A new service has been created which will aim to help parents, carers and pupils at schools deal with financial matters.

A dedicated welfare rights officers has been assigned to schools in North Ayrshire for the first time and will offer free confidential money advice to all families and pupils in the school.

Audrey Ritchie from North Ayrshire Council’s Money Matters Team has been appointed to the role.

The services on offer will include: completing a benefit check for your household, confirming the benefits you are entitled to, helping you to make a claim for benefits, to dispute benefit decisions and benefit sanctions, providing appeal representation and completing a referral to a partner agency for debt, budgeting or fuel advice.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic new initiative and one we are proud to support.

"It is one of a range of measures we have introduced to help families and their children.

“Many families don’t get all the financial assistance and benefits they are entitled to.

"They can often be intimidated or scared to ask for help or may be unaware of their entitlement.

“The rules can be complex, or sometimes they have been wrongly refused.

"We must do our best to help every person in that situation.”

Audrey is working across seven secondary schools in the county.

The two schools she will not be working with (Auchenharvie & Ardrossan academies) have a pilot running via a third sector organisation.

Audrey can be contacted directly on 01294 310498, drop her a text on 0779 907 5426 or email moneymatters@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can request a referral is made to Audrey on your behalf by contacting the school. This service is free and strictly confidential.