Thousands of Liverpool families to benefit from new £1.1m advice support programme

Thousands of Liverpool families will be able to access more help with benefits, debt, housing and everyday living costs through a new £1.1 million support programme.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet has approved the four-year programme, which will see dedicated Citizens Advice Liverpool advisers providing free and independent support through Family Hubs and community venues across the city.

Around 1,500 families are expected to receive help each year, with approximately 6,000 families supported over the lifetime of the programme.

The scheme aims to help families maximise their income, access benefits and other support they may be entitled to, and deal with financial problems before they develop into a crisis.

Residents will be able to receive advice on benefits and welfare entitlements, debt and money management, housing and tenancy problems, employment, childcare costs and Healthy Start applications.

Advisers will also be able to help families access local hardship schemes and other practical support.

People experiencing more urgent difficulties, including rent arrears, debt problems or issues with benefit payments, will be offered tailored advice and referred to other specialist services where needed.

Support will be available through Liverpool’s network of 12 Family Hubs as well as other community locations, allowing residents to seek advice in familiar and accessible settings.

The programme forms part of Liverpool City Council’s wider efforts to tackle child and family poverty.

Around four in ten children in Liverpool are estimated to be growing up in poverty, including many living in households where parents are in employment.

Citizens Advice Liverpool will work alongside the city’s Family Hubs, Liverpool City Council’s Financial Resilience Team and other advice organisations to provide joined-up support for families.

The programme will also work closely with the Liverpool Access to Advice Network (LATAN), which brings together advice organisations and other partners across the city.

The partnership aims to strengthen referrals between services, improve coordination and make it easier for residents to get the right help when they need it.

The investment sits alongside wider work in Liverpool aimed at tackling child and family poverty, including action on bed poverty and hygiene poverty, support for frontline practitioners and stronger partnerships between voluntary, community, faith and public sector organisations.

Further details about how Liverpool residents can access the new service will be announced ahead of its launch.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: 

“Cabinet’s approval of this investment is an important step in helping families access the support they need and deserve. 

“We know that many households are struggling with rising costs and financial pressures. Too often, people are missing out on help simply because they don’t know where to go or what support is available. 

“By bringing Citizens Advice Liverpool into Family Hubs and community settings, we’re making it easier for families to access trusted advice close to home. Whether it’s boosting household income, dealing with debt or getting support with housing issues, this programme will provide practical help that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said: 

“Poverty has a significant impact on health, wellbeing and opportunities throughout life. 

“We know that financial pressures can affect everything from mental wellbeing to children’s development and educational outcomes. That’s why it is so important that families can access advice and support quickly and easily. 

“This programme will help families maximise their income, improve financial resilience and access the wider support available across the city.”