Scottish Welfare Fund: statutory guidance – March 2021
An update to the Scottish Welfare Fund statutory guidance, previously published in May 2019, to correct any inaccuracies or anachronisms which have occurred since the previous publication. This guidance was updated in April 2024 to remove two sections ‘Family Reunion Crisis Grant’ and ‘Covid-19 Self-Isolation Support Grants’.
Annex D Templates For Recording Decisions
a) Template for Recording a Scottish Welfare Fund Decision
Name: Case Number:
Grant Applied For: Application Date:
Name of the Officer who made the decision:
Date of decision:
| Summary of application | |
| Summary of key facts taken in to account in making the decision | |
| Any information gathered that was actively disregarded | |
| How has applicant been given the opportunity to put their case? | |
| Any other support offered to or received by the applicant as a result of their application. | |
| Any other relevant information | |
| Decision made by the decision maker | Eligibility Qualifying Criteria Priority |
| Reasons for this decision, how the evidence has been weighed. |
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.
Contact
Email: swfqueries@gov.scot
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