12 Days of Christmas 2025 | Policy in Practice

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Review of 2025 and the lookahead in policy and practice: From data to impact As 2025 draws to a close, join us as we review the policy developments, sector wide challenges and practical successes that have shaped the past year and what we expect for 2026.

From rising arrears and shrinking local budgets to major reforms to disability benefits and the continued impact of the cost of living crisis, 2025 has brought fresh pressure on low income households and the organisations that support them.

At the same time, many councils, housing providers, utilities and charities have stepped up with data-led approaches to drive targeted support, often against the odds.

We’ll revisit the key policy changes that defined the year and upcoming changes in the year to come, such as the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, disability benefits reforms, local government reorganisation and the extension of Free School Meals. We will also share insights from our work with partners across sectors on how they made the most of these changes, and turned challenges into opportunities.

We’ll also highlight findings from our landmark analysis of Council Tax Reduction schemes, which revealed worrying trends but also pointed the way toward more effective, fairer support for households struggling with arrears.

Through case studies, data and real world examples, we’ll celebrate the tangible impact our clients have had in their communities and look ahead to what 2026 may bring.

Join us to:

- Explore the key policy developments and sector challenges that shaped 2025 and what will shape the year ahead
- Hear highlights from our work on Council Tax Reduction, unclaimed support and safeguarding
- Hear inspiring case studies from organisations that used data to drive impact in 2025, and what they see in store for 2026

10/12/2025

10:30am GMT

1.3 hours

CRF: Resetting local crisis support in England The 2025 Spending Review contained a welcome announcement on new long term funding for local crisis support in England. The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is set to replace the Household Support Fund (HSF) from April 2026, for three years.

The CRF is an opportunity to reset local crisis support in England, following over a decade of patchwork provision and the short term funding rounds that have characterised the HSF.

Together with anti-poverty charity Trussell, we have published a report, Resetting local crisis support in England, presenting new analysis and recommendations intended to inform delivery across the three key elements of the CRF:

1. Provision and access to effective crisis support
2. Improving the financial resilience of individuals and local communities
3. Bolstering community level support

Join us at this webinar to learn more about our recommendations and explore practical examples focused on:

- Delivering a cash-first approach to local crisis support
- Using the CRF to build financial resilience for people most at risk of financial crisis
- Developing a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating outcomes

The webinar is open to any organisation with an interest in the CRF. It will be particularly relevant to local authorities, as well as voluntary and community sector organisations involved in supporting people at risk of financial hardship.

21/1/2026

10:30am GMT

1.3 hours

Overcoming the data disconnect in safeguarding Too often, vulnerable people are only identified when it is already too late. Safeguarding professionals are forced to make decisions with only part of the picture, as crucial information is spread across disconnected services and systems. This makes it harder to spot risks, see patterns or act early, leading to delayed or inappropriate support.

In this webinar, we’ll explore how councils and safeguarding partners are tackling this challenge by improving the way data is shared and used. You’ll hear about practical approaches to using daily, structured data feeds to inform decisions, identify concerns earlier and support coordinated prevention work across teams.

We’ll also look at real life examples of how better access to safeguarding data is already helping professionals to take timely, more targeted action, and how they are beginning to evidence impact.

28/1/2026

10:30am GMT

1.3 hours

First day of Christmas

Redbridge brings housing stability and financial strength to families

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Second day of Christmas

Small team creating big impact: Places for People generates £3 million for customers

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Third day of Christmas

A year of impact: Waltham Forest saves £2.3 million and secures £538,000 for local schools

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Fourth day of Christmas

Reaching the residents who need it most: Richmond and Wandsworth deliver over £30 million in extra support

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Fifth day of Christmas

Haringey’s 2025 data driven success: Over £4 million secured for residents, £7 million more identified

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Sixth day of Christmas

West Northamptonshire boosts pensioner income by an average of over £360 a month

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Seventh day of Christmas

From data to doorsteps: How Plymouth allocated discretionary support to families in 2025

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Eighth day of Christmas

Southern Water connects customers to £29 million in unclaimed support in 2025

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Ninth day of Christmas

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Tenth Day of Christmas

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Eleventh Day of Christmas

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Twelfth Day of Christmas

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