Edinburgh Advice Partnership plans to increase communication with EAN: latest EAP meeting minutes
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As part of a refreshed Terms of Reference for the Edinburgh Advice Partnership (EAP), the group plans to increase communication with the Edinburgh Advice Network (EAN) with monthly updates and access to meeting minutes via the EAN resources page. June's EAP meeting included funding updates, discussion on Social Security Scotland issues and on EAP governance. The minutes have now been published.
Edinburgh Advice Partnership Overview and the June EAP meeting
The Edinburgh Advice Partnership (EAP), brings together advice providers and key strategic partners with a shared vision and purpose. Unlike the Edinburgh Advice Network (EAN) which gathers a broad group of practitioners, the EAP consists of sector leaders and serves as the steering group for the EAN.
The EAP recognises that not all organisations within the EAN will be directly represented at Partnership level, however the partnership will ensure there are clear and accessible routes for EAN members and other stakeholders to raise issues, share insight and inform discussions. Going forward meeting minutes will be shared monthly with members, alongside information on how to get involved.
June EAP meeting
The partnership met to discuss a range of issues affecting advice provision across Edinburgh. Full minutes and meeting documents are available via the EAN resources section under EAP updates.
Funding Updates
CEC Advice Commissioning: Partners discussed the ongoing commissioning process, including accreditation requirements, consortium approaches and the proposed service model. It was noted that organisations progressing towards Scottish National Standards accreditation may still be eligible to apply, and current funded providers would continue to receive funding in 2027/28 if unsuccessful in procurement. For more information on this topic see:
Connecting Communities: Funding is expected to be extended for a further year to March 2028.
Third Sector Resilience Fund: The Council is recruiting third sector representatives to help shape the development of the new fund.
Understanding Demand and Unmet Need
The partnership reviewed service reach and demographic data following a focused session on data held in the May EAP meeting. The group discussed how advice services might better evidence unmet need, particularly where clients cannot access support due to capacity constraints. A shared approach to collecting unmet need data is being explored.
Further work is also planned with Smart Data Foundry to explore data sharing opportunities; poverty and demand mapping and utilising data to improve service planning.
Social Security Scotland: Issues Raised by Advice Services
The partnership discussed issues, and prepared questions for Social Security Scotland (SSS) ahead of the July EAP meeting where an input is expected from Local SSS Service representatives. Key issues raised included:
Delays and lack of clarity around Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment applications.
Inconsistencies in gathering supporting medical evidence, including reports that GP evidence is not always requested where applicants have asked Social Security Scotland to do so.
Long waiting times for redeterminations, appeals and tribunal outcomes.
Concerns about decision making where clients have mental health conditions, learning disabilities or complex needs but limited access to health or support services.
Difficulties experienced by authorised representatives in receiving correspondence and obtaining information about claims.
A need for clearer escalation routes for urgent or complex cases.
Challenges around identity verification processes and delays in accessing support.
The EAP has submitted these issues to Social Security Scotland Local Service and National Stakeholder representatives and will share feedback following the July meeting. You can view further detail on the questions submitted on the 'Questions for Social Security Scotland' document which is listed with the minutes in the EAN resources section.
EAP Governance and Engagement
The Partnership reviewed its Terms of Reference, with discussion focusing on strengthening membership arrangements, ensuring representation from key sectors and improving how lived experience informs EAP activity. Members also agreed measures to improve transparency and communication, including regularly sharing EAP minutes and summaries with the wider Edinburgh Advice Network. A revised draft Terms of Reference will be circulated for final feedback (find a copy of this in the EAN resources section).
Other Updates
Partners discussed the growing impact of artificial intelligence, both in advice organisations and through clients using AI-generated information.
Updates from strategic housing partnership discussions, including homelessness prevention, benefit uptake and affordable housing supply.
Winter preparedness planning is underway, with advice services, NHS and Council partners exploring closer coordination around money advice, fuel poverty support and wider wellbeing initiatives.
An online information session on Community Asset Transfer to be held in September, further details will be shared in due course.
The next Edinburgh Advice Network in person event is now confirmed for 23rd September. It will focus on Temporary Accommodation and include a workshop on charging. Full details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Coming Up
The next EAP meeting includes a dedicated session with Social Security Scotland representatives, alongside a presentation from Fife Gingerbread on the Child Maintenance Project, ongoing Edinburgh Pilot and training opportunities. Further updates will be shared through Edinburgh Advice Network communications.
For more information or to share feedback and help inform discussion on any of the topics covered in the June EAP meeting, contact your organisations' EAP representative (where you have one), or the Edinburgh Advice Network Coordinator at joanne.baldock@capitalcitypartnership.org.
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