We Are Digital (WAD) has called on the Government and big businesses to tear up ‘fragmented, outdated and siloed’ welfare models and implement an approach that could save councils millions.
The welfare technology business, which connects people to local services, has created an ‘Impact Council’, with leaders from health services, internet providers, housing associations and local and central government, to design a new system.
It said it aimed to improve the experience of people seeking services like debt advice, housing assistance, or online skills training.
According to WAD, these people must often make dozens of calls and attend several appointments to get the right help, so the tech company seeks to put people in touch with a single contact so they can get help directly.
WAD said the approach could save councils and providers millions of pounds.
WAD’s CEO Matthew Adam said: ‘This is not something that everyone wants to hear, but the system designed to help people in need is itself in need of critical help, and that means modernisation and disruption.
‘The lack of a joined-up service means that not only are people losing out, but this outdated and siloed system is costing millions of pounds more than it should. The system is fragmented, but it can be saved if everyone is committed to it.’
