Social security agency guides speak plainly

A series of A to Z Guides to public services published by the Social Security Agency in partnership with voluntary groups has won a national award from the Plain English Campaign.

The ‘Inside Write’ commendation was presented to agency staff today in recognition of their user-friendly way of communicating information about the benefits available to the public and how to claim them. The Agency was the only winner from Northern Ireland in this year’s Plain English competition.

The Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, Chris Thompson, said: “Our Agency is very proud of this achievement. It is an important recognition of the improvement in the quality of our customer information. Public services can only really be fully accessed if the people know about them.”

The three A-Z Guides for Farmers, Pensioners, and People with Disabilities impressed the judges with their clear and easy to follow sign-posted information.

Mr Thompson paid credit to the voluntary and community organisations, which helped to produce the guides: “This award is shared by everyone who was involved in the projects. We have especially enjoyed working closely with the voluntary groups. Without their input, the guides would not have achieved this success.”

The awards were presented at The Brewery in London by comedienne Sandi Toksvig.

The Social Security Agency has been a corporate member of the Plain English Campaign since March 2002. 'Plain English' is defined as language that the intended audience can understand and act upon from a single reading.

Inside Write Awards is a specific category open to public sector organisations for producing documents with clarity which meet the standard set out by the Plain English campaign.

The A-Z guides can be seen on the Social Security Agency website at www.ssani.gov.uk

(SP)