The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Alliance currently includes members of the Crisis Support Working Group (CSWG), other Third Party Organisations (TPOs), the LGA, local authorities, and the DWP’s CRF team.

The objectives of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Alliance are to:

• support the implementation of the CRF in individual local authorities across England aiming to ensure that people can be effectively supported when in immediate crisis as well as in the longer term through help to build financial resilience;
• support research, evidence-gathering, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the CRF following the exemplary co-design process led by the DWP for the CRF guidance;
• support the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Local Government Association (LGA), as well as other relevant trusted bodies to disseminate information and good practice as a conduit for helpful advice and guidance to local authorities and others involved in disbursement of the CRF;
• enable access to effective tools and learning materials, by a range of means to support learning and sharing between local authorities, civil society organisations and others, building an authoritative, and readily accessible repository of good practice;
• facilitate connection between Government, local authorities, experts by experience (ensuring participation is accessible and supported through renumeration), relevant associations, academics, and civil society groups with the support they need to enable fulfilment of the CRF’s three main outcomes:

Outcome 1: ‘Provision of effective crisis support. Delivering effective crisis support is intended to prevent the occurrence or escalation of individuals' crises. By offering timely, needs-based assistance to those with low incomes facing financial shocks, Authorities can reduce the risk of crisis need. This includes the provision of financial support towards housing needs, to those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.’

Outcome 2: ‘Improving individuals' financial resilience. By strengthening financial resilience among individuals, Authorities empower citizens to better manage financial shocks and mitigate the occurrence, recurrence and escalation of crises.’ 

Outcome 3: ‘Bolstering the local-level support landscape. A joined-up, visible local support network is key to the CRF's approach to build financial resilience. This includes strengthening resilience networks within local communities, that in turn boost the financial resilience of individuals within these communities. This coordination enables a suitable range of Resilience Services to exist within a local area and ensures there are clear referral pathways between them and crisis support. Through this effective join-up of local support services, Authorities can expect those seeking crisis support to be appropriately referred to services that build their individual financial resilience.’

CRF Alliance Secretariat members include End Furniture Poverty, Carers Trust, Sustain, the Independent Food Aid Network, Trussell, Expert Link, Resolve Poverty, and the Local Government Association (LGA).

Secretariat members work alongside the DWP's CRF Team, Derbyshire County Council, Greenwich Borough Council, AGE UK, Feeding Britain, SVP, MENCAP, CPAG, The Children's Society, StepChange, Citizens Advice, Independent Age, North East Child Poverty Commission, and Turn2Us as CRF Alliance Working Group.

Observer group members include other local authorities, third party organisations, and academics.

To find out more about the CRF Alliance and get involved please contact admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.

The LGA is planning to establish a local authority forum to share learning and concerns as part of the wider CRF Alliance and we will share details on this shortly. If you would be interested in being part of the LGA forum, please contact rose.doran@local.gov.uk.