Some real life
examples
CARIS's Outreach advice workers have
successfully challenged the way in which social security, housing and tax
credit legislation are interpreted, thus ensuring that our clients receive
their entitlement. In the grey boxes to the right, there are details
of some typical cases with which we have dealt in recent times.
About our advice & advocacy
Most of the 6,000 homeless families in
Haringey have at least some basic contact from CARIS. Our regular mailings
include information about our services and also statutory provision such as
education and healthcare. This information is valuable because homeless
families live in temporary accommodation and can often live at any address
for less than a year before having to move. In 2006-07, a total of 334
clients received more in-depth support through CARIS’ outreach, advice and
advocacy services. Of this total, 197 were new clients, while the remainder
were existing or previous clients who returned for support when further
needs arose. –Three quarters of the case work was predominantly face to
face, with 251 clients given advice by appointment on subjects including
health, education, housing, benefit claims and refugee status. CARIS
clients tend to have multiple needs, so most cases covered many of these
issues simultaneously. A further 83 clients received personally tailored
information and appropriate sign posting by telephone. These client numbers
do not include the regular information and advice given to local churches,
Health Professionals, Family Support Workers or other agencies.
Our Advice workers held specific training and
information sessions at 3 Children's Centres (CCs) and networks. This activity
increased awareness among statutory bodies of families deemed hard to reach
and supported CC inductions for their new and existing staff. Home visits to
clients were undertaken with health professionals to carry out home safety
checks and supply home safety loan equipment (e.g. stair-gates, window
locks, fire blankets and smoke detectors).
CARIS advice service provision has
successfully enabled individuals and families to receive full entitlement to
housing benefits, family and child tax credits. CARIS has also provided
emergency food parcels, clothing and equipment (e.g. cots, pushchairs, baby
clothes etc) to support parents and their children who have no immediate
recourse to public funds. We
plug gaps in provision by offering a ‘joined up’ and personalised service
designed around the individual needs of our clients.
Visit our blog
 |
We now have a blog! It's for all residents of Haringey and
professionals seeking advice or sharing experiences they have
working with families affected by homelessness. You can go there
now by clicking the pencil logo to the left
(opens in
new window).
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A client contacted us when an existing client
introduced her. With her children, she had left a violent
relationship and was trying to get housing assistance and Income
Support. The Outreach Advice workers provided clothes for her and her
children, contacted Haringey Women's Aid, who placed her in a safe
house; she was later given temporary accommodation. The Outreach
Advice workers assisted her in making an application for Housing and
Council Tax Benefit, Income Support, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit,
and applied for a grant from the Family Welfare Association to assist
with essential household items. |
