Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill Consultation Event 21 November 2013.
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Transcript of Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill Consultation Event 21 November 2013.
Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill
Consultation Event 21 November 2013
Starting Point…• Plans for Social Fund reform announced –
UC White Paper Dec 2010• Spend in Scotland on Community Care
Grants and Crisis Loans transferred to SG• Real terms reductions in spend plus
complexities of welfare reform• Consultation – Autumn 2011 – what and
how to deliver• High expectations vs. short timescale
Developing the Scottish Welfare Fund
Addresses similar needs to previous provision
What’s the difference?
►No loans ►Grants and goods►Local delivery by
LG but national guidance
►Linking to other support – it’s holistic
Scottish Welfare Fund – Two Purposes
provide a safety net in an emergency when there is an immediate threat to health or safety
Crisis Grant
enable independent living or continued independent living, reducing the need for institutional care
provide support to families under exceptional pressure
Community Care Grant
To offer grants or in kind support in order to:
Monitoring and Evaluation
To inform permanent arrangements and improve decision making/promote consistency:• Quantitative - Detailed data spec to IT providers
– quarterly upload. (Variable quality).• Quarterly qualitative feedback and meetings with
LAs.• Case sampling and LA visits.• Information from complaints and reviews.• Independent evaluation including user
interviews.
Early Experiences• 32 Local Authorities providing a service from
day 1 - predominantly based in revs and bens.• Problems with IT, online application added
later, reporting modules absent, workarounds.• Issues with DWP/related welfare benefits –
Short Term Benefit Advance, benefit transition.• Developing and refining service/fulfilment
options, building local networks.• Building case experience and refining decision
making skills.
Spend Levels
• High initial demand predicted did not materialise.
• Spend levels low in first few months – multiple reasons.
• Revised guidance.• Promotional activity under way.• Exceeding monthly profile in October.• Still early days…
Added Value
• Service embedded with others – connections to support workers – e.g. homelessness, welfare rights, debt advice.
• Connections to local support – LA and third sector.
• Better value for money – economies of scale on goods, furniture re-use, reclaiming VAT.
• Reduced speculative applications – goods, local knowledge, home visits, support workers.
Challenges
• National framework but local delivery – achieving consistency in decision making but fostering local responses.
• Understanding what is happening in a complex system.
• Links with DWP – information sharing, changes to benefits, avoiding applicant “ping pong”.
Timetable• Consult on legislation and plans for second tier
review – to 7 February 2014.• Finalise policy, develop regulations, plans for
review and update the draft bill.• Introduce legislation – June 2014.• Make draft regs available for comment –
Summer 2014.• Lay regs – when Royal Assent received for
Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill.• Permanent scheme in operation – Spring 2015.
Guidance, how to apply, LA contact details, briefing notes etc all at:
http://www.scotland.scottishwelfarefund.gov.uk
Questions?