Benefit advice at school support service

More than half of appointments held as part of a school support service in Renfrewshire have involved helping parents and carers with benefits.

A report to the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee – a task force focusing interventions during the cost-of-living crisis – provided an update on the initiative run by Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

The service offers free, confidential and impartial advice on money, debt, benefits, housing and employment to families and can be accessed in secondary and additional support needs schools. It began at the start of the school year, with the first appointments taking place in the week beginning August 23.

From that date until the end of February, there had been 113 advice appointments and contacts made which helped 76 people.

Reasons for appointments have been varied, according to a report, but it has been confirmed 62 per cent have been linked to support with benefits and benefit checks.

The update said:“The school support service provided by Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) commenced at the start of the school year, with the first appointments week commencing August 23.

“From that date until the end of February, there had been 113 advice appointments/contacts made, and advice provided to 76 individuals.

“The busiest schools have been Linwood with 16 appointments, followed by ASN [additional support needs] schools, Riverbrae (14) and Mary Russell (13), then Johnstone High (11).

“Reasons for appointments have been varied, however, the majority, 62 per cent, have been for support with benefits and benefit checks, with housing the second busiest area at 11 per cent and seven per cent have come forward for crisis support, such as food bank vouchers.”

A meeting is due to be arranged between education staff and the cab to consider how the service is working and whether any improvement can be made.

They will also look at how to encourage take-up in specific schools where appointments have been“slower”.