reasonable housekeeping figures DRO

wba31

Depth_Charge wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for the reply

I am a little confused

Are they CFS figures or the Stepchange ones or a maybe mixture of both.

Apologies if I am missing the obvious

DC

When completing a CFS budget, I have to help a client work out how much they spend on Housekeeping, the client may ask "well what does that include..." and then I would use these guides to help with that.

The SC budgets are all broken down from what ive seen using their website.

National_Debtline

Depth_Charge wrote: »

Hi David

I was just wondering, are these 20,000 all telephone enquiries:)

DC

Hello there,

In the main - though we also communicate via e-mail and letter also. I've also experience of face-to-face advice - but that was via a different service

Best wishes,

David.

Depth_Charge

National_Debtline wrote: »

Hello there,

In the main - though we also communicate via e-mail and letter also. I've also experience of face-to-face advice - but that was via a different service

Best wishes,

David.

Hi

Cheers for the reply

e-mail & letter as well, can't be bad

Big difference between telephone advice and face to face casework / negotiating / representation etc

I have a soft spot for National Debtline to be honest its a good set up and some very good fact sheets:)

PS - is it true that National Debtline receive payments or a fair share of the contributions for Debt Management Plan (DMP) referrals to SC & PP?

Open forums & claims David:)

DC

Depth_Charge

wba31 wrote: »

When completing a CFS budget, I have to help a client work out how much they spend on Housekeeping, the client may ask "well what does that include..." and then I would use these guides to help with that.

The SC budgets are all broken down from what ive seen using their website.

Hi

Cheers for the reply

Best Wishes

DC

National_Debtline

Depth_Charge wrote: »

Hi

Cheers for the reply

e-mail & letter as well, can't be bad

Big difference between telephone advice and face to face casework / negotiating / representation etc

I have a soft spot for National Debtline to be honest its a good set up and some very good fact sheets:)

PS - is it true that National Debtline receive payments or a fair share of the contributions for Debt Management Plan (DMP) referrals to SC & PP?

Open forums & claims David:)

DC

Hello again,

It's true that we receive a fair share contribution although I'm not sure as to what amounts. I think what's important for anyone in debt is for them to be provided with holistic advice - so that they are made aware of all potential options open to them. It's only really then that an individual can make an objective choice about the best route for themselves personally. Many callers take the self-help route, our information pack is now in its twentieth incarnation and, as I'm sure you know, it's also produced for other free advice agencies too. I think, going forward, the trend seems to be gravitating more towards self-help - I'm sure you'll agree there. Personally I think that's great - as it can really empower people.

You are absolutely right, there is a difference between what we do and what a caseworker does although the training for both CAB advisers and NDL advisers is very similar. When I went through my training I got to know several CAB advisers (and a few from other agencies too!). The majority of our callers are able to get things sorted themselves with a little assistance via our helpline or the website. There are, of course, folks that need a further helping hand - and this is where our close links with the CAB are incredibly useful. We will always refer where it is clear that casework help is required - and vice-versa, we get a tremendous amount of referrals from the CAB. In fact, we take their overflow calls from their helpline too. There are plenty of other areas where we share best practice also. The CAB does a tremendous job, I've visited a couple and I'm always amazed by the passion and knowledge of the staff and volunteers.

I'll pass your kind words about the fact sheets to the Information and Policy team, they work incredibly hard.

I'm not sure if you've visited, but you're always welcome to pop by if you're ever in Birmingham.

- David.

Depth_Charge

National_Debtline wrote: »

Hello again,

It's true that we receive a fair share contribution although I'm not sure as to what amounts. I think what's important for anyone in debt is for them to be provided with holistic advice - so that they are made aware of all potential options open to them. It's only really then that an individual can make an objective choice about the best route for themselves personally. Many callers take the self-help route, our information pack is now in its twentieth incarnation and, as I'm sure you know, it's also produced for other free advice agencies too. I think, going forward, the trend seems to be gravitating more towards self-help - I'm sure you'll agree there. Personally I think that's great - as it can really empower people.

