Advice and Information Services

Welfare, debt, housing and employment advice and information services are essential socio-economic levers for those accessing support. The Highland Council is inviting expressions of interest for the provision of face to face advice and information services relating to debt management, benefits, housing and employment rights. Access to these advice and support services must be available for free to all residents living in the Highland Council area. Face to face services must be provided Monday to Friday, 0900-1700 hrs, across the Highlands. The provider will be required to have offices available to public visitors in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh, Lochaber, Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairn. Face to face advice will be delivered by appointment, drop-in services and through outreach sessions held in local communities. Providers will also be required to provide representation for clients and preparation and submission of appeals, financial statements, tribunal documentation on clients’ behalf. In addition to face to face services, providers will be required to offer online and telephone advice for clients. Additional information: The face to face and office elements of this requirement are on the basis of Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1700. This is a vital component of the requirement.