During February, our SWF team

• responded to 71 enquiries
• made 58 decisions
  • 20 community care grants
  • 38 crisis grants
• upheld 11 (55% of) of community care grants and 9 (24% of) of crisis grants
• signposted an additional 30 applicants to other sources of assistance. 66% of these (27) were calling us instead of their local council in error
• received 11 enquiries from local councils seeking advice on the guidance 

Statutory Guidance update 

This month we are running training sessions for local authorities to support them with the changes to the SWF statutory guidance. 

The changes to the guidance were proposed by the Statutory Guidance Committee, which was formed as part of the Scottish Welfare Fund Review Action Plan. 

As a member of the committee, we were pleased to contribute towards:

• The introduction of the ‘Essentials Guarantee’ methodology for crisis grant calculations to ensure that they meet the need
• A move towards trust-based evidence gathering
• A stronger emphasis on the principles of dignity and respect
• A simpler way of assessing low income for eligibility
• An emphasis on learning from the outcomes of first tier reviews 

These changes will increase fairness for applicants, improve clarity for decision makers and promote learning and improvement.

Case summaries 

We changed several decisions this month as local authorities did not make sufficient enquiries to arrive at a robust decision. We found that the information provided by the applicant indicated that further enquiries should be made.

When applicants incur detriment sourcing items themselves

C applied for a community care grant to replace items in their property after their child vandalised their home. They applied for a double bed and mattress, a single bed and mattress, carpet for one bedroom, hall stairs and landing, a washing machine, a chest of drawers, a double bedding set, and redecoration costs.

The council declined the application because they could not verify the Police Scotland reference numbers that C supplied. Therefore, they assessed that C's circumstances did not match the qualifying criteria for a grant.

We reviewed the council's file and spoke with C. They did not know why the Police Scotland reference numbers were not recognised. However, they confirmed that the housing team were aware of the damage and had already carried out some repairs to the property. We spoke with C's housing officer and local neighbourhood team and were satisfied that the incident occurred as described. Therefore, we were satisfied that the application met the qualifying criteria related to exceptional pressure. 

Recommendations

• Award C a double bed, a single bed, a washing machine, carpet for one room, hall and stairs, a chest of drawers and redecoration costs. C had sourced some of the items themselves, so we agreed actual cost reimbursement for the beds. We assessed that two thirds of the flooring costs could be awarded, as flooring for an additional room was included on the flooring invoice. We also calculated an award of £130.00 in respect of redecorating costs and that the council should provide a washing machine

Feedback for the Council

• The council did not make sufficient follow-up enquiries based on the information provided on the application about the C’s circumstances.

We asked the organisation to provide us with confirmation that the award was made within one week.

Summary of the decision: In order for a regional health authority to charge a patient for failing to attend a healthcare appointment, the appointment must have been agreed. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that an invitation offering a reserved time for a COVID-19 vaccination does not constitute an agreed appointment, The health centre Närhälsan Slottskogen is criticised for stating in such an invitation that the patient will be invoiced should she or he fail to attend the appointment without cancelling it in advance. Furthermore, when there are no legal grounds for charging a fee, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman considers providing such information to be incompatible with the Instrument of Government’s requirement for objectivity.

La Adjunta de Igualdad de la Diputación del Común, Ana de León, asistió al acto de celebración la pasada noche del 19 de marzo, de la VI Edición de los Premios Más Mujer en el Teatro Leal de LaLaguna. Dichos galardones tienen por objetivo homenajear a las mujeres canarias que han destacado profesionalmente durante el año, así como a las empresas que hayan impulsado el papel de la mujer en el ámbito laboral.

Su promotora, la presidenta delaAsociación Más Mujer Canarias, Rita Calero agradeció la colaboración de la Diputación del Común de Canarias, entre otras instituciones participantes en la celebración.

On March 20, the development of Southeastern Estonia was discussed in the village of Lüllemäe, Valga County, by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, Secretary of State Keit Kasemets, President of the Bank of Estonia Madis Müller, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk, Director General of the Competition Authority Evelin Pärn-Lee, Head of the Foresight Centre Tea Danilov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Enterprise Estonia Erkki Raasuke, and CEO of Ragn-Sells AS Kai Realo.

The Chancellor of Justice also visited the bright and cheerful library of Lüllemäe.