Specialist Support Services

The LSC has launched a consultation on the future funding of the Specialist Support Service.

The consultation period opened on Friday 30 March, and the deadline for responses is Friday 11 May 2012.

We are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in or experience of the issues covered by this consultation.

The Specialist Support Service began as a pilot scheme in 2000 to:

improve legal service delivery;
produce better outcomes for clients, and;
build capacity and knowledge of the law and skills in advice and casework.

We currently fund nine Specialist Support organisations to provide a second tier, expert service in civil categories of law to eligible organisations. Specialist Support covers:

housing
welfare benefits
debt
employment
immigration
community care
public law
mental health

Contracts with the Specialist Support organisations are due to expire on 30 June 2012.

The consultation paper outlines our proposals on the future funding of Specialist Support in these categories.

Last updated: 30 March 2012