You are absolutely right, there is a difference between what we do and what a caseworker does although the training for both CAB advisers and NDL advisers is very similar. When I went through my training I got to know several CAB advisers (and a few from other agencies too!). The majority of our callers are able to get things sorted themselves with a little assistance via our helpline or the website. There are, of course, folks that need a further helping hand - and this is where our close links with the CAB are incredibly useful. We will always refer where it is clear that casework help is required - and vice-versa, we get a tremendous amount of referrals from the CAB. In fact, we take their overflow calls from their helpline too. There are plenty of other areas where we share best practice also. The CAB does a tremendous job, I've visited a couple and I'm always amazed by the passion and knowledge of the staff and volunteers.

I'll pass your kind words about the fact sheets to the Information and Policy team, they work incredibly hard.

I'm not sure if you've visited, but you're always welcome to pop by if you're ever in Birmingham.

- David.

Hi David

Thanks its a good reply

Interesting that you claim that the majority of your callers are able to get things sorted themselves with a little assistance via your helpline or website. Many people including the most vulnerable need a combination of advice & support to get them out of debt or just to stop them getting further into debt for that matter. Help & support with priority debts, negotiation, charity applications, forms and representation is common so I would be interested how you evidence those claims.

I have put you under a fair bit of scrutiny here on this open forum and it says something in my book that you have stood up very well and come back with very respected responses.

I think that I can safely say that we are basically on the same side.

The fact sheets are arguably the best around and I use them on a regular basis, good stuff and that's the truth.

Its all about the best for those in debt for me, informed choice which we do not always seem to see from some of the so called charities.

Nobody or organisation however is perfect it has to be said

When and where there are financial interests in debt solutions and keeping people in them then there will always be questions marks on independent and impartial advice.

The marketing men seem to be everywhere these days and an interesting question can be just how much debt advice experience do some of these people have and perhaps some of them would read any selling script in whatever walk of life.

The front line advisers who work their socks off are at times in a catch 22 maybe.

No more scrutiny from me David on this one and never any offence meant as I am quite sure you know.

The die is cast with me and I could not change if I wanted, not that I want to anyway, what you see is what you get and I myself have had plenty of flak on the forums and elsewhere over many years now (usually from the other side but not always:)

I agree on the self help, its on the rise and could be the future, you cant stop developments, the case is easily proven, they all know it really don't they:)

Not been to the Birmingham Office too date and circumstances beyond my control suggest that time might be running out but I occasionally pass by one or two from National Debtline on the circuit so to speak.

Its a case of carry on regardless in the meantime and who really knows what the future holds?

I don't know if you have seen R3s take - personal insolvency regime in need of reform, says R3 - The DRO bit makes interesting reading taken in context with this thread (I think anyway:)

http://www.r3.org.uk/index.cfm?page=1114&element=19651&refpage=1008

My take as always & genuine best regards

DC

Depth_Charge

Hi

Very useful information from the I/S on Debt Relief Orders - Eligibility

Section 46.33 being of particular interest concerning income & expenditure & the Common Financial Statement -

http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/technicalmanual/Ch37-48/chapter46/Part%201/Part%201.htm

DC

debt_doctor

I don't believe that there is any question that the CFS 'allowances' are more generous than those used by SC.


I must agree that the NDL fact sheets are excellent, and I certainly use them in preference to any, including the CAB's.


I believe that there is no better advice than face to face debt advice coupled with casework carried out to support the client - but it is expensive.


NDL, in my opinion, provide the best telephone advice available - far better than ours - have you tried ringing a CAB? - You can always rely on NDL to give advice in your best interests with no other influence on their advice.


DD

Depth_Charge

debt_doctor wrote: »

I don't believe that there is any question that the CFS 'allowances' are more generous than those used by SC.


I must agree that the NDL fact sheets are excellent, and I certainly use them in preference to any, including the CAB's.


I believe that there is no better advice than face to face debt advice coupled with casework carried out to support the client - but it is expensive.


NDL, in my opinion, provide the best telephone advice available - far better than ours - have you tried ringing a CAB? - You can always rely on NDL to give advice in your best interests with no other influence on their advice.


DD

Hi

Yes, I more or less go with this.

Difficult times ahead with many needing on going support or they often can and do end up back at square one or worse.

The cost and funding have always been an issue and unfortunately more so now with many in debt (often the most vulnerable) suffering as a result.

My take

DC

Depth_Charge

Hi

On the subject of the Common Financial Statement - a good information link here from the MAT -

http://www.moneyadvicetrust.org/advice/supportingadvisers/Pages/Common-Financial-Statement.aspx

DC