Syria Grant Fund

APPLICATION FORM – March 2018 onwards

APPLICATION GUIDANCE

Application forms must be submitted by the organisation supporting the applicant with their resettlement;either through the Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Programme (VPR) or the Community Sponsorship Scheme. The main questions are directed at the applicant and must be completed by the applicant - which they can doindependently, or with support from their adviser.It is the adviser’s role to ensure that ALL FIELDSon the form areCOMPLETE before submission, and that the applicant understands the project guidelines.If you have any questions about what to include please contact Francesca Morton on 0114 321 6387

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to acknowledge receipt, however feel free to contact us if you would like to confirm we have received the form. We require ORIGINALsignaturesin order to assess applications, so any emailed forms cannot be processed without the original.

Individuals can apply for UP TO £500. This amount is not automatically given and requests must be clear, costed and reasonable. The panel has discretion to revise the amount awarded depending on the individual’s circumstances and the information provided on the form.

Individuals can only receive ONE grant for themselves and ONE grant on behalf of their children. People will not be able to apply again in the future, even if their total grant was less than £500.

Exceptions – The grant fund is not available to support with general integration needs such as paying bills, buying furniture and general clothing. The fund cannot cover costs for any electronic equipment such as mobile phones, laptops or televisions, and there are no exceptions to this. We cannot cover petrol costs nor taxi costs.

VPR Numbersare ESSENTIAL – this is the case number assigned to each family by the Home Office and sent to Local Authorities/organisations providing integration support on the VPR programme.

Bank Accounts – we can only pay an applicant into their own bank account, unless there are exceptional circumstances, (or of course if it is an application for a child). Please be very clear when hand-writing bank account numbers as payment cannot be guaranteed if details are incorrect.

Applications for Children –applications for minors must be in a PARENT/CARER’S NAME. We don’t however require background employment/education information about the parent for these applications. Please refer to the notes in each section for advice on what questions to complete.

Section 4 Details of Grant Request – we ALWAYS require SPECIFIC information about the grant request, including WHATsomeone would like a grant for, the EXACT AMOUNT each item costs, and WHEREit will be bought/sourced. It is not enough to say ‘driving lessons’, or ‘travel to ESOL’. Any applications which do not have enough detail cannot be accepted for assessment and may be rejected.

Section 4 Supporting Information – we ALWAYS require SPECIFIC details for the item requested, i.e. link to a course, College, driving school details, name of the language school for 1:1 ESOL, name of the school the children attend etc.

Driving

  • Driving costs can only be awarded if it is DIRECTLY related to finding work in the SHORT-TERM, and cannot be awarded for attending English classes or appointments.
  • We cannot cover driving costs if this is to look for work in the future, only if driving will significantly increase someone’s chances of finding work in the short-term.
  • Driving costs can only be considered if the applicant is able to work (health-wise, caring responsibilities), and if they are actively looking for work.
  • Please note we need information as to WHY and HOW learning to drive will support the applicant and their search for employment, i.e. living in rural location, access to job opportunities, previous experience as a driver, aim to work as a driver etc.
  • We require RECEIPTS for driving related costs, to be posted or emailed to Francesca Morton within 3 months of receiving a grant.

1:1 ESOL – we will consider circumstances which make it difficult for an individual to attend ESOL classes, i.e. mobility or childcare, or if the individual is making little progress due to the availability of classes. In ALL instances tutors must be qualified ESOL or English language tutors and registered either as a self-employed tutor or with a language school/similar.Full details need to be provided.We requireRECEIPTS for 1:1 ESOL lessons, to be posted or emailed to Francesca Morton within 3 months of receiving a grant.

Maximum Grant Amount – we can only consider applications over £500 in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances, i.e. someone has a job offer and needs some equipment to take it up, or professional requalification exams. Please contact us if you would like to discuss a particular case.

School Uniforms – We can only awarditems ESSENTIAL for attending school, and the number of items and amounts awarded are limited (the same for everyone to ensure fairness), i.e. 1 blazer, 2 shirts, 1 pair of school shoes. We cannot cover general clothing items such as pyjamas, underwear, hats and scarves etc. For children, we can also support bus travel to school, private tuition and some extra-curricular activities – please contact Francesca Morton if you would like to discuss circumstances. Please note that parents can make ONE application on behalf of ALL children, so £500 in total, not £500 per child.

