Why FLATS?

People in vulnerable and disadvantaged groups face some of the greatest barriers to accessing legal advice and support, whether it is for a particularly specialist issue, such as immigration, or a more everyday problem such as non-payment of bills.

Many people in these groups will come into contact with a variety of front line organisations in Birmingham who provide support, advice and services. However few are able to provide specialist legal advice and support.

The FLATS project aims to enable front line agencies to recognise the legal rights and needs of their clients, and provide them with the correct support and advice, by providing a programme of training, support and advice.

Development

The Frontline Agency Training and Support project is a consortium of eight partner organisations whose expertise covers a range of social welfare issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, asylum issues, consumer rights, employment. Five of these have previously worked together on a similar pilot project between 2004-2006.

Funding

FLATS is funded by the BIG Lottery Fund as part of a four-year project running from 2008-2012.