The Advice Dorset Partnership E news is published fortnightly on a Thursday, BUT if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a short supplementary edition. Due to annual leave, the next full edition – no 5 – will come out on Thursday 22 June. This is a short interim supplement, to keep you posted.
As usual feel free to forward this email to colleagues and they can get in touch with us if they wish to go on the list. If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, and for all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership, contact Caroline Buxton on her Citizens Advice Central Dorset email: mailto:caroline.buxton
Advice Dorset Partnership – Survey
The Advice Dorset Partnership was set up in 2016 to build a network of information and advice providers which would support each other, improve joint working and service delivery across the information and advice sector in Dorset and BCP, and provide a voice for the advice sector to influence decision-making; it is managed by Citizens Advice. The Advice Dorset Partnership is FREE to all organisations providing advice and support to residents of Dorset and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole.
During the Covid pandemic, we all had to adapt very quickly to different ways of working and new advice needs. Many lessons were learnt, so it now seems an appropriate time to review and refresh the Partnership, developing an understanding of what things are like for your organisation and clients at the moment, and how working together through the Partnership might be beneficial.
To this end we have set up a short survey – here – and look forward to your response; the survey will take about 10 minutes to complete, and if you can do it by the end of June that would be great!
Jobs
STARS Dorset currently have an Adult ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) position available, full-time, and salary is £26,250 – £28,350 (depending on experience and qualification). Closing date 30 June. Read more here.
Employment Advisor – Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust: We are looking for an individual who will share our values and vision to combine compassion, empathy, and expertise to empower our patients to work towards their employment goals. This is a part time position available (30 hours over 4 days a week) for an Employment Advisor who will work alongside the service providing dedicated employment support for people looking to return to work or to retain their current employment. Although, there will be opportunities for flexible and hybrid working the role will require local knowledge of Purbeck and East Dorset. Closing date 3 July. read more here.
Citizens Advice Central Dorset – Administrative Support Assistant: Building on existing processes and procedures, the role will be to support the administration of the trustee board and the offices across Central Dorset Citizens Advice. The postholder will be confident with a wide range of ICT and administrative procedures and have a good understanding of administrative processes. This role is for 14 hours per week and would be suitable for hybrid working, although to note there would be a requirement to work occasional evenings. Read more here.
Key Information Updates
Hot weather at work: A Heat-Health Alert affecting many regions in England has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency. While there is no legal maximum for workplace temperature, employers are under a duty to ensure the workplace is safe, and heat is classed as a hazard. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued advice for employers on measures that should be taken to protect workers, both inside and outside. Read the HSE press release here.
Energy Price Cap: On 25 May, Ofgem announced the price cap for the period 1 July to 30 September 2023. This means a household with typical consumption on a dual electricity and gas bill will pay:
- £2,074 a year if they pay by direct debit
- £2,211 a year if they pay by standard credit (on receipt of bill)
- £2,077 a year if they have a prepayment meter
Prices are worked out per unit of energy used. If consumers use more they will pay more. The exact unit rate and standing charge will depend on the region of the consumer. The support under the Energy Price Guarantee meant an average consumer’s bill was £2,500. This applies until 1 July 2023. However, every household also got £400 under the Energy Bill Support Scheme, made over 6 payments between October 2022 and March 2023. If you take into account this additional support, depending on usage, a consumer may now not see a reduction in their energy bill compared to last winter. Some consumers may feel like they are paying more. How the price cap will affect a consumer will depend on their individual circumstances.
Universal Credit – increases in maximum childcare payments: Following the announcement in the Spring Budget, the DWP have confirmed that the increase in the maximum amount payable for childcare payments in universal credit (UC) will take effect from 28 June 2023. The maximum amounts will be increased from:
- £646.35 to £950.92 for one child
- £1108.04 to £1630.15 for two or more children
In addition, the amended regulations mean that childcare costs can be met upfront by disregarding payments made by funds provided by the Secretary of State when calculating the childcare costs element in the assessment period when a claimant is moving into, or increasing their hours of work. Read the Govt press release here.
FCA bans debt packager referral fees: Debt packager firms will be banned from receiving referral fees from debt solution providers from 2 October 2023. This is to remove incentives to recommend options that don’t meet a customer’s best interest, for example an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) where a Debt relief Order (DRO) would be more suitable. Read more about the debt packager referral fee ban on the FCA website here. For a clear explanation of the various debt options / solutions, go to Citizens Advice.
LOCAL News
Dorset’s Food Banks and Affordable Food Projects – How to get help and how to give help: Explanation of different models (food banks, community fridges, pop-up larders etc) and listings are on the Help&Kindness website here. There is also the Access to Food Map app, produced by the Access to Food Partnership, which currently displays 72 different types of community food offerings across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, including foodbanks, social supermarkets, community fridges, cooking and growing your own food workshops.
Events
Skills & Learning – Multiply are setting up a volunteer Numeracy Champions scheme and are running the first information and training session on 10th July online. Multiply Numeracy Champions in communities and in the workplace can help plug the low numeracy gap by being available as a point of contact for number queries, sharing Multiply numeracy resources and signposting people to learning and advice. More information in this flyer and/or go to their website.
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Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month: Every June since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society. This year’s theme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is “Weaving Journeys: A celebration of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller lives, histories and cultures”. Read more and find resources on the FFT website. Locally Kushti Bok are organising an event on Saturday 24 June, 1- 4pm, in the Borough Gardens Dorchester – more info on their facebook page.
Refugee Week / Day: Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. Read more on the UNHCR website. June 19 – 25 is also Refugee Week – a festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Read more here.
Funding headlines
Four local funds are open: