Citizens Advice RCT Integrated Specialist Advice Service

The service delivers a range of specialist advice services across Rhondda Cynon Taf, supporting residents with complex and often urgent issues. Open-door services in Mountain Ash and Pontypridd provide immediate access to specialist crisis advice, ensuring clients can receive specialist advice and support at the point they need it most. Alongside this, the service offers in-depth specialist advice through a single open door access system, enabling coordinated and consistent support. Referral-led services are designed for clients who may struggle to access advice through standard routes and require more targeted, intensive support due to multiple and layered issues. This includes stabilising financial situations through specialist debt advice, income maximisation and budgeting support, as well as providing representation at welfare benefit appeals where required. The service works collaboratively with local authority services including social workers, support workers, Resilient Families Teams and homelessness prevention services, to plan and deliver support together, ensuring shared outcomes for clients and a seamless and joined up client journey. All advice is delivered by highly skilled advisers, with debt advice provided by FCA-registered staff and subject to robust quality assurance processes. The service holds the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) across Consumer, Debt, Welfare Benefits, Health and Community Care, Disability, Older People, and Students and Young People, as well as the IAQF quality standard, ensuring high-quality specialist advice for those requiring additional and targeted support.