Citizens Advice delivers advocacy training to SDLP Staff

SDLP Leader Margaret Ritchie with CAB Legal Support Officer Louise Kyne and SDLP local Councillors and constituency employees following advocacy training provided by Citizens Advice at Stormont

Following a request from Margaret Ritchie’s office training and advocacy staff within Citizens Advice developed a one day advocacy training course for SDLP members.  The training consisted of an introduction to decision-making, appeals and social security advocacy.

The training took place on Tuesday 22nd March in Parliament Buildings, Stormont and was attended by nine SDLP members from across Northern Ireland.  The attendees work in various roles within the SDLP and wished to deepen their knowledge of the social security appeals system.

Following attendance at the training a participant said: “I have to say, I found my appeal this morning a lot easier (and actually enjoyed it!) based on the information from the training. It really was worthwhile and very useful. At the very least, I was a lot more confident in my assertions, and feel I am providing the best case for the appellant.”

Louise Kyne, Legal Support Officer for Citizens Advice said:  "The demand for representation at appeals is at an all time high.  Training in social security advocacy provides real benefits for tribunal representatives and ensures that clients receive high quality advice and representation.”

During the year Citizens Advice has been involved in the delivery of specialised training to a number of different organisations including Co-ownership Housing, Cedar Foundation, the Consumer Council, Institute Professional Legal Studies, Integrated Services for Children and Young People, Queens University Social Work Department, Praxis, and the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health.  Training is available for external organisations across a wide range of subject areas including social security, money advice, interviewing and negotiating and social security advocacy. 

Further details of the training available through Citizens Advice is available by contacting Janet Sproule on 028 9023 1120 or via e-mail at sproulej@citizensadvice.co.uk.