Who uses the CAB?

Which geographic and social areas does it serve
and what needs does it meet?

Client profile and community profile

WCAB offers a service to all residents of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Client profile data from April 2007 suggests that 66% reside in Walthamstow, 15% reside in Leyton/Leytonstone, 16% in Chingford and 3% reside outside the Borough. The target is 100% Waltham Forest residents.

Callers who reside outside the Borough will be referred to their local CAB (and given access details). Other callers from outside the borough with very urgent problems are given initial emergency advice and then referred back as set out above.

Walthamstow Cab carries out month long client profiles twice a year. The profiles cover all the clients who call into our open sessions during the month in question. Data is entered directly onto software developed internally within the Bureau. There are 15 profile questions (including age, gender, ethnicity or race, disability/long term sickness issues, employment status, receipt of certain benefits, etc).

Analysis of CAB survey

A recent Bureau survey in April 2007 produced an analysis of the CAB client group. The main criteria analysed were:

Other also analyses showed:

  • gender - 38% male - 62% female
  • dependents - 58% having dependent children
  • health - 33% reported long term illness or disability
  • language - 44% did not have English as first language

Waltham Forest ranks as the '20th most deprived district in England and 14th in deprivation' measured by taking the 3 most deprived wards in each Local Authority London (page 26 of the 1997 London Borough of Waltham Forest Poverty Profile). However if one looks at the 'severity of area', Waltham Forest ranks as the 6th poorest in England.

Trend Identifiers last 2 years (as at April 2007)

More young people seen (8% -> 13%)
More women seen (52% -> 62%)
More council tenants seen (22% -> 28%)
More black caribbean people seen (21% -> 24%)
More black african people seen (14% -> 23%)
Fewer white people seen (26% -> 22%)
More single parents seen (32% -> 35%)

 

Background information page
Walthamstow home page

(updated 01/06/07)