Classifying the priority of an ELF Grant
When deciding whether to award an ELF grant consideration must be given to the level of priority of the award. Each ELF grant should broadly fall into high, medium or low priority.
The general circumstances of the applicant and/or their family, urgency of the need and relevance under the guidance should be looked at.
High priority
It will normally be appropriate to give high priority to a need if:
- an award for the item requested will have a substantial and immediate effect in resolving or improving the circumstances of the applicant and in meeting the aims of the prime objective they have qualified under
Medium priority
It will normally be appropriate to give medium priority to a need if:
- an award for the item requested will have a noticeable effect, although not substantial and immediate, in resolving or improving the circumstances of the applicant and in meeting the aims of the prime objective they have qualified under
Low priority
It will normally be appropriate to give low priority to a need if:
- an award for the item requested will have a minor effect in resolving or improving the circumstances of the applicant and in meeting the aims of the prime objective they have qualified under
Circumstances that may affect priority
These may include:
- a persons ability to cope with independent living may be particularly difficult because of restricted mobility, learning difficulties, mental health problems, physical disability or mental or chronic physical illness
- experiences of physical or emotional abuse or neglect may leave someone especially vulnerable and lacking in confidence, for example young people who have grown up in dysfunctional families or in the care system
- returning to the community after a long period of residential or institutional care may leave someone very insecure and vulnerable, especially if they are setting up a new home on their own
- a long period of sleeping rough may leave someone with little or no concept on how to live in a settled way or cope with problems of budgeting on a low income
- unstable family circumstances may put the well being of children at risk and increase the chances that they may have to be taken info care, for example relationships within the family are at breaking point
- behavioural problems often associated with drug or alcohol abuse, are likely to add to the difficulties of a vulnerable person trying to live independently and increase the need for a stable environment
Examples of areas the Decision Maker should give a higher priority
These include:
- applications for discharged prisoners should be treated with particular urgency and sensitivity, bearing in mind the additional pressures and risks that prisoners face returning to the community
- young people who have been in care and are unable to live with their parents because circumstance render it impossible for them to be reunited with their parents
- vulnerable homeless or recently homeless people, for example young people, rough sleepers and people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse related medical problems, if there is danger that they may otherwise go into institutional or residential care. Also families in temporary accommodation.
- a new type of expense that has arisen as a direct result of special circumstances, particularly if they were unforeseeable. For example a parent/carer with young children needs household items following the violent breakdown of a relationship or sudden deterioration on the condition of a disabled child justifies an award for a washing machine
- cases where there has been domestic violence and the ELFG will help protect the applicant and/or any children from risk
- the threat of being taken into care is immediate or imminent and the EFLG will help them remain in the Community
This list is not exhaustive.