We recognise that there are circumstances where members of The Scout Association (TSA) may be unable to meet the financial commitments for key Scouting events, but their participation would be both deserving and of significant benefit. This policy outlines the framework for handling cases of financial hardship. Hardship cases are always considered on a case-by-case basis, and only where sufficient funds are available.
Implementation
The hardship fund will support individual and family members in ‘financial hardship’, something which can be a difficult subject to discuss with young people, parents/guardians/carers and leaders.
When a young person’s parents, guardians or carers approach the relevant Section leaders, the Section Leader should enter discussions within the constraints of this policy. The Leader(s) may ask the Group Scout Leader (GSL), Group Chairman (GC), or Treasurer to participate.
A section grant is also available so a leader can offset the cost for some activities they feel are in danger of being exclusive due to cost. Young people and adults who are carers or are considered ‘looked after children’ (in care) would also be eligible.
The total amount available for support (the Hardship Fund) in a given calendar year is set at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Group Executive Committee will not routinely allocate support beyond this total.
Any request for further support must be agreed by the Group Executive Committee.
Final approval requires the agreement of the Group Executive Committee.
The primary consideration must always be the young person: if they are keen and active members then we should be doing everything we can to enable them to participate.
Commitment to Scouting
The applicant should show a regular commitment to the Group, commensurate with the subsidy requested. The following is a minimum:
- Membership of the Association
- 6 months of regular attendance confirmed by their relevant Section Leader
Financial situation
The Group normally uses the financial acceptance criteria employed by Cambridge County Education Authority for free school meals. This provides an independent, known benchmark as a guideline that can help make the best judgement of ‘financial hardship’.
The criteria at the time of writing include:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit – but no element of Working Tax Credit – and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)) that does not exceed £16,190
- If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work less hours per week
- Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (as from 1 April 2018)
- The grants are usually provided on a matched funding basis (i.e. the recipient must usually make a financial contribution alongside the group’s grant). In special circumstances, grants may be made without matching funding.
Payment options
This would be directly from the Group funds to the camp/event treasury and preferably by bank transfer.
Loans / delayed payments should be avoided as they are hard to enforce.
Subscriptions
In cases of hardship, subscriptions may be reduced at a rate agreed by the Group Executive Committee.
Uniform
Support may be provided for members in financial hardship to purchase uniform. Used items of uniform may also be offered subject to availability.
Confidentiality
Information relating to individual hardship cases is often highly personal and is treated as strictly confidential. Any record of discussion of a hardship case at Group Executive Committee will be reported in Confidential Minutes, separate to the normal minutes.
Policy Revision
This is v1.0 of the Hardship Policy and was adopted at a meeting of the Group Executive on 22 Apr 2021.
Application
Please complete the initial request form below or discuss with any Section Leader of the Group Scout Leader.