Title	Date	Start Time	Duration	Register
Reducing barriers to work using data led campaigns In September 2023 the UK experienced an economic inactivity rate of 21.3% and an estimated unemployment rate of 4.3%, both of which have increased compared to previous data. Economic inactivity has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, prompting government efforts to integrate this group into the workforce. Historically, policies under Universal Credit and legacy benefits emphasised pushing people into employment through conditionality and short term measures. Today, both major political parties are exploring ways to facilitate return to work and eliminate barriers to employment. However, the government is also extending conditionality and adopting a tougher stance on sanctions for a broader range of people. Haringey is home to a young, ethnically diverse population. In June 2023, almost one fifth of those between 16 to 65 were on Universal Credit. Nearly 7% of residents over 16 were claiming unemployment related benefits, a figure above the London average of 4.7% and the 3rd highest rate of all UK councils Haringey Council wanted to find ways to overcome barriers to employment for young people and families with children and has used data to achieve success with its employment support programmes. Join this webinar to learn: - The new carrot and stick policy changes designed to break down barriers to work and reduce economic inactivity - What Haringey Council did to increase take up of free childcare for two year olds to 70% - How Haringey Council successfully helped 95 NEETs on their employment journey With guest speakers from Haringey Council	29/11/2023j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2023-11-29T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register
Policy review of 2023 and what 2024 may hold Join our last webinar of 2023 to hear our policy analysts review 2023's policy changes and big issues, from the ongoing cost of living and energy crises to the funding of local government and the Autumn Statement. We will highlight our policy findings from the year including our work that revealed that millions of households across the UK are missing out on £19 billion of support each year. We'll look at the role that data is playing in helping leading organisations to tackle these issues. Through case studies of different types of households we'll look at what the changes mean for families now, and what 2024 has in store. Along the way we'll share the positive impact that organisations we work with are having, and give practical solutions that others can adopt.	6/12/2023j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2023-12-06T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register
How the debt sector is connecting people to support	31/1/2024j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2024-01-31T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register

Title

Date

Start Time

Duration

Reducing barriers to work using data led campaigns In September 2023 the UK experienced an economic inactivity rate of 21.3% and an estimated unemployment rate of 4.3%, both of which have increased compared to previous data. Economic inactivity has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, prompting government efforts to integrate this group into the workforce.

Historically, policies under Universal Credit and legacy benefits emphasised pushing people into employment through conditionality and short term measures. Today, both major political parties are exploring ways to facilitate return to work and eliminate barriers to employment. However, the government is also extending conditionality and adopting a tougher stance on sanctions for a broader range of people.

Haringey is home to a young, ethnically diverse population. In June 2023, almost one fifth of those between 16 to 65 were on Universal Credit. Nearly 7% of residents over 16 were claiming unemployment related benefits, a figure above the London average of 4.7% and the 3rd highest rate of all UK councils

Haringey Council wanted to find ways to overcome barriers to employment for young people and families with children and has used data to achieve success with its employment support programmes.

Join this webinar to learn:

- The new carrot and stick policy changes designed to break down barriers to work and reduce economic inactivity
- What Haringey Council did to increase take up of free childcare for two year olds to 70%
- How Haringey Council successfully helped 95 NEETs on their employment journey

With guest speakers from Haringey Council

29/11/2023

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

Policy review of 2023 and what 2024 may hold Join our last webinar of 2023 to hear our policy analysts review 2023's policy changes and big issues, from the ongoing cost of living and energy crises to the funding of local government and the Autumn Statement.

We will highlight our policy findings from the year including our work that revealed that millions of households across the UK are missing out on £19 billion of support each year.

We'll look at the role that data is playing in helping leading organisations to tackle these issues.

Through case studies of different types of households we'll look at what the changes mean for families now, and what 2024 has in store.

Along the way we'll share the positive impact that organisations we work with are having, and give practical solutions that others can adopt.

6/12/2023

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

How the debt sector is connecting people to support

31/1/2024

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

Citizen Advice Caerphilly win an award for helping 6,000 clients boost their income by over £3 million

CLIENT:
Citizens Advice Caerphilly

SECTOR:
Charity

PRODUCTS USED:
Better Off Calculator

Product brochure

The challenge

Covid and the uncertainties surrounding the disease have posed challenges in terms of delivering advice, as well as supporting Citizens Advice Caerphilly’s staff. A move from delivering advice in-person to solely digital was rapid and they had to react overnight to uncertain changes. At the same time, the need for advice was growing, as was their workforce. CA Caerphilly recruited more than 50 people remotely to deal with the rise in demand, who needed to be trained to a high level to be able to deliver their services.

The solution

Advisers can access the Better Off Calculator wherever they are, which means they can deliver accurate advice remotely or in person. The software has a prompt tool, which can direct advisers to investigate other areas where income could be maximised. The old platform the team previously needed to rely on the knowledge of individual advisors, but having a uniform platform enabled the scale up of Caerphilly’s operations to take place more smoothly. The prompts help with training advisers about the benefits system and act as a reminder for experienced advisers. This ensures a complete, holistic approach to advice delivery.

The self-serve debt calculator is also efficient. Clients can use the calculator to provide the team with information prior to appointments. In particular, this is helpful for the debt team as it streamlines the process and makes the customer journey smoother. The budgeting tool helps clients understand their income and expenditure. It can provide a detailed budget tailored to that specific client, to try and prevent them from falling into debt again.

Volunteers use the self-serve calculator and they can attach their calculations to the case records. CA Caerphilly can then re-run that information via the benefit calculator when quality checking.

The self-serve site also offers an apply here button, making the customer journey smooth and simple.

The impact

The team have found that they are working far smarter and the engagement from clients has improved. They have employed around 50 new staff members who have been trained remotely and they’re now able to offer a high level of advice to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The scenario tool within the calculator is particularly useful as they can tell people how a change of circumstances or changes to the way benefits are calculated will affect their incomes in the future. This helps our clients to better plan for the future.

In the past year they have helped almost 6,000 clients achieve income gains of over £3 million. In recognition of this extraordinary achievement Citizens Advice Caerphilly was voted Charity of the Night at the Caerphilly Business Club awards 2021.

Between 1 January and 30 November this year we helped almost 6,000 clients achieve income gains of over £3 million. Policy in Practice’s Better Off Calculator has helped us accurately assess a person’s entitlements to maximise their incomes, manage their finances better and improve their overall well-being. During the pandemic, it has supported us to train more than 50 new staff members remotely, increasing our workforce to around 200. The platform has helped us to work smarter and meet the demand for advice during challenging times.

Emma Gray, Communications Officer, Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent