Have advisers in other areas similar experience?

Our local CLSP set up a working group to look at benefit take up, particularly amongst older people. The initiative was being led by LSC and Pensions Service. They wanted voluntary sector to become involved in a 'partnership' to carry out the campaign (with next to no extra resourses!).

It soon became apparent that LSC/PC had their own agenda and had no idea of what was involved in running an effective take up campaign (a PC bus visting the county twice a month!). Faced with alternative proposals from local advice agencies (excuse me but purhaps we have some relevant experience??!!) the sector was accused of being negative - either we were with the the LSC/PC proposal or we were against them.

Its no suprise that the 'jonny come lately' LSC & PC government agencies are throwing their weight around in the area of advice work.

Of more concern is their attitude towards the voluntary sector (LSC having driven most solicitors away from legal aid work already!). Allegedly there is a memo within the PC that suggests that there will be no need for advice centres in 5 years time because they will be providing the same service.

What does this approach foretell for the PC forthcoming Third Age initiative?

Hi
I work for Age Concern England, providing support to local Age Concern Information & Advice services across the country, and I totally agree with your concerns - many in the Pension Service fail to see the difference between what they can offer and what an independent advice centre actually does.
I'm more puzzled by the LSC seemimg to agree that the Pension Service can ofer benefits advice (what happened to independence?). Given the hoops that voluntary advice agencies have had to jump through to get CLS accreditation it would be scandalous if Pension Service/local authority 'Joint Teams' get Quality Marked.

The target of 70% joint teams by October 2004 is very ominous, and I don't think it has been thought through. As usual there are various pilot schemes in operation but the timetables won't allow for experiences from them to be evaluated before roll out.

However, I think it has to be recognised as tremendously positive that the Pension Service has increased take-up as a target, so it's vital that the voluntary advice sector (Age Concerns, CABx, whoever)
gets its voice heard in areas whre Joint Teams are setting up.

Has anyone got any further information, updates or experiences regarding Third Age.

"Care Direct" - housing, health, social services and benefits information for older people all in one place - proved very expensive in the pilot areas (although the pilot schemes have ended there's still a lot of out of date info on the net eg http://www.caredirect.gov.uk/about.htm )

The Third Age service is a cut dowen version, and the 70% joint team target is only six months or so away ...

Have a look at the HB guidance memo A14/2004 (Rightsnet news story 5/3/04) especially for info on the 'partnership fund'.

alban