Quality Standard accolade for council’s Welfare Rights Unit

Wrexham Council’s Welfare Rights Unit has joined hundreds of organisations across the country to have been awarded the Advice Quality Standard (AQS).

The accolade is awarded to organisations who provide independent advice to members of the public. Those 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.

Wrexham’s 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.

The unit provides around 3,000 people with a full casework service per year and has managed to secure government social security payment of £8 million plus for them.

Clients helped include those entering or living in residential care and adult mental health service users. Cancer patients as referred by health professionals such as clinical nurse specialists, carers and Families First funded services.

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.”

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.