Community Legal Advice Network – Developing an Integrated Social Welfare Law Service for Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend
Introduction
The Legal Services Commission (LSC), Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government have been looking into the proposed development of an integrated approach to the delivery of social welfare law services across these three local authority areas.
Summary of the Proposal
As part of these discussions, the LSC and each of the local authorities have jointly commissioned a needs analysis of levels of supply and demand of legal and advice services in the proposed region. The Needs Analysis is available to read here.
Taking the needs analysis into account, a draft service specification has been produced, which details how an integrated approach to the delivery of social welfare law services might look. The draft specification has been developed using the Community Legal Advice Network model, and is available to read here.
If you require the needs analysis or draft service specification documents in a different format, or wish to request a paper copy, please contact Eleanor Wrighton on 01656 643499, email: eleanor.wrighton@bridgend.gov.uk
How do you make your views known?
The needs analysis and draft specification are both part of the process of exploring the joint commissioning arrangements. This is not intended to be the final specification, but more of a starting point from which to build upon. We would therefore like to urge you to spend some time to look at the draft specification and consider how it may help us to deliver a joined-up and seamless service for clients. Any comments or suggestions that you have would be welcomed and should be directed to Eleanor Wrighton, Community Legal Advice Network Engagement Officer, at the contact details shown below.
Please note that the engagement process will include an open meeting on Friday 5 September at Bridgend Recreation Centre. Details of this meeting will be sent out in due course – if you would like to be included on the mailing list for this event please send your name, address, email and details of your organisation to the contact details below. The event will focus on the draft specification and therefore feedback is welcomed in advance to feed into this event. In order to influence the focus of this event please provide any initial responses by 15 August. Please note that the final date for comments to be received is Friday 26 September 2008.
Engagement Period
This engagement period is 29 July to 26 September 2008.
At the end of the engagement period, a final service specification will be drawn up, taking into consideration the comments and views received. This service specification will then be presented to the political leadership of each of the local authorities for consideration before any joint commissioning of services can go ahead.
Contact Details
Community Legal Advice Network Engagement Officer
Email: Eleanor.Wrighton@bridgend.gov.uk
Policy and Performance Management Unit
Corporate Development and Partnerships
