Hi

I’m looking for some guidance on the issues facing WRO working for housing associations.

My colleague and I currently cover 6 housing associations in Renfrewshire (FLAIR). Each association is allocated a number of days for WRO input. We implemented various procedures which was designed to allow us to operate a benefit advice service to the tenants of the associations, however each association have their own expectations on service delivery which has resulted in some difficulty.

It seems likely that we may have secured funding for a few years and we have been asked to deliver the service in a way that suits each association’s priorities.

We have a number of concerns which we aim to discuss, but we would like to ask how other WRO’s operate and whether there are others who operate similarly. The kind of issues we have are for example, sharing of information, confidentiality, prioritising workload etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Hi there
I am a welfare rights worker and have been employed by a Housing Association for 11 years. Previously employed by CAB.
If you want to phone for a chat about the various issues specific to WRO's employed by Housing Associations, ring me on 01803 869703.

For me the main issue currently is managing an ever increasing workload!
I currently manage a personal caseload of 35cases approx; provide second tier support to 100+ floating support and project staff; provide a rolling programme of welfare benefit powerpoint presentations for staff; write benefit articles for the Association's quarterly Resident newsletter, and field continuous phone queries from all and sundry.

Over the years, I have tried other methods of providing the service, and had to give some up (- with much regret), because they generated too much work. eg: a "benefits questionnaire" sent to every new Resident within a month of taking up their tenancy, asking some general questions about family circs/health/work/currentbenefit entitlement etc. Residents would complete and return this to me in the "freepost" envelope provided. Returns were very high! (60%+). I then followed these up, where appropriate, with a home visit and assistance with countless DLA claims..! Over two years however, as other work increased, I ended up with a 6 month backlog in returned questionnaires and had to end the service..
I have managed to retain my position as a "Resident-focussed" service- and jealously guarded this! For example, when the association set up a team of Housing Officers dedicated to pursuing rent arrears, I was asked to provide them with the list of clients I assisted to increase benefit income. I refused on the grounds that my service as "confidential", and also that, even where I did increase benefit entitlement (eg DLA), that this income was to offset their disability costs and not to pay off rent arrears! My relationship with that particular department is sometimes strained.....
I remain a lone-worker.. I suspect that if I was to indicate a more direct connection between the income I raise for Residents, and the Associations rent arrears, I might get more staff. I have always been unwilling to do this- on the grounds that I was originally employed to maximise Residents benefit income- and not to decrease arrears..- I'm not sure whether your terms of employment were more specific..?
Right..- I should do some work!
Do phone if a chat would help..
(or come and visit if not too far away - I work at Totnes Devon)
Linus McCloskey
linus.mccloskey@westcountryha.org.uk