25/02/2010 – Face-to-face debt advice delivers value for money
It's no surprise that a recent survey by the National Audit Office found that face-to-face debt advice delivers excellent value for money. However the debt advice helpline funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is finding it difficult to meet demand following the economic downturn.
The advice sector has been telling the government for many months that the recession has greatly increased demand for our services with frontline organisations struggling to meet demand. So it's astonishing that both major political parties are still talking of cuts in advice and legal aid funding. Now is not the time to cut funding. People across the nation are struggling to meet financial responsibilities many through no fault of their own. The collapse of the banking infrastructure was a global catastrophe and the fall out is still affecting us all.
Never have the services of advice and legal aid providers been more needed or relevant. Independent advice charities provide added value as advisors and legal professionals often talk face-to-face with people on complex problems. Advice cannot always be properly delivered just by telephone or email. It can't be stressed enough that both telephone and face-to-face advice is needed to ensure that advice is appropriate for the consumer. For example, those needing support with contacting creditors or accompanying them to court will need face-to-face rather than telephone advice. Confidence can be communicated in a face to face interview - the wider understanding of the issues facing the client that can result from such an interaction are often vital outcomes from advice sessions and this cannot necessarily be accomplished down a telephone line.
Attempts to save money by pushing advice agencies away from face to face advice to telephone advice are a false economy. People with complex problems that might include a mental health issue or a language issue can be much more effectively assisted and even empowered "in the flesh".
Posted by Andy Gregg