Our Welfare Rights Unit has been awarded the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) which is awarded to organisations who provide independent advice to members of the public.
Organisations that hold the standard have demonstrated that they are easily accessible, effectively managed, and employ staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of their clients.
The Unit has been available since 1996 and its role is to ensure people get all the benefits they’re entitled to, with particular emphasis on targeted Social Care service users. The Unit also has a number of other projects, providing casework and training to certain groups and citizens of north-east Wales. Targeted clients are assisted with information, advice, claims, challenging decisions and appeal representation.
“£8 million plus”
The unit provides around 3,000 people with a full casework service per year and has managed to secure government social security payment of £8million plus for them.
KIDS IN SCHOOL? FIND OUT IF YOU CAN APPLY FOR HELP TOWARDS SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS AND MORE…
Clients helped include those entering or living in residential care and adult mental health service users(comma or semi-colon). Cancer patients as referred by health professionals such as clinical nurse specialists, carers and Families First funded services. Staff are also happy to help anyone who lives or works in the county borough who call the Unit’s Benefit Advice Line (01978 298255, Monday – Friday 9.30 – 12.00). In a small number of cases there can be a charge for the service; please ring for further information about this.
“Committed and conscientious staff”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “We are very pleased that our staff have worked hard to achieve this Quality Standard. It shows that those who use our service in Wrexham that staff are working to the highest possible professional standards.
“Staff are committed and conscientious and they have all worked very hard to achieve this standard. I’m sure they will continue to maintain these high standards over the course of the next year to make sure everyone gets the benefits they are entitled to. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved, you should be proud of your achievements.”
The AQS is awarded by the national umbrella group, the Advice Services Alliance and their Director, Lindsey Poole said: “The AQS is a tough benchmark to achieve, particularly in challenging times for the sector and our clients and we offer our congratulations to staff in Wrexham Welfare Rights for so clearly making the grade.”
We’ll be proudly displaying the AQS logo, joining the community of over 650 organisations across the country of other holders.
Need help with school uniform costs? Find out if you’re eligible.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/education/school_uniform_grant.htm “] APPLY FOR A PUPIL DEVELOPMENT GRANT [/button]
