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This is a brief note on the types of trends that we have been seeing in the Advice area and some of the challenges and issues that we face going forward. You can also also read our Casework examples

• Referrals come from a wide variety of sources. Whereas in the past the major source had been word of mouth, this appears to be changing with referrals from HPUs, social services, hospital discharge services, other day centres, voluntary organisations and the police being more noticeable


• The level of more intensive casework is more noticeable across a wide range of areas – including tax work, immigration and residency, employment and training opportunities driven by the influx of new migrants to the UK. Other reasons why this is increasing is the reduction of resources in other centres, clients come with a greater number of issues that require resolution and there is more activity with the upcoming changes to Incapacity benefits and the more exhaustive processes for items such as Freedom Passes etc


• The number of female clients mainly from referral routes is increasing. These clients are not habitual centre users but come specifically to use the advice service


• Overall the 35-44 age group remains the largest but our age profile is becoming younger - particularly in Southwark and in the male client group.


• The old established profile of White British, Irish and Scottish clients has been replaced by upsurges in the European client group – not only A10 but also EU clients and of African clients.


• Rough sleeping appears to be increasing – as can be seen from our monthly statistics. This is partly due to the A10 client base but is also due to the displacement activity in other London boroughs which means that clients who are recently arrived in London present to our service.  This is even more marked in clients who maintain they are Southwark clients. The numbers of those who are “roofless” remain high


• A10 citizens have become the second largest group, with clients with Indefinite Leave to Remain - mainly those who are migrating to London from dispersal areas. In recent months, this has largely been Eritrean Pentacostal Christians


• With respect to housing, there is greater reliance on placement in the private rented sector not only because of our rent deposit scheme but also due to the more restrictive local connection patterns, referral routes becoming more restricted even in this borough, decanting and closure of hostels.


• Waiting times for getting individuals into accommodation has lengthened and this has been a growing issue. The lack of geographical mobility has become very evident as to release pressure on housing possibilities in London, we have been trying to disperse but there is great resistance.


• In general advice, the most significant item is the growth of advice in the employment area driven by the A10 clients

Read our Casework Examples

Margaret Shapland – Advice & Welfare