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  • The Developing Access to Advice and Policy (DAAP) Project

The Developing Access to Advice and Policy (DAAP) Project

Developing Access to Advice and Policy (DAAP)

The Developing Access to Advice and Policy Project is a partnership project with the Law Centres Federation to build the capacity and skills of member organisations. Funded by the London Councils, it aims to improve performance, organisational capacity, and the quality and sustainability of front-line advice organisations across London. It creates a stronger voice for advice services through responding to legislative changes, promoting the role of the sector, resourcing and positively influencing policy.

AdviceUK represents advice agencies in London through consultation and policy work

1. We work with key stakeholders of advice services such as the Office Immigration Services Commissioner, Legal Services Commission, housing associations, funders and Greater London Authority informing them of issues highlighted by our members. We produce briefings for London MPs, councillors, funders and statutory agencies on issues affecting the sector as a whole.

2. We organise an annual policy conference in October for advice providers focusing on issues raised through consultation with members, and new initiatives from stakeholders. For more information, please email developmentlondon@adviceuk.org.uk

3. We develop joint responses and campaigns on key advice policy issues affecting London, working in close co-operation with Advice Services Alliance (ASA), and Citizens Advice Southern Region.

4. We respond to government consultations based on the statistical evidence collated from front line organisations. We report annually on how policy and legislation impacts on advice services in London. AdviceUK provides capacity building and skills support to develop improved quality advice provision.

Advice surgeries

We offer organisations tailored one-to-one support to develop their advice services by improving their planning, delivery and resourcing.

Building management capacity

We develop the management skills and knowledge of current advice agency directors and advice service managers through consultancy, training and peer mentoring. We will set up a Directors’ Peer Forum to facilitate the exchange of ideas between directors of large agencies.

Training

We provide training to organisations to improve performance in contracting, governance, and management. We additionally provide training for advisers on topics such as case and file management, supervision and file review etc. to improve the consistency and quality of the service.

Telephone and email consultancy 

We offer one off and/or detailed advice in response to enquiries from member organisations on advice services management, contracting, organisational management, employment related advice on issues such as contracts, disciplinary or grievance, long-term absence and statutory payments etc. 

E-newsletter/e-bulletins and briefings  

We circulate e-newsletters and e-bulletins providing updates and features on a wide range of advice related matters making sure our members are in best place to respond to new developments.

Effective partnership development

We facilitate partnership building among advice organisations concentrating on equalities such as BMER Advice Network (BAN) and London Disability Network. We also establish borough based advice forums to improve client access across the local advice network and encourage all local advice agencies to participate. We organise the Franchise Forum to bring together Not for Profit specialist advice agencies funded by Legal Services Commission in London.