Version: 3.1
Last Amended: 31 March 2024
Next Review: 31 March 2025
This policy is relevant for Group 2 ILF Scotland recipients and is not intended for Group 1 recipients.
To remain eligible to receive ILF Scotland funding, a Health and Social Care Partnership in Scotland (HSCP) or a Social Care Trust (HSCT) in Northern Ireland must be providing services or funding to a value at least equal to a relevant “Threshold Sum”.
There are four different Threshold Sums:
These Sums will apply on an ongoing basis and will not reduce.
The HSPC / HSCT must meet a minimum of the relevant Threshold Sum per week averaged over the year.
The average weekly cost of the HSPC / HSCT package, less any weekly charges applied by the HSPC / HSCT, will determine whether the relevant Threshold Sum is being met.
If the HSPC / HSCT increases charges, the relevant Threshold Sum reduces by the corresponding amount. The relevant Threshold Sum must still be maintained to continue to meet the Eligibility Criteria for an ILF Award.
An HSPC / HSCT can award funding above the relevant Threshold Sum and such funding is not restricted to the purposes set out in Policy 41 - Use of ILF Scotland Funding.
To form part of the relevant Threshold Sum, the HSPC / HSCT must provide services directly to the recipient. In some circumstances, these services may also provide some degree of respite to a recipient’s unpaid carer.
ILF Scotland does not normally provide funding that has previously been the responsibility of the HSPC / HSCT.
Increases to awards are available only in line with Policy 18 - Increases in ILF Scotland Awards and Policy 36 - Short Term Care.
To remain eligible for ILF Scotland funding, recipients must spend their HSCP / HSCT funding to at least the amount of the relevant Threshold Sum as outlined in Policy 41 - Use of ILF Scotland Funding.
Where an HSCP / HSCT reduces its input to a support package, ILF Scotland will not usually replace this and will not consider any increase in award until the HSCP / HSCT restores its input to previous levels.
If a HSCP / HSCT reduces its funding below the relevant Threshold sum, the recipient will no longer be eligible for ILF Scotland funding.
In circumstances where a recipient’s care / support arrangements alter significantly, ILF Scotland will consider the changes to the HSCP / HSCT and ILF Scotland provisions on an individual basis. Any increase to the current offer is subject to the terms outlined in Policy 18 - Increases in ILF Scotland Awards.
Where a recipient moves from one HSCP / HSCT to another, the recipient will remain eligible providing the new HSPC / HSCT maintains the existing relevant Threshold Sum. If the new HSCP / HSCT reassesses the support and reduces the value of its input, the funding must remain at least equal to the relevant Threshold Sum. In this circumstance, and providing the reduction takes place at the first local authority care needs assessment following the move, ILF Scotland can consider increases in support needs without requiring the HSCP / HSCT to reinstate the previous level of support.
Very occasionally funding is provided by two HSCPs / HSCTs. The funding from both may be aggregated to meet the relevant Threshold Sum. Such cases are very unusual and may need to be referred to ILF Scotland’s senior management team.
Where a recipient moves from children’s services to adult services, ILF Scotland will not expect the HSCP / HSCT to maintain its input at the previous level, providing the adult care department makes the change at the first care needs assessment following the move. The HSCP / HSCT must meet the relevant Threshold Sum.
On the rare occasion that a fund recipient is subject to a CTO under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the relevant Threshold Sum must be maintained for the ILF award to remain in payment. However, costs associated with implementation of the CTO care plan can be treated by ILF Scotland, at its sole discretion, for Threshold Sum purposes. An ILF Scotland award can remain in payment in these circumstances if ILF Scotland is satisfied that this will be to the benefit of the recipient and is supported by the recipient’s MHO.
If a recipient experiences financial hardship, ILF Scotland can review any Available Income contribution and waive this in part or in full without additional HSCP / HSCT input. Please refer to Policy 4 - Recipient Contribution for more information.
There is no formal requirement for the HSCP / HSCT to fund support for Group 1 recipients but where the HSCP / HSCT does provide funds and reduces its provision, ILF Scotland will accept this. ILF Scotland expects the HSCP / HSCT to resume at the original level before it would consider any increase in line with Policy 18 - Increases in ILF Scotland Awards, unless the HSCP / HSCT gives a suitable explanation for the reduction.
1 July 2015
7 October 2015
30 March 2019
31 March 2023
31 March 2024
Policy 4 - Recipient Contribution
Policy 18 – Increases in ILF Scotland Awards
Policy 36 – Short Term Care
Policy 41 – Use of ILF Scotland Funding
