As the UK emerges from the Coronavirus pandemic many individuals may face an uncertain
future with the economy due to face a harsh recession according to the Chancellor of the
Exchequer.
Lenders and other financial services organisations have a significant obligation upon them
under regulatory requirements to ensure that vulnerable adults are treated fairly and have
access to appropriate products and services during these difficult times.
BS18477: 2010 the British Standard pertaining to inclusive service provision provides a
financial institution the opportunity to differentiate itself from its competitors by holding
unique certification from BSI to the above Standard. This demonstrates that inclusive service
provision is at the centre of the organisation’s framework for service delivery.
How is this addressed? BS18477: 2010 covers; inclusive service policies and procedures, the
creation of flexible services to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals. Adequate staff
training on inclusive service requirements and the current needs within the marketplace.
Fair marketing procedures must be established and embedded within the organisation,
together with soundly created sales procedures that must focus upon fair contractual terms,
the right to review and challenge.
Appropriate forms of contact that suit all types of user must be established to ensure that
there is no exclusionary activity.
Finally, the Standard addresses the requirements of transparent service provision such as
easy to understand billing, letters, and other communications.
BS18477 can be integrated within other management Standards. The author will be
releasing other blogs on BS18477 in due course.
For further information and to book your BS18477 survey please contact: Marcus J Allen at
Thamer James Ltd. Email: [email protected]
Marcus has twenty years’ experience in delivering Governance, Risk and Compliance
solutions to over two hundred organisations within the UK. Marcus holds the respected
Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance from the International Compliance Association
and holds a master’s degree in Management Learning & Change from the University of
Bristol.