Introduction
The Section 10 Adult Community Care Grant Scheme aims to assist voluntary organisations in developing social care services and promoting social welfare in Scotland. The priorities for the 2008-09 funding round are for organisations that promote or provide:
- person-centred community care services for people in need, and for their families/carers;
- collaboration and joint working amongst agencies and organisations to improve service delivery;
- good mental health and well being (including early intervention and supported recovery, and particular attention on dementia);
- help and support so that people can live independently in the community and improve quality of life;
- respite care and other support for carers, including young carers;
- participation of users and carers in care management as well as in the planning, development and delivery of services;
- advice, advocacy, counselling and information services.
The Scottish Government takes the view that voluntary organisations should not become over-dependent on public funds and should preserve their independence and freedom of action as far as possible. It is important that organisations seek alternative sources of assistance for their work and limit the amount and, wherever possible, the duration of any grant under Section 10. Where organisations have the ability to finance their activities from other sources, either partially or wholly, the expectation is that they will do so unless there are strong reasons otherwise.
Project Funding
Project grants may be provided for:
National projects designed by voluntary organisations which test an innovatory idea of wider significance or which help to develop a particular pattern of service.
Local projects which are innovatory and of potential national significance. Only on an exceptional basis will funding be made available for local service delivery organisations. Public sector funding for local bodies would be expected to come from other agencies, such as local authorities, NHS boards, local enterprise bodies and some non-departmental public bodies.
Project grants are normally provided for a maximum period of 3 years and are not renewable. It is therefore important to consider the longer term funding sustainability of any projects before approving funding. Project grants are not available for existing projects whose funding from other sources has or will come to an end.
Core Funding
Core grants may be made to assist with the central administrative and other costs of national bodies whose activities constitute or include:
- Providing community care services direct to client groups;
- Developing or sustaining the provision of such services by other organisations;
- Representing voluntary sector concerns;
- Representing the interest of persons in need of social work services;
- Promoting or sustaining general welfare objectives; and
- Promoting voluntary social work activity and volunteering.
Funding is normally provided for a 3-year period, subject to satisfactory performance during this period and compliance with conditions of grant. Core grant may be renewed if an organisation has operated effectively during the preceding grant period; is continuing to contribute to the achievement of the Government's priorities; and if its financial position still warrants payment of the grant.
Capital Grant
Grants for capital expenditure, when available, will be considered only where buildings or equipment are essential to the effective operation of an organisation or project and no other funding option appears to be available.
Further information on the Section 10 grant scheme for adult community care is available from: John Stirling, Primary & Community Care Directorate|Community Care Division, 2ER St Andrew's House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG (Tel: 0131 244 3742 e-mail: John.Stirling@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).
Information on other Scottish Government grants can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/15300/funding/grantsguideapr2007