Advocacy in Wirral's Legal Services Commission (LSC) welfare benefits advisor, Steve Harnden, has been appointed to a new role within a national advice network.

Steve has been involved in legal aid work for over 20 years, helping people with social welfare law issues and human rights, and has been involved with the Contracted Advice Agencies Network (CAAN) for the past 6 years, more recently as an executive board member for 2 years.  He was  elected Chair of CAAN with effect from 8 June 2011. The constitution of the organisation allows the Chair’s term of office to run for 3 years and 2 consecutive terms of office.

Membership of CAAN is an essential tool to successfully manage a Legal Aid contract. The world of legal aid is similar to the world of benefit advice - the rules, practices and procedures are constantly changing.   For example the LSC are currently conducting 5 different types of audit, and CAAN members receive up to date information as to what types of audit processes are being used and any that are planned for the future.

Steve said: "I'm very pleased to take on this role within CAAN.    I believe passionately about access to justice for individuals who are disadvantaged for whatever reason and who have not been treated fairly by the State".