Advice Network and Training Partnership (Bradford and District) Charity no. 1105947
What is the
Advice Network & Training Partnership (Bradford & District)?
The ANTP (B&D) is a network of independent advice centres across Bradford District (there are over 30 advice giving organisations). The group has a regular mailing and holds regular exchanges for ‘front line’ advisers to discuss current issues and share good practice. The group also has an elected Management Committee (MC) which meets monthly. The MC is made up of representatives from a wide range of independent advice centres.
Training for people interested in getting into the exciting world of advice work is strength of this organisation. We have developed training a course entitled Basic Advice Work Skills for volunteers.This course is specifically designed for people who have minimal or no experience the advice sector. The course is free of charge and runs frequently through the year.
The ANTP (B&D) has also developed the Advice Exchange for frontline advisers and other key workers in the sector. This group wing portfolio of training offers topical issues to help develop the workforce in the advice sector in Bradford and District.
What does the ANTP (B&D) mean by ‘independent advice centre’?
Independent advice centres are mainly voluntary sector organisations that provide free, independent and confidential advice about legal rights. They vary in size and some communities and neighbourhoods in the Bradford District are better served than others. Advice centres do not give criminal legal advice but do help with social welfare law issues.
What do independent advice centres do?
Independent advice centres help people to understand and enforce their legal rights. They:
- Provide general information about legal rights
- Tailor legal information to advise individuals about their rights
- Outline legal options for particular individuals’ circumstances
- Provide ongoing casework for longer running problems
- Act as advocates to enforce legal rights in courts and tribunals
- Monitor trends and campaign for changes in the law, policies and procedures
The commonest reason that leads people to seek advice is benefit problems. However advice
centres also advise people about their rights in debt, housing, immigration, asylum,
employment, consumer, mental health and community care. They also ‘signpost’ people to a
variety of more specialist legal advice and social/community support organisations.
What are the aims of the ANTP (B&D)?
The formal aims of the ANTP (B&D) are to advance the education of members of independent advice centres, the legal, social work and community work professions, public authorities and interested members of the public generally by:
- Increasing knowledge of social welfare law and policies as they affect people suffering financial hardship or discrimination within the Bradford District.
- Developing the quantity, quality and efficiency of independent legal advice services for people experiencing financial hardship or discrimination within the Bradford District
Advice Network & Training Partnership (B & D) - Organisational Structure
Networking