Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund: form and guidance

Eligibility

Who can apply

The scheme is open to:

• voluntary organisations
• registered charities
• social enterprises
• community interest companies that continue to meet the Regulator of Community Interest Companies’ community interest test and asset lock provisions

Organisational requirements

Your organisation must also:

• currently work in the independent advocacy sector in Scotland (see background section for the definition of independent advocacy used for this fund)

• have a registered office in the UK with an official operating base in Scotland
• operate on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of the community
• be solvent and hold a UK bank account
• have an independent governing body such as a board or committee
• have annual accounts that have been approved by the committee or board
• meet the two mandatory Fair Work First requirements (see background section)
• be able to demonstrate clear and regular budgetary monitoring processes, including processes for when there are variances between actual and budgeted expenditure
• have robust internal controls in place to safeguard expenditure
• be able to evidence clear formal policies and processes in relation to fraud, bribery and corruption
• have control over all income and expenditure

Project requirements

In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that your project:

• will use collective, peer or citizen independent advocacy to support people in Scotland who access, or need to access social care services, or their unpaid carers
• will focus on those who are not entitled to independent advocacy support through other statutory provision such as (but not limited to) that provided in relation to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Scotland Act 2003 or the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards (the MAT Standards)

• is new and is not part of a wider project funded from elsewhere (this does not exclude projects that link to, but are separate from, existing projects)
• will be completed by 31 March 2027, and within budget (maximum £50,000)

You must also commit to attend a consultative session on monitoring and evaluation ahead of the start of project funding, if you are successful. This will support the creation of a suitable monitoring and evaluation framework for the fund.

Legal requirements

Proposals are invited on the basis that successful applicants will comply with all necessary obligations and legal requirements and the conditions contained in the offer of grant.

All projects will need to comply with all relevant legislation relating to the implementation of projects, including:

• Data Protection
• Freedom of Information
• Environmental Information Regulations

Applicants should be aware that the Scottish Government is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, and current Data Protection laws.

All organisations submitting an application must satisfy themselves that they are compliant with relevant equalities legislation (as part of the Equality Act 2010). Further information can be obtained from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

Finally, all projects will be expected to submit:

• a mid-year progress report
• a final report which will be publicly accessible
• quarterly claims in line with the funding award

Meeting all the requirements

If your organisation or project does not meet the above conditions, then we cannot consider an application from you.