Delivering and Evaluating Support for Low-income Residents in Southwark

The Centre for Responsible Credit (‘CfRC’) has been commissioned by Southwark Council deliver and evaluate the impact of the Breakthrough project. Breakthrough is an experimental action research project targeting foodbank users with additional monthly income boosts made from the Household Support Fund (‘HSF’) over a ten-month period.

The project is evaluating how these - together with possible Council debt write downs and advice on benefits and debt issues from Citizens Advice Southwark – impact foodbank use, payment behaviours, and the wellbeing of residents. The Centre for Responsible Credit (CfRC) will continue to deliver a comprehensive suite of services aimed at supporting low-income residents in Southwark.

These services are designed to provide both immediate financial relief and long-term stability for vulnerable households, and will be delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Southwark. CfRC will oversee the overall delivery and evaluation of the programme, ensuring that all components are effectively coordinated and that outcomes are rigorously assessed.

Their role includes managing the project timeline, liaising with delivery partners, and producing a final evaluation report that captures the impact of the intervention. This evaluation will be critical in understanding the effectiveness of the support provided and in informing future policy and service design.

Citizens Advice Southwark, working under CfRC’s coordination, will be responsible for the direct delivery of advice and casework services. This includes verifying household income, offering tailored benefit and debt advice, and assisting residents in completing detailed income and expenditure statements.

These activities are essential for assessing the affordability of financial arrangements and ensuring that residents receive the full benefit of the support available. The services will also include the provision of income boost payments, which are designed to alleviate immediate financial pressures.

Although these payments are funded separately through the Household Support Fund, they are a central component of the support model. The project will ensure that all participants receive a full ten-month cycle of support, including financial advice and income supplementation.

The project will be monitored through regular reporting to the Breakthrough Project Board, which includes representatives from CfRC, Southwark Council, and Citizens Advice Southwark. This board will meet monthly to review progress, manage risks, and ensure that delivery remains aligned with agreed milestones.

The approach is designed to be adaptive, with clear communication channels enabling timely responses to emerging issues. In terms of community impact, the services provided by CfRC are expected to enhance financial and emotional stability among low-income households.

Expectations include reductions in foodbank reliance and rent arrears, as well as improvements in wellbeing and reduced anxiety. The project also aligns with the Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty by supporting residents from protected groups and promoting fairness and inclusion. This procurement represents a holistic and responsive approach to tackling financial hardship in Southwark, with a strong emphasis on partnership working, rigorous evaluation, and sustained support for those most in need.