Earlier this year, we invited third sector organisations to share their views on the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) review process. We wanted to better understand why fewer applicants are requesting independent reