the specification of services, background information, detailed performance standards and instructions on how to complete the Tender Form and how that would be scored.
Tender Form
This form contains all of the criteria that a potential bidder would need to meet in order to submit a tender for evaluation.
Barking and Dagenham CLA Centre Needs Analysis
This needs analysis was completed in 2008 and was used to inform the development of the specification of services for the Barking and Dagenham CLA Centre.
We intend to make a copy of the draft CLA Centre Contract available to potential bidders week beginning the 16 November 2009.
Invitation to Tender (ITT) PDF 366K
Barking and Dagenham CLA Centre Tender Form PDF 185K
To view PDF files requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Monday, 26 October 2009
Young People - Presentation at AdviceUK Conference 2009
Click here <-----Link to Just right presentation from AdviceUk conference on our coalition - October 2009
Click here <-----Link to "The Advice Gap for Young People"
Click here <-----Link to "The Advice Gap for Young People"
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Grants public consultation
London Councils has started the process of developing priorities for the prospective 2011-15 grants programme.
The early stages involve consultation on scoping options for potential services. The consultation period runs from early November 2009 through to the end of January 2010.
London Councils has arranged a series of public meetings to engage with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible on these priorities.
Read more or book online
Contact: Ian Redding, head of grants
The early stages involve consultation on scoping options for potential services. The consultation period runs from early November 2009 through to the end of January 2010.
London Councils has arranged a series of public meetings to engage with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible on these priorities.
Read more or book online
Contact: Ian Redding, head of grants
Safeguarding London's children
Places are available to exchange ideas and information at the Safeguarding London's Children Conference, with representatives from local and central government, social care, education, health, police and the third sector attending.
The conference, held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Wednesday 9 December, is organised by the London Safeguarding Children Board.
It will provide a forum for professionals, members and volunteers from all agencies to discuss how to improve multi-agency child protection practice.
Find out more about the conference
Register for the conference
Contact: Ian Dean, principal policy and projects officer
The conference, held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Wednesday 9 December, is organised by the London Safeguarding Children Board.
It will provide a forum for professionals, members and volunteers from all agencies to discuss how to improve multi-agency child protection practice.
Find out more about the conference
Register for the conference
Contact: Ian Dean, principal policy and projects officer
Andy Ludlow awards 2009
Broadway Housing and Support has been awarded the top prize of £20,000 at the 2009 Andy Ludlow Homelessness awards.
The organisation's successful migrant intervention project has helped transform the lives of hundreds of vulnerable eastern European migrants, in close partnership with Polish charity the Barka Foundation.
The Andy Ludlow awards, supported by the London boroughs, CLG, London Housing Foundation, Shelter, Inside Housing and London Councils' grants committee, have a total prize money of £43,000.
This year's awards were presented by housing minister John Healey MP.
Find out about this year's winner
Watch short films online about the shortlisted projects
Contact: Ian Brown, promotions officer
The organisation's successful migrant intervention project has helped transform the lives of hundreds of vulnerable eastern European migrants, in close partnership with Polish charity the Barka Foundation.
The Andy Ludlow awards, supported by the London boroughs, CLG, London Housing Foundation, Shelter, Inside Housing and London Councils' grants committee, have a total prize money of £43,000.
This year's awards were presented by housing minister John Healey MP.
Find out about this year's winner
Watch short films online about the shortlisted projects
Contact: Ian Brown, promotions officer
London Councils Summit
London summit
Places are going fast at London Councils' summit, 'Towards May 2010: The Future of Local Politics', at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Saturday 7 November. Space is limited so book online as soon as possible to attend.
Find out more and book online
Contact: Emma Stewart, promotions manager
Places are going fast at London Councils' summit, 'Towards May 2010: The Future of Local Politics', at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on Saturday 7 November. Space is limited so book online as soon as possible to attend.
Find out more and book online
Contact: Emma Stewart, promotions manager
Time to Change
Time to Change is a nationwide campaign aimed at removing the stigma associated with mental health disability.
As part of that campaign, Mind is leading a project called Time to Challenge, and is seeking to use the legal process to challenge stigma and discrimination.
Mind wants to help people with mental health problems to challenge employers and service providers if they feel that they have experienced discrimination.
We are also happy to help resolve difficulties relating to the retention of personal data concerning their mental health condition by hospitals or the police.
We will always seek to assist individuals to identify whether they have a potential claim and to offer advice and assistance.
We cannot always become directly involved or agree to represent individuals in bringing a case, however, we can do so if a case would meet our "casework criteria", which means:
1. It must raise a point of public importance not yet addressed with any clarity in the law.
2. It should be capable of being used to challenge existing legislation or case law.
3. It should be within legal time limits for bringing that type of claim.
We have assisted people in a number who are having difficulty establishing that their disability falls within the DDA, and we have also worked on cases trying to identify reasonable adjustments which an employer or education provider should make for someone with a mental health disability.
We are also keen to identify and challenge direct discrimination and behaviour that may amount to harassment - where an individual feels that he or she is working in a hostile or unfriendly working environment and feel targeted because of a mental health disability.
We are also particularly interested in assisting with cases where employers should have known that a person was experiencing mental health issues, but no assistance was offered.
All enquiries should be made in the first instance to Pauline Dall.
Pauline Dall
Lawyer
Mind Legal Unit
p.dall@mind.org.uk
020 8215 2284
As part of that campaign, Mind is leading a project called Time to Challenge, and is seeking to use the legal process to challenge stigma and discrimination.
Mind wants to help people with mental health problems to challenge employers and service providers if they feel that they have experienced discrimination.
We are also happy to help resolve difficulties relating to the retention of personal data concerning their mental health condition by hospitals or the police.
We will always seek to assist individuals to identify whether they have a potential claim and to offer advice and assistance.
We cannot always become directly involved or agree to represent individuals in bringing a case, however, we can do so if a case would meet our "casework criteria", which means:
1. It must raise a point of public importance not yet addressed with any clarity in the law.
2. It should be capable of being used to challenge existing legislation or case law.
3. It should be within legal time limits for bringing that type of claim.
We have assisted people in a number who are having difficulty establishing that their disability falls within the DDA, and we have also worked on cases trying to identify reasonable adjustments which an employer or education provider should make for someone with a mental health disability.
We are also keen to identify and challenge direct discrimination and behaviour that may amount to harassment - where an individual feels that he or she is working in a hostile or unfriendly working environment and feel targeted because of a mental health disability.
We are also particularly interested in assisting with cases where employers should have known that a person was experiencing mental health issues, but no assistance was offered.
All enquiries should be made in the first instance to Pauline Dall.
Pauline Dall
Lawyer
Mind Legal Unit
p.dall@mind.org.uk
020 8215 2284
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Dates for next years diary
Public Holidays in England and Wales in 2010
New Year's Day
January 1
Good Friday
April 2
Easter Monday
April 5
Early May Bank Holiday
May 3
Spring Bank Holiday
May 31
Summer Bank Holiday
August 30
Christmas Day Holiday
December 27
Boxing Day Holiday
December 28
New Year's Day
January 1
Good Friday
April 2
Easter Monday
April 5
Early May Bank Holiday
May 3
Spring Bank Holiday
May 31
Summer Bank Holiday
August 30
Christmas Day Holiday
December 27
Boxing Day Holiday
December 28
Spotlight on Day Centres
Just a reminder that the Spotlight on Day Centres event next week.
This event will be held at Homeless Link’s Rushworth Street offices on the 28th October between 9.45am – 1pm.
A free lunch will be provided after the event. Please see attached flyer for details of speakers.
Please contact Jane Bancroft (020 7960 3016) by 23rd October to book a free place. A £25 non attendance will be charged to people who book a place but do NOT show up on the day.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Best wishes,
Jane Bancroft
London Development Officer
Homeless Link
10-13 Rushworth Street
London
SE1 0RB
Tel: 020 7960 3016 www.homeless.org.uk
Changing services: changing lives
Are you ready to change your service? This one-day conference will explore all of the changes that can be made within your service to more effectively support someone who is homeless.
14 January Birmingham
www.homeless.org.uk/events
Homeless Link is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales at the above address.
Charity Registration no: 1089173
Company Registration no: 4313826
This event will be held at Homeless Link’s Rushworth Street offices on the 28th October between 9.45am – 1pm.
A free lunch will be provided after the event. Please see attached flyer for details of speakers.
Please contact Jane Bancroft (020 7960 3016) by 23rd October to book a free place. A £25 non attendance will be charged to people who book a place but do NOT show up on the day.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Best wishes,
Jane Bancroft
London Development Officer
Homeless Link
10-13 Rushworth Street
London
SE1 0RB
Tel: 020 7960 3016 www.homeless.org.uk
Changing services: changing lives
Are you ready to change your service? This one-day conference will explore all of the changes that can be made within your service to more effectively support someone who is homeless.
14 January Birmingham
www.homeless.org.uk/events
Homeless Link is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales at the above address.
Charity Registration no: 1089173
Company Registration no: 4313826
Friday, 16 October 2009
New facts on unemployment and debt in London
In the wake of the financial and economic crisis, London's free debt advice services have seen the demand for their help soar to unprecedented levels since 2008 as more and more people face unemployment and difficulties in accessing credit or dealing with their existing debt and creditors.
Based on the London Debt Summit last summer and the report 'Up to our neck in it', the London Debt Strategy Group was established by Toynbee Hall and London's Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes to consider strategic and practical solutions to the problems facing Londoners in debt.
The data which the Debt Strategy Group can draw on are the product of a unique collaboration by London's biggest providers of free debt advice, including Capitalise, Community Links, the Citizens Advice Bureaux, and the Legal Services Commission.
This provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis available. Key facts to note:
* Legal Services Commission has seen a 20% increase in new debt cases that they have funded in London over the last year
* The advice sector as a whole has seen an increase of 22% in new debt advice cases in London from April 08 to April 09
* Interestingly Capitalise is now seeing significantly fewer financially excluded clients (as measured against the Government definition) than 12 months ago.
This continues the trend of a changing caseload for Capitalise made up of increasing numbers of low waged homeowners accessing services and a consequential reduction in the number of non-working social tenants accessing services - the crowding out phenomenon highlighted at the Debt Summit in June.
One of the key questions now is to try and find out what has happened to this traditional client base. Capitalise would be pleased to hear from anyone with additional data or experience to share: 020 7392 2953 or email: capitalise@toynbeehall.org.uk.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
MoJ Update - Review into Delivery of Legal Aid
Review into Delivery of Legal Aid
The MoJ has announced today a review into the delivery of legal aid.
The review is to ensure that the £2.1 billion currently spent on legal aid every year is delivering best value for money, providing a healthy and sustainable future for social welfare law and effectively integrating the criminal defence service with the criminal justice system.
The government has invited Sir Ian Magee to conduct the review. He has been asked to assess the delivery and governance arrangements of the legal aid system and make recommendations to:
1. explore the separation of the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) and Community Legal Service (CLS) and options for doing so effectively and efficiently should that be the recommended way forward
2. provide for effective and transparent financial management of both funds and their administration
3. provide for effective ministerial accountability and policy direction in respect of both the CDS and CLS, whilst continuing to ensure that every application to the CLS and CDS funds are decided fairly, within the criteria, at arm's length from government
4. Identify appropriate delivery models for both the CDS and CLS and their relationship with the ministry.
Sir Ian Magee has said that he will be consulting with the judiciary, the legal profession and relevant public bodies who play a part in the delivery of legal aid.
Individuals and organisations interested in providing input into the Magee Review can do so via email to mageereview@justice.gsi.gov.uk
Sir Ian Magee will report back to the government in January 2010. For further information, please visit the MoJ's website or click here.
The MoJ has announced today a review into the delivery of legal aid.
The review is to ensure that the £2.1 billion currently spent on legal aid every year is delivering best value for money, providing a healthy and sustainable future for social welfare law and effectively integrating the criminal defence service with the criminal justice system.
The government has invited Sir Ian Magee to conduct the review. He has been asked to assess the delivery and governance arrangements of the legal aid system and make recommendations to:
1. explore the separation of the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) and Community Legal Service (CLS) and options for doing so effectively and efficiently should that be the recommended way forward
2. provide for effective and transparent financial management of both funds and their administration
3. provide for effective ministerial accountability and policy direction in respect of both the CDS and CLS, whilst continuing to ensure that every application to the CLS and CDS funds are decided fairly, within the criteria, at arm's length from government
4. Identify appropriate delivery models for both the CDS and CLS and their relationship with the ministry.
Sir Ian Magee has said that he will be consulting with the judiciary, the legal profession and relevant public bodies who play a part in the delivery of legal aid.
Individuals and organisations interested in providing input into the Magee Review can do so via email to mageereview@justice.gsi.gov.uk
Sir Ian Magee will report back to the government in January 2010. For further information, please visit the MoJ's website or click here.
Monday, 12 October 2009
AdviceUk Conference 2009 Feedback
Unleashing the power of adviceOn Thursday 1 October 2009, over 150 delegates from across the advice sector gathered at the Studio in Birmingham for Unleashing the Power of Advice, AdviceUK’s second annual conference.
AdviceUK was delighted by the turnout –every region of the UK, every advice area and every size of member was represented. You can see it all as it happened on the Photos page.
Having feasted on bacon butties, muffins and coffee the delegates were welcomed by Steve Johnson, AdviceUK’s Chief Executive, who in turn introduced the speakers for the morning – Mike Bell of MBARC and Mick McAteer of the Financial Inclusion Centre – who both gave talks on the challenges facing the sector and ideas for making the most of the current circumstances and not rolling over.
We were delighted to be joined by two very different but equally interesting politicians.
Henry Bellingham, Shadow Spokesman for Justice for the Conservative Party spoke excellently about some of the funding issues faced by the sector and some of the ideas for meeting them.
Clare Short, Independent Labour MP, in whose constituency the conference was held, gave a passionate and inspiring talk about the valuable work done by the advice sector and met all questions head on.The day also included a number of practical and exciting workshops.
The Working Together For Advice teams gave valuable updates on the quality standard, collaborative working and equality and diversity in the advice sector.
Youth Access and AgeUK led sessions on the specific advice needs of younger and older people, while Sue Brown of Tower Hamlets Law Centre and Stephanie Dickinson of Island Advice Centre led people in discussions on mergers and consortia.
Many advice centres have internal challenges and Wesley Harcourt led a session on management committees. Turn2Us talked about helping clients with money by using online tools. David Hawkes, AdviceUK’s money advice co-ordinator ran a packed session on issues in money advice.
The conference also continued AdviceUK’s campaign on systems thinking with a full session on what the crucial work being done in this area, and a fascinating exhibition supported by Nottingham Council. Nottingham has entered a strong project to introduce systems thinking to advice services and many delegates, among them Henry Bellingham, took a strong interest the techniques being trialled. More news coming soon!
AdviceUK once again held its Annual General Meeting at the end of the conference, which was well attended.However, this was a special day for AdviceUK too. In September we celebrated our 30th anniversary of supporting the vital work being carried out by you. No birthday is complete without a cake and Clare Short made the inaugural cut for us.
Finally, no event such as this is possible without the support of various exhibitors and sponsors. Once again we ran a competition, this year to win an iPod. This was sponsored by Paymex, to whom we are very grateful. The lucky winner was Katie Roberts of the University of Derby Students’ Union. Congratulations Katie.Our principal sponsor was CCLA so many thanks to them for their generous support.We would also like to thank Allied International Credit who sponsored the attendance of 5 smaller members who would otherwise not have been able to attend.
However, we are, of course, grateful to all our exhibitors and sponsors and we encourage you to find out more about them by visiting their web sites. You can find out more on the Sponsors and exhibitors page.
The AdviceUK conference will return next year. If you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us – and if you attended this year’s event, please do remember to fill in the online evaluation form. We'll be sending you details very shortly.
Jonathan Moles
Business Development Manager
See links for documents, presentations and other infomation:
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference/conferencepresentations
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference/conferencephotos
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference
AdviceUK was delighted by the turnout –every region of the UK, every advice area and every size of member was represented. You can see it all as it happened on the Photos page.
Having feasted on bacon butties, muffins and coffee the delegates were welcomed by Steve Johnson, AdviceUK’s Chief Executive, who in turn introduced the speakers for the morning – Mike Bell of MBARC and Mick McAteer of the Financial Inclusion Centre – who both gave talks on the challenges facing the sector and ideas for making the most of the current circumstances and not rolling over.
We were delighted to be joined by two very different but equally interesting politicians.
Henry Bellingham, Shadow Spokesman for Justice for the Conservative Party spoke excellently about some of the funding issues faced by the sector and some of the ideas for meeting them.
Clare Short, Independent Labour MP, in whose constituency the conference was held, gave a passionate and inspiring talk about the valuable work done by the advice sector and met all questions head on.The day also included a number of practical and exciting workshops.
The Working Together For Advice teams gave valuable updates on the quality standard, collaborative working and equality and diversity in the advice sector.
Youth Access and AgeUK led sessions on the specific advice needs of younger and older people, while Sue Brown of Tower Hamlets Law Centre and Stephanie Dickinson of Island Advice Centre led people in discussions on mergers and consortia.
Many advice centres have internal challenges and Wesley Harcourt led a session on management committees. Turn2Us talked about helping clients with money by using online tools. David Hawkes, AdviceUK’s money advice co-ordinator ran a packed session on issues in money advice.
The conference also continued AdviceUK’s campaign on systems thinking with a full session on what the crucial work being done in this area, and a fascinating exhibition supported by Nottingham Council. Nottingham has entered a strong project to introduce systems thinking to advice services and many delegates, among them Henry Bellingham, took a strong interest the techniques being trialled. More news coming soon!
AdviceUK once again held its Annual General Meeting at the end of the conference, which was well attended.However, this was a special day for AdviceUK too. In September we celebrated our 30th anniversary of supporting the vital work being carried out by you. No birthday is complete without a cake and Clare Short made the inaugural cut for us.
Finally, no event such as this is possible without the support of various exhibitors and sponsors. Once again we ran a competition, this year to win an iPod. This was sponsored by Paymex, to whom we are very grateful. The lucky winner was Katie Roberts of the University of Derby Students’ Union. Congratulations Katie.Our principal sponsor was CCLA so many thanks to them for their generous support.We would also like to thank Allied International Credit who sponsored the attendance of 5 smaller members who would otherwise not have been able to attend.
However, we are, of course, grateful to all our exhibitors and sponsors and we encourage you to find out more about them by visiting their web sites. You can find out more on the Sponsors and exhibitors page.
The AdviceUK conference will return next year. If you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us – and if you attended this year’s event, please do remember to fill in the online evaluation form. We'll be sending you details very shortly.
Jonathan Moles
Business Development Manager
See links for documents, presentations and other infomation:
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference/conferencepresentations
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference/conferencephotos
http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/about-us/annualconference
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
LCF Leaflets
September 2009 Education Legal Advice Service
Law Centres are working together to deliver a free specialist legal advice service on education matters across London.
Read the leaflet here: London_Education_Advice_Leaflet.pdf
September 2009 Employment Tribunal Representation
London Law Centres are working in partnership to provide Employment
Tribunal (ET) representation and representation at the Employment
Appeals Tribunals (EAT) for those people that cannot afford to pay for legal advice and representation.
Read the leaflet here: Employment_Tribunal_Project_Leaflet.pdf
Law Centres are working together to deliver a free specialist legal advice service on education matters across London.
Read the leaflet here: London_Education_Advice_Leaflet.pdf
September 2009 Employment Tribunal Representation
London Law Centres are working in partnership to provide Employment
Tribunal (ET) representation and representation at the Employment
Appeals Tribunals (EAT) for those people that cannot afford to pay for legal advice and representation.
Read the leaflet here: Employment_Tribunal_Project_Leaflet.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
