New vulnerability hub launched by Equity Release Council

November 14, 2025 by Brendan O'Neill

Mortgage Advisors

A new online hub has been launched by the Equity Release Council, which is designed to help mortgage advisors to assist vulnerable clients.

This hub has been given the name Safe Steps and it will be available to all advisors and companies operating within the market for later life lending. The hub will provide them with a range of insights and tools that they can deploy when advising vulnerable clients. What the Equity Release Council is hoping is that it will enable them to offer greater care, clarity and empathy to people who are in that situation.

Safe Steps is the creation of the Equity Release Council, but that organisation has partnered with several others to ensure its widespread availability. One of those partner organisations is the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI).

Among the useful features that advisors will find when they access the hub are practical real-world examples and case studies. The idea is to drive a culture in which greater kindness and understanding is shown towards clients who are struggling. The hub is also intended to teach equity release advisors how to spot and deal with vulnerability.

Kelly Melville-Kelly works for the Equity Release Council. She spoke to Financial Reporter:

“Every customer has a story. For some, later life lending is a positive step towards new opportunities; for others, it comes at a time of change or challenge. Safe Steps is about recognising those moments and responding with understanding and respect.”

Many advisors choose to follow up CeMAP training by getting the CeRER equity release qualification.