Alongside our casework for individuals we also see social policy as an essential part of our work. Social policy work involves raising general legal problems and issues that the community has raised with us. It may just be one issue affecting one person or it maybe the same issue affecting lots of people. Often there is no strict legal solution, and it maybe that the law or policy needs changing. The Law Centre highlight for instance where services are failing and to link individual legal problems to broader questions of local and national policy and practice to improve social inclusion.
The majority of our clients are disproportionately unemployed or in low paid work, disabled or suffer from long term health problems. Many are from ethnic minorities. Many of our clients are asylum seekers, refugees, the elderly or live in poor housing conditions. Whilst solutions can be found on a case by case basis - we recognise that, when we can, we need to tackle the cause and not just the symptoms.
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For instance, we recognised that many children entitled to DLA were not claiming Disability Living Allowance. As much as 50% of those entitled were not receiving the benefit. We launched our 'Quids for Kids' campaign to raise this, and to ensure that claims were made. See the attached leaflet below. This is one example of our work. Download the 'Quids for Kids' leaflet [right click to save] |
We also work with other organisations to raise the awareness of wider policy issues that need to be changed. These include:
- London Advice Services Alliance
- Housing Law Practitioners Group
- Immigration Law Practitioners Group
- Shelter
- Child Poverty Action Group
- Law Centres Federation
If you think the Law Centre might be able to help you, please contact us or come along to the next drop-in advice session.
You may also find helpful information from the organisations listed in our Useful Links page.
