We are a local authority welfare benefits and money advice unit: we do casework/telephone advice/campaigns/training/information and social policy.
We are looking for a data management programme for our benefits and money advice casework primarily as currently data is collected and interpreted clerically. This limits what we can do with it and is also quite time consuming. Is anyone using a data management package which works and can give us a website link to get further information? As well as casework, it would be helpful for the package to be flexible enough to feed in campaigns data/telephone helpline calls. Any comments on what works/costs etc would be useful.
Thanks in anticipation.
Theresa Rowe

have you looked at AIMS (lasa's Advice & Information Management System) -

'The system enables advice and information providers to collect data relating to their service users, capturing details for social policy and reporting purposes, as well as offering a range of integrated functions designed to assist workers with their casework management.

The system provides a number of features designed to offer practical help and assistance in the delivery of quality assured services. For instance, those agencies seeking a Quality Mark under the Community Legal Service framework would find AIMS useful in meeting various audit reporting requirements, providing step by step procedures for dealing with client related problems and making and monitoring appropriate referrals, all within the LSC framework.

AIMS offers agencies the opportunity to customise the system so that the software matches their preferred working practices and style of service delivery. For instance, the system will allow agencies to create a new coding classification scheme, or to select and adapt a pre-defined configuration. It will also enable agencies to record using one scheme whilst reporting using another.'

We are also looking to use AIMS and would appreciate some feedback/discussion with other local authorty based advice agencies who use the system.

Gary
I am just requesting a demo disc now. Have you had a chance to look at the AIMS system and have you had any other responses to the message. I find it hard to believe that no local authority WRU is using such a package especially with CLS and the greater need for egov/evidence based work. I thought we were trailing in our modernisation drive!
Theresa

To get a free copy of the AIMS Demo CD, email mailto:[email protected], with your request, giving your agency name, a contact name and full postal address ...

For more info on AIMS, see http://www.lasa.org.uk/aims

Thanks Shawn, I did this earlier today.

hi theresa

yes, sorry .... had seen that you were on to it ..... just taking the opportunity to alert others !

cheers - shawn

Theresa
You are welcome to take a look at WROSeS (Welfare Rights Online Secure electronic System) developed here in Lancashire with IIZUKA. If you send me your email address I can create an account for you on the demo site www.wroses.com. There are also two free conferences in Preston and Birmingham in April http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/pdfs/ECMS_March_2005.pdf More information can be found on the Other Issues Forum.
Alex Walker
[email protected]