The deregulation of the financial markets in the late eighties generated an availability of credit which led to questions about the lending practices of financial institutions and to a discussion as to what constitutes responsible lending, which is still unresolved today.

Society still retains judgmental attitudes to a problem which effects people from all social classes and which can strike a family for a range of complex reasons. Among these are sickness, loss of employment, industrial injury, family breakdown, reduction of overtime, business failure, multiple debts and irresponsible lending.

The finance industry and the advice sector have a mutual interest in the effective provision of money advice. From the industry’s point of view, it represents a more cost effective process than court action. From the advice agency’s point of view, effective money advice helps achieve objectives in respect of meeting social need and tackling poverty.

This book is intended to be a working handbook for debt advisers, and the content clearly illustrates the complexity of the processes in which advisers have to engage to ensure a successful outcome for their clients, and the considerable range of skills which are deployed by advisers. Both parties can benefit from positive interaction and partnership, and this publication will hopefully encourage a continuing dialogue.