Clothing – we can only cover costs for specific clothing required for a work opportunity or job, i.e. work placement or attending interviews, and only if someone is actively looking for work. We cannot award grants for general clothing, or clothing to attend ESOL classes.

Urgent Applications–please be aware of the timeframe for decisions. If you feel an application is urgent, please contact us to discuss this. We will assess the circumstances and do our best to accommodate requests in line with demand, however no guarantees can be made.

Joint Applications – applications can be made in joint names if both applicants are entering the same venture/request i.e. home ESOL tuition, joint business. Each applicant must answer the application questions in their own name, as each individual is assessed in their own right.If a couple is applying for different items, they need to submit separate applications.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST BEFORE RETURNING BY POST

  1. Have ALL SECTIONS of the form been completed?
  2. Is thereENOUGH INFORMATION for the panel to make an assessment and VERIFY the request, e.g. driving school, name of shop?
  3. Are thecontact and bank details writtenCLEARLY?
  4. Is there a clear LIST of items requested, the AMOUNT they costand WHERE the applicant will buy/source the item? Applicants need to consider this and do research BEFORE applying.
  5. Have BOTH the adviser and applicant SIGNED AND DATED the form? Including the name of the VPR provider/Community Sponsor.
  6. Have you informed the applicant that we will AIM to be in touch IN TWO MONTHSfrom receiving a completed application form? Please note, if information is missing, applications will be delayed and may not be accepted for assessment.

Please send the ORIGINAL form to us by post and we will be in touch in due course.

Section 1: VPR Organisation/Community Sponsor Details
Name of VPR organisation/Community Sponsor submitting applicationon behalf of applicant
Local Authority
Nameand job title of person submitting application
Phone and emailcontact of person submitting application
Section 2: Applicant’s Details – for themselves or on behalf of children. If joint application, include both names here.
VPR number – VERY IMPORTANT - this is the case number given to the family by the Home Office (usually 3 or 4 digits)
Full name of applicant: / If joint application, full name of applicant 2:
Email address of applicant(s)(if applicable): / Gender(s):
Contact number of applicant(s) (optional) / Age of applicant(s):
Age of children:
Home address of applicant(s):
Date of application: / Office Use Only - Date received:
Further info required? Yes No
Level of English of applicant(s)– please indicate (approx. if not known)
pre-entry entry 1 entry 2 entry 3 level 1 level 2 advanced
Section 3: Applicant’s Bank Details - to be completed by the individual applying for the grant
If your application is successful, the grant will be paid into your bank account. This information will be stored securely and confidentially on Refugee Council’s systems and will only be used for the purpose of this grant.
Name of bank or building society: ______
Account holder name: ______applicant account ONLY, unless for children
Account number: ______if joint application, money will be paid into 1 account
Sort code: ______
Financial Authorisation – Office Use Only Amount: ______Budget Code: 4-741-138-305-34505
Authorisedby: ______Second Authorisation: ______
Date: ______Date: ______
Section 4: Details of Grant Request - to be completed by the individual applying for the grant
PLEASE REFER TO THE GUIDANCE NOTES AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS FORM
Please indicate the area(s) within which you are applying for support:
English advancement Employment Education Training
WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED? Please note £500 will not automatically be awarded, only items that are costed and detailed will be considered.
DO YOU CONSIDER THIS REQUEST URGENT (FOR AN OPPORTUNITY WITHIN 3 WEEKS ONLY)? Please tick
Please contact us to highlight this as applications are not always read through immediately.
Yes No
WHY DO YOU NEED THIS GRANT AND WHAT WILL IT BE USED FOR?
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE AND LIST SPECIFIC ITEMS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU PROVIDE A FULL BREAKDOWN OF COSTS, LISTING EACH ITEM AND WHERE YOU WILL BUY IT, E.G. INTERVIEW SHIRT, £24.99, PRIMARK.
IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INCLUDED, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT AND APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED.
HOW WILL THIS GRANT HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR EMPLOYABILITY, FOR NOW OR THE FUTURE?
If applying for yourself (not children) – Do you feel this grant will help you to move into work?
Yes, immediately Within 6 months Within 12 months In the future No
Section 4: Details of Grant Request – continued
How else will this grant help you and your family, over the short and long term?
Supporting Information e.g. 1:1 ESOL tutor details, course department, driving instructor companyor childcare provider details. Please note that childcare providers must be OFSTED/Care Inspectorate registered and 1:1 English tutors must be qualified ESOL/language teachers.
Section 5: Background Information - to be completed by the individual applying for the grant
IF APPLYING ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION.
IF MAKING A JOINT APPLICATION, PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION FOR BOTH APPLICANTS, AND WRITE NAMES, E.G. MAHMOUD – I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO WORKING AS A BARBER. FATIMA – I WOULD LIKE TO WORK AS A HAIRDRESSER IN THE FUTURE.
What are your employment/education aspirations?
If you are looking for work, what do you feel is preventing you from moving into work?
Did you work in your home country? If so, what doing? Please include any family responsibilities, community work etc.
Have you done any work in the UK? Please include any voluntary work.
Did you have any education your home country? Please give details.
Have you had any education in the UK, including ESOL classes?Please give details, e.g. level of ESOL, where and how many hours you attend per week?
Section 6: Contact - to be completed by the individual applying for the grant
There may be questions we need to ask in order to process the application. Would you like us to contact you by phone or would you like us to contact the supporting organisation (as detailed on this form)? Please tick.
Contact me direct Contact the supporting organisation
Section 7: Declaration and Consent - to be completed by the individual applying for the grant
I confirm that the grant applied for is for the purpose stated, and the money will be spent as agreed. I understand that Refugee Council may contact me to obtain receipts of expenditure up to 3 months following payment of a grant.
I give consent for my information to be used by the Refugee Council in order to apply for a grant through the Syria Grant Fund. Information will be stored securely and confidentially on their systems and will be used for monitoring and evaluation only. Names and contact details will not be used in monitoring documents or reports, unless explicit consent is obtained.
Please tick either:I give consent to be contacted by letter email phone by the Refugee Council as part of their monitoring process, at 1 month 6 months and 12 months following receipt of a grant.
Or: I do not give consent to be contacted by letter email phone by the Refugee Council as part of their monitoring process, at 1 month 6 months and 12 months following receipt of a grant.
Full name: ______(applicant/applicant on behalf of children)
Full name of second applicant: (if joint application) ______
Signature 1: ______Date: ______
Signature 2: (if joint application) ______Date: ______
Section 8: Declaration –to be completed by the supporting organisation
I ______(full name) confirm that the above individual is currently being supported/was previously supported (delete as appropriate) by ______(VPR organisation/Community Sponsor) as part of the Syria Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme/Community Sponsorship Scheme(delete as appropriate).
The items for which a grant has been requested relate to their search for employment, education or English advancement. I believe the request to be realistic and achievable,and in line with their employment or education plan.
Full name: ______
Signature: ______Date: ______

