Scottish Welfare Fund Reviews Brian McCaskell Welfare Fund Manager

Background Initially customers are given a letter explaining timescales for appealing if grant refused Initially customers are given a letter explaining timescales for appealing if grant refused Both Crisis Grants/Community Care Grants can be appealed within 20 working days/must be in writing Both Crisis Grants/Community Care Grants can be appealed within 20 working days/must be in writing Discretion can be given if appeal out with timescales if reasonable circumstances given Discretion can be given if appeal out with timescales if reasonable circumstances given 1 st tier/2 nd tier levels of appeals 1 st tier/2 nd tier levels of appeals

Reviews If applicant not happy with outcome of a SWF decision they can request a Review because – If applicant not happy with outcome of a SWF decision they can request a Review because – Insufficient information was gathered during the application process Insufficient information was gathered during the application process The priority level allocated to their application was not appropriate The priority level allocated to their application was not appropriate Them not agreeing that the support they have been provided is appropriate to their needs Them not agreeing that the support they have been provided is appropriate to their needs Them not agreeing with the decision on eligibility Them not agreeing with the decision on eligibility Application been refused on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence, but applicant feels there was Application been refused on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence, but applicant feels there was

Timescales All 1 st Tier reviews must be dealt with in same timescales All 1 st Tier reviews must be dealt with in same timescales Crisis Grants = 2 working Days. Crisis Grants = 2 working Days. Community Care Grants = 15 Working Days Community Care Grants = 15 Working Days A different decision maker reviews decision made in line with government guidance and CEC Procedures A different decision maker reviews decision made in line with government guidance and CEC Procedures

2 nd Tier Reviews Appeal must be made within 20 working days of the 1 st Tier decision Appeal must be made within 20 working days of the 1 st Tier decision Be made in writing, include any new evidence and explain reason for appeal Be made in writing, include any new evidence and explain reason for appeal Is held by an Independent Review Panel Is held by an Independent Review Panel Crisis Grant – Held within 5 Working Days Crisis Grant – Held within 5 Working Days Community Care Grants – Held within 30 Working Days Community Care Grants – Held within 30 Working Days

Independent Review Panel Volunteers asked for from all Council Departments Volunteers asked for from all Council Departments Over 30 people expressed interest Over 30 people expressed interest Training carried out in 3 half day sessions Training carried out in 3 half day sessions Overview of SWF Fund and workshop style presentations made by Team Manager/Development staff Overview of SWF Fund and workshop style presentations made by Team Manager/Development staff

Progress To date approx 14 2 nd Tier Reviews held To date approx 14 2 nd Tier Reviews held 13 Community Care Grants, 1 Crisis Grant 13 Community Care Grants, 1 Crisis Grant Panel of 3 in attendance as much as possible Panel of 3 in attendance as much as possible Decision made and customer advised within a few days Decision made and customer advised within a few days

Feedback from Panel Members Training given was very good and used real examples Training given was very good and used real examples SWF Staff are always available when Review Panel meet in case of any query SWF Staff are always available when Review Panel meet in case of any query Submissions to the panel are excellent and clear Submissions to the panel are excellent and clear Revised Guidance was circulated to all panel members with a brief update Revised Guidance was circulated to all panel members with a brief update

Summary Enough Panel members in place to ensure not too great a burden Enough Panel members in place to ensure not too great a burden Panel Members feedback regularly Panel Members feedback regularly Decisions made fairly and in line with Guidance Decisions made fairly and in line with Guidance SWF Submissions clear and informative SWF Submissions clear and informative Decisions by Panel Members consistent and in line with guidance. Decisions by Panel Members consistent and in line with guidance.

Scottish Welfare Fund Reviews Any Questions?