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Work in progress - ratings and comments are still to be finalised

Experian Support Hub

1.1 Stated purpose

An initiative from the financial sector, where people can state their communication needs, and participating banks and utility companies can commit to respecting them.

1.2 Episodic or relational

2.1 Statutory notification

2.2 Info validated by

Sector

4.1 Personal identifier used

Online portal

Offline alternative

1.3 Data included

Relational

No

Financial services, Utilities

Name, address, address history, DoB

Yes

No

Full name

Address

Date of birth

Lifecycle events

Physical disabilities

Cognitive impairment

Mental health

Further info

Source URL

Privacy URL

Recipients

Banks/financial services

Utility companies

Strengths

A very clear and straightforward process to register, taking account of a wide range of the most common actionable support needs.

Participating organisations (recipients) have made an active commitment to meeting actionable support needs, giving an added degree of confidence.

Weaknesses

Ideally the Support Hub would offer an alternative (offline) means of sharing one's needs.

It is frustrating that such a well designed platform doesn't have a wider reach

Further information

Overall functional rating

3. Transparency, choice and control

3.1 Transparency

Sets a high benchmark for other platforms. Particularly good in the way it tells you what a company can/can't do to meet the request for reasonable adjustments.

3.2 Choice and control

Full choice and control over what data is provided and where it's sent

4. Functionality

4.2 Structured data

4.3 Free text

Structured data is very thorough, but no opportunity to add clarity/context/detail through free text. Example: "My personal circumstances" needs free text to let someone say what support they need as a result of the major life event.

4.4 Carer role

No explicit provision to nominate a carer/proxy to deal with day-to-day comms on your behalf.

4.5 Acknowledgement of receipt

Response initially received from bank to say they couldn't match my records. Added detail to my record; acknowledgement received saying Support Hub had successfully shared my needs with my bank.

4.6 Updates

System allows for updates

4.7 Access to records

5. Reach

5.1 Multi-sector acceptance

Relies on organisation to sign up. Nothing beyond banks, utilities and retail credit.

5.2 Recipients within orgs/services

Relies on organisation to ensure information is visible to staff who need it. Given that suppliers actively subscribe to the service, and commit to its principles and ethos, there's a degree of likelihood that this will be happening.

5.3 Proactive sharing

No provision

6. Language and user experience

6.1 Language

'Vulnerable' is a loaded word and will act as a barrier for many potential users of the platform

Words to watch

6.2 Conditions vs actionable support

No requirement for diagnoses/conditions to be shared

6.3 Online UX

Online experience seems well designed - straightforward and non-threatening

6.4 Offline UX

Unclear how a digitally excluded user would share their information

7. Outcomes

7.1 Actionable support needs

A good broad range of options available to select, and you don't have to go through any kind of "condition filter" to access them - they focus on what you need, not why you need it. However, if your specific ASNs aren't listed there's no way of sharing them due to lack of free text option.

7.2 Trustworthiness

Giving it a 4 for the clarity about how data will be used - ONLY to provide the support/reasonable adjustments that are requested

Think Local Act Personal: Data for People
Ratings against the 15 Principles

Overall

TLAP 2

TLAP 3

TLAP 4

TLAP 5

TLAP 6

TLAP 7

TLAP 8

TLAP 9

TLAP 10

TLAP 11

TLAP 12

TLAP 14

Money Advice Trust
Ratings against the 10 principles for designing vulnerable consumer data-sharing programmes

Overall

MAT 1

MAT 2

MAT 3

MAT 4

MAT 5

MAT 6

MAT 7

MAT 8

MAT 10-

Conditions/diagnoses identified
Actionable support needs identified
"When organisations write to me How organisations send written documents (letters, statements, etc.) to you Choose the format that's best for you or leave blank if not needed Send in a format I can listen to (audio CD) Send in Braille Grade 1 Send in Braille Grade 2 Send in large print (18-20 point) Send in giant print (20-32 point) None Other support needs relevant to written communications Please select all options that apply or leave blank if not needed I cannot reply in writing to paper letters. If you want me to respond, please give me another way to do this. Use a light pastel coloured paper to reduce colour contrast Speaking to me on the phone You may select one option from each of the lists below or leave them blank if they are not needed When organisations contact you by phone I cannot speak on the phone - do not call me When calling me use Relay UK Where possible, use a BSL Video Relay Service to call me. None When you contact an organisation by phone When I call you I need to use Relay UK - please take this into account Where possible, I need to contact your organisation using a BSL Video Relay Service None Meeting me in person Select this option if you cannot visit a branch or store I cannot attend meetings in person - if a meeting is required please contact me to schedule. You may select one option from each of the lists below or leave them blank if they are not needed Where I would like to meet I prefer to meet or wait in a quiet space (if available) I prefer to meet or wait in an open area with people around (if available) None British Sign Language interpreters I need you to arrange for a BSL interpreter to be present (if we schedule a meeting) I will bring my own BSL interpreter with me - please take this into account None Manual deaf-blind interpreters I need you to arrange for a manual deaf-blind interpreter to be present (if we schedule a meeting) I will bring my own manual deaf-blind interpreter with me - please take this into account None Other support needs when meeting me in person I have someone that will accompany me to provide support - please take this into account I have an assistance dog that will accompany me - please take this into account I require a hearing loop I need to see your face when you speak- it helps me to understand I find social interaction difficult - please take this into account My movement may be affected (including repetitive or noticeable body movements). Please ignore this and do not draw attention I require mobility support - please assist me When interacting with me Please select all options that apply or leave blank if not needed How I like to be interested [sic] with I need longer appointments Speak slowly and clearly Give me more time to respond or complete tasks Help me with my understanding of numbers and information Help me with my memory as I may forget information. My speech or voice may sound different to what you expect. Please don’t comment on this, but do take it into consideration. English is not my first language - I may need more time when interacting with staff. My speech may be affected (including involuntary words, stammering or sounds). Please give me time to respond and do not draw attention to this. My personal circumstances Sometimes, we experience a large change in our lives. This can include serious health issues, relationship breakdowns, and other events. You can choose to tell your organisations about these life events so that they can provide additional support where possible. The information will only be used to support you. You can choose on a later screen which organisations to tell. I want to tell my organisations about a: Severe or long-term health issue/illness Terminal illness Bereavement Divorce or relationship breakdown Change in my financial situation A significant change in my circumstances not listed above Managing my account If you would like to understand how to set up third party access (for example, careers [sic], family members or Power of Attorneys) for each organisation you share with, select this support need. We will send you an email with further information for each organisation. Please tell me about how to set up Third Party Access on my accounts. Contact me before processing any applications for credit Do not offer me credit limit increases Block any transactions on my accounts with gambling firms My communication preferences How I prefer organisation to contact me You may select one option from each of the lists below or leave them blank if they are not needed Where possible, communicate with me via letter (paper) Where possible, communicate with me via the telephone Where possible, communicate with me via email (paperless). Where possible, communicate with me via webchat in your app. None"
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