The Universal Credit Conference 2023

By the end of 2024, the UK Government plans to have replaced all seven types of legacy benefits with one all-encompassing universal credit system. Following the two phases of migration, local authorities, the voluntary sector, and the social housing sector will all have a key role to play in ensuring claimants receive high-quality support. The current cost of living crisis further exacerbates the need for innovative strategies and partnership working across these sectors to support financially vulnerable households.

• Under the universal credit system, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 55% of households would have higher entitlements, whereas 35% would be worse off without top up payments
• The number of people using food banks rose by 48% in the two years after universal credit was introduced, according to the Trussell Trust
• As of July 2022, 5.7 million people in the UK were on universal credit with half of these households having children (DWP)
• According to rightsnet, 10% of the first cohort of claimants invited to move onto universal credit did not do so and lost their legacy entitlement

Join us at The Universal Credit Conference 2023 to hear the latest updates on the transition from the legacy benefit system to universal credit. High-level keynotes will provide national contextual guidance on supporting universal credit claimants. Best practice case studies from leading experts will offer insights into delivering financial security, stable accommodation, and supporting those who cannot work or are unemployed. Gain the opportunity to network with other professionals from across the UK and share practical learning.

Why Attend:

✓High-level keynotes discussing the national plan for universal credit

✓Contextual guidance from experience in tackling the cost of living crisis

✓Case studies demonstrating best practice multi-agency working approaches to support universal credit claimants

✓Networking with senior colleagues across local government, community organisations, and housing sectors

✓8 CPD points towards your yearly quota

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including HR and Employment, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Dr Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance, The Open University (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Government Update: Transitioning from Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit

  Stuart Ison, Director for External Affairs, Strategic Design and Planning for Universal Credit Programme, Department for Work and Pensions (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: A Crisis on Our Doorstep: The Deepening Impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on Children and Young People in the UK

  Alistair Cooper, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor (Child Poverty), Barnardo’s (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers

• 11:00

  Comfort Break

• 11.20

  Case Study: Ensuring Long-Term Successful Tenancies and Improving Support for Universal Credit Claimants

  • Insight into the rational behind universal credit and common operational practice
  • Identifying and overcoming the barriers to claimants when accessing support
  • Practical guidance for adapting universal credit support to improve outcomes for tenants

  Danny Hardie, Team Leader of Financial Inclusion and Money Advice, Peabody (CONFIRMED)

• 11:40

  Case Study: Providing Resources to Help Manage and Overcome Debt

  • Credit Unions: building financial inclusion bridges in our communities
  • Developing financial inclusion resources for helping people manage their debt and get on top of their finances
  • Employer engagement: providing financial resources to support staff through payroll deduction
  • Delivering community projects to help vulnerable residents manage their money

  Ian Brewer, Financial Inclusion & Business Development Officer, Bradford District Credit Union (CONFIRMED)

  Katie Hurrell, Chief Executive Officer, Bradford District Credit Union (CONFIRMED)

• 12:00

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.20

  Lunch Break

• 13:15

  Case Study: Developing a Multi-Agency Information Campaign to Support Low Income Households Through the Cost of Living Crisis

  • Insights into developing a multi-agency public information programme and solutions to overcome common obstacles faced during partnership working
  • Guidance for embedding lived experience within a public support strategy through co-design and consultations with Community Advocates
  • The Debt BUSter: supporting people with limited digital access with in-person financial advice in their community setting
  • Implementing lessons from the cost of living crisis to ensure the success of a future crisis response strategy

  Tom Rahilly, Assistant Director Communities and Social Policy, Greater London Authority (CONFIRMED)

• 13.35

  Case Study: Embedding Financial Inclusion for Holistic Support to Universal Credit Claimants

  • Sharing lessons from designing a council service with designated in-house support to safeguard universal credit claimants
  • The Newcastle approach: sharing tips from various support schemes to champion financial inclusion and better identify those at risk
  • Innovative partnership working strategies to enrich local support and better reach out to low income households

  James Steward, Programme Lead: Active Inclusion, Adult Social Care and Integrated Services, Newcastle City Council (CONFIRMED)

• 13:55

  Questions and Answers 

• 14.15

  Breakout Networking: Overcoming Challenges to Provide Effective Support for Low Income Households and Universal Credit Claimants

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss innovative ways to ensure wrap around support for people on universal credit. Share what has worked well in your organisation or local community, as well as the common challenges you face, with peers from across the sector.

• 14:45

  Comfort Break

• 15.00

  Case Study: Community Support Hubs: A Holistic Approach to Boosting People into the Labour Market

  • Creating a place-based support centre with trained officers to deliver in-person advice to jobseekers on universal credit
  • Advice for accessing government funding and making the most out of limited budgets
  • Best practice guidance on working with regional employers to assess their needs and match jobseekers with vacancies
  • Signposting young people to key upskilling services and overcoming barriers to engagement
  • Key tips for building in monitoring and evaluation processes during project planning to maximise service delivery

  Beccy Brown, Employment and Skills Officer, Somerset Council (CONFIRMED)

• 15:20

  Case Study: Social Safety Nets: Implementing ‘Cash First’ Hardship Support for Disadvantaged Families 

  • Understanding the context for local welfare assistance and financial support schemes
  • Implementing the ‘cash first’ scheme: evidence on its beneficial impact for disadvantaged families
  • Showcasing best practice in designing schemes and disbursing cash payments
  • Insights into the LB Barking and Dagenham / Leeds case studies

  Gareth Evans, Co-Director, The Financial Inclusion Centre (CONFIRMED)

• 15:40

  Questions and Answers

• 16.00

  Chair’s Summary & Close

  *programme subject to change without notice

  

Who Should Attend?

This conference is open to professionals in public, private, and third sectors. Attendees who work with people on universal credit or in the universal credit system will be interested in this event.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £649.00+VAT