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DWP guidance to local authorities on alternative means to deliver housing benefit
New DWP guidance sets out alternative options adopted by some local authorities such as shared services, outsourcing and use of agency staff as and when needed.
[ Edited: 29 Nov 2018 at 12:47 pm by Stuart ]OK, it’s Friday, I was bored.
What is HB resilience?
8. HB resilience refers to measures LAs have put in place to mitigate challenges that may impact negatively and/or interrupt altogether the delivery of the HB service to citizens
Plain English: HB Resilience means desperately trying to maintain some kind of service with slashed administration subsidy
Outsourcing
16. The term ‘outsourcing’ refers to the provision of service via a private or third sector organisation. This provision can be applied by a single LA or a group of LAs. The service (back office) is delivered, in whole or part, by the outsource company, usually remotely.
What really, this actually goes on? It must be something very, very new, I had never heard of anything like it before
Agency staff, call-off contracts
20. As a means to respond to fluctuating demands of work, some LAs opt for using agency staff
My mind is truly blown, there is only so much cutting edge innovation I can wrap my head around in one day
OK, it’s Friday, I was bored.
Outsourcing
16. The term ‘outsourcing’ refers to the provision of service via a private or third sector organisation. This provision can be applied by a single LA or a group of LAs. The service (back office) is delivered, in whole or part, by the outsource company, usually remotely.
But there can always be innovative approaches to this ‘new fangled’ idea - such as introducing an ‘independent appeals officer’. S/he being a bit like the DWP post handling service - submit an appeal in writing for it never to be seen again (unless one asks a judge to direct that the appeal is admitted and the LA is to produce a response).
But after too many decades in benefits there really is nothing new except recycled ideas!
I note at paragraph 17, they use Solihull MBC as an example of good practice in outsourcing their HB administration.
That would be the same Solihull HB department that recently told a pensioner wanting to make a claim that HB was now abolished and they needed to claim Universal Credit instead…..
introducing an ‘independent appeals officer’. S/he being a bit like the DWP post handling service - submit an appeal in writing for it never to be seen again (unless one asks a judge to direct that the appeal is admitted and the LA is to produce a response)
It wasn’t me was it?
I know you are struggling to keep updated.
Here is some help.
“Insourcing” this is a remedial action which refers to the provision of service formerly provided via a private or third sector organisation, where things havnt gone quite as hoped.
“HB/HC Anorak.” this refers to the name of a RN contributor who has finally been forced to conclude that ideology has triumphed over the localised provision of help with housing cost.
You can pay me by postal order, as usual…..........
introducing an ‘independent appeals officer’. S/he being a bit like the DWP post handling service - submit an appeal in writing for it never to be seen again (unless one asks a judge to direct that the appeal is admitted and the LA is to produce a response)
It wasn’t me was it?
The ‘independent appeals officer’ is so independent we have never established their true identity - so it could be you [ National Lottery pointy finger] (at a City council beginning with O?).
Not guilty in that case - I have taken an excessively long time to produce appeal subs for many authorities, but not that one