Limited reopening of face to face advice services 

Yesterday (20 August), the Scottish Government announced that limited face to face advice provision can resume from Monday 24 August. This announcement recognises the resilience shown by the advice sector since the pandemic began in adapting service delivery and supporting individuals in need.

From Monday, face to face advice delivery can resume for welfare, debt, and income maximisation purposes, when alternative methods of advice delivery are unsuitable or not possible.

Advice organisations are being asked to ensure that while clients can attend appointments for the above purposes, footfall remains minimised as much as possible and clients who are able to access advice remotely (e.g. by phone or email) should still be encouraged to do so.

In line with Test and Protect guidance, contact details for clients attending in-person appointments will need to be recorded and physical distancing measures must be put in place. Staff, volunteers, and clients will also be required to wear face coverings unless an exemption applies. Risk assessments should be undertaken in line with the current retail and office sector guidance which can be accessed from the Scottish Government website.