INFOTECH

Firms byte into 40m project

STEPUP SERVICE: government scheme places unemployed people in the workplace

Law firms across England and Wales could soon get help with developing their IT systems free of charge thanks to changes to a government scheme which places unemployed people in the workplace.

The 40 million StepUP service - launched last year by Jobcentre Plus and run by the Centre for Full Employment - helps people who have been unable to find work through the New Deal programme by setting up government-funded work placements.

The first law firm to take advantage of the scheme is Sheffield's Norrie Waite & Slater, which has taken on Dexton Berry to update its computer system.

He will start by converting all the firm's probate records into electronic format.

The StepUP programme also covers Cardiff, Oldham, Sunderland, East Ayrshire, Leeds, Manchester, Sandwell, Bristol, Great Yarmouth, Knowsley, Rotherham, Coventry, Burnley, Wrexham, Dundee, Bradford, and the London boroughs of Lambeth, Greenwich, and Hackney.

StepUP development officer Alan Burley said it had previously been restricted to placing people with an interest in legal issues in voluntary advice agencies, but these rules have been relaxed.

He said he expects interest from law firms looking to build their IT.

'Solicitors seem to have a lot of problems with this - for example, with creating electronic records,' he said.

'This might make them think: "If we can get someone in for a year and they spend a couple of afternoons or mornings working on it, we will get there".'

Norrie partner Dave Staniforth said: '[The scheme] is a great way of supporting existing staff numbers and I would recommend that other companies take a look at StepUp and see what it can do for them.'

Paula Rohan