New support service built by GDS with the Insolvency Service follows 'simple smart answer' format
A collaboration between the Insolvency Service and the Government Digital Service has produced an online tool to help people in debt get on top of their situation.
They have made the debt management tool available on the GOV.UK platform, and are now monitoring its use with plans for a review and possible improvements in a few months.
A blogpost from the GOV.UK team says the Insolvency Service made the initial approach on developing the tool last year.
It has been based on the 'simple smart answer' content format, in which the user is asked a series of 'yes' or 'no' questions to find out more about their circumstances.
Its content focuses on what users must do rather than general advice on the available debt solutions, as the latter falls under the list of of things that cannot be published on the platform. But it provides prompts to contact organisations such as Citizens Advice and the Money Advice Service if needed.
There is also an emphasis on simple presentation through bullet points rather than detailed information to make it easier for users.
An iterative development process involved testing by the Insolvency Services user researchers and input from experts in the debt advice sector.