Please return the ORIGINALform by post to:

Francesca Morton, Refugee Council, Exchange Brewery, 2 Bridge Street, Sheffield, S3 8NS

PLEASE ENSURE BOTH THE APPLICANT AND ADVISER HAS SIGNED THE FORM

For the Applicant:

Once the Refugee Council receives your completed application, we will AIM to make a decision within 2 MONTHS.This may be delayed if information is missing. Applications are assessed by an independent and impartial panel, separate from your adviser. Applications will be assessed using the eligibility criteria to determine whether a grant application is successful. Decisions made by the assessment panel are final. Both you and your supporting organisation will receive a letter to confirm the outcome, and if approved, we will then make the payment into your bank account. Please note that we cannot pay third parties – organisations or individuals.

WE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH A SELECTION OF APPLICANTS TO REQUEST RECEIPTS/EVIDENCE OF EXPENDITURE, SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS SAFE FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER PAYMENT. FOR DRIVING COSTS AND 1:1 TUITION, WE ALWAYS REQUIRE RECEIPTS POSTING OR EMAILING TO US WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF A GRANT PAYMENT.

If you have consented to be contacted as part of our monitoring and evaluation process, we will be in touch via one of your preferred methods as stated in this form. All evaluation forms are in both English and Arabic and will include a stamped addressed envelope to return. Thank you for your cooperation.

Any questions on this form or the Syria Grant Fund in general, please contact:

Francesca Morton, Grants Coordinator

Office: 0114 321 6387Email:

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO USE DISCRETION WHEN APPROVING GRANTS; IN LINE WITH THE SYRIA GRANT FUND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

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