Community Legal Services Partnership

What is the Community Legal Service (CLS)?

• The CLS brings together the various types of legal help and information provided and funded by a wide range of public, private, voluntary and charitable organisations.
• It covers all kinds of social welfare law such as housing , debt, welfare benefits, education, community care, immigration and mental health. The CLS is not Concerned with criminal law
• Services range from giving a client a leaflet or directing them to a legal help service, right through to representing them in court.
• The CLS aims to be a seamless service, targeting resources to meet locally identified advice needs of vulnerable and socially excluded citizens.

Why develop a Community Legal Service?

• The CLS will make it easier for everyone to find good quality help and advice, in a way which suits them.
• It will help advice providers to share information, and to refer clients quickly and easily.
• Funders and taxpayers can be sure they will get value for money.
• Public information and rights awareness will be improved, so people will be better able to help themselves.
• The CLS benefits everyone by promoting social inclusion.

Who should be getting involved in the CLS?

Anyone who comes into contact with people in need of legal help has a role to play in the Community Legal Service.

As well as traditional sources of legal help such as solicitors and Citizens Advice Bureaux, we are seeking involvement from local councillors, voluntary organisations and community groups, who may deal with related problems and refer people on to the appropriate source of help.

What is a Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP)?

• CLSP’s are the means by which this service will be delivered.
• They bring together the main funders of legal services (local authorities, the Legal Services Commission, charitable trusts) with the providers (solicitors, not for profit advice agencies, in house council services, voluntary organisations).
• Together they make strategic decisions as to how best to meet the local communities’ needs for advice services.

What progress has the Worcestershire CLSP made?

• Produced Strategic Plan identified needs and gaps in supply
• £40K for Employment Rights Project in Redditch funded through Legal Services Commission, Partnership Innovation Budget
• County wide Referrals Scheme launched
• Links being made with wider social exclusion agenda

How can I become involved, or find out more?

In order to make a Worcestershire Partnership work, we must secure involvement from all parts of the community.

If you would like to be involved, or can inform us of other groups and organisations who should be involved, or would like to find out more, please contact:

Matt Greenhill
Legal Services Commission
0121 665 4824
email: matt.greenhill@legalservices.gov.uk