Scottish Welfare Fund: statutory guidance June 2018

Annex D

Scottish Welfare Fund

Templates For Recording Decisions

a) Template for Recording a Scottish Welfare Fund Decision

Decision makers should clearly document the reasons for their decisions. This includes how they have used or evaluated the evidence to decide on the eligibility and priority of the application. The Scottish Welfare Fund is a discretionary scheme. Decision makers do not have to follow the guidance but should document their reasons as part of their normal recording if they decide to depart from it, in case a review is requested and to satisfy audit requirements.

Decision makers should make sure that they:

• have considered the Scottish Welfare Fund guidance and any local policies relating to it
• have followed any local processes relating to the processing of applications, for example in notifying the applicant of the outcome of an application
• base their decisions on accurate and up to date information
• have taken all the relevant information in to account and have not taken any irrelevant information in to account
• seek information to fill any gaps in evidence and record information gathered
• give the applicant an opportunity to make their case
• have properly used their discretion to consider the case rather than following guidance or policy in an unquestioning way
• make a reasonable and fair decision, based on all the facts of the case, in keeping with the laws of natural justice
• keep an open mind and focus on the need identified by the applicant and the overall objectives of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

It is recognised that for the most part such record of decisions reached will be recorded on supporting IT systems in place.