Youth Access – for young people's information, advice and counselling | Youth Access responds to Community Legal Service CLS review

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Youth Access responds to Community Legal Service (CLS) review

31 October, 2005

February 2005

Youth Access has responded to 'The independent Review of the Community Legal Service', by arguing for greater resources to be directed towards improving young people's access to legal advice services. The review of the CLS, conducted by consultants Matrix, recommended improving linkages between the work of the CLS and reduction of social exclusion, simplification of the Quality Mark and refocusing the activity of CLS Partnerships. In our response we argue for:

a greater focus on meeting the needs of client groups, such as young people, with particular needs for advice and access difficulties;
the funding of properly evaluated demonstration projects to show the impact and relative effectiveness of different types of advice provision;
further research to be conducted into the advice needs and advice-seeking behaviour of vulnerable client groups, e.g. young people with mental health problems;
research into the impact of advice, including the economic benefits of early intervention advice and its contribution to government targets in areas such as crime, health and education;
a move away from the current Quality Mark auditing system towards greater self-assessment by advice agencies and accreditation through the advice networks;
the creation of 'client-specific' legal aid contracts that would be available to agencies targeting specific client groups, including young people, and would complement the existing subject-specific contracts;
collaboration between the Legal Services Commission and the DfES to develop a joined up methodology for assessing the advice needs of young people, covering both legal and non-legal needs
the replacement of CLS Partnerships with advice forums facilitated by the advice networks rather than by the Legal Services Commission.

View the DCA consultation paper: http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/commlegalservice/commlegalservice.htm (new window)

For further information, contact james@youthaccess.org.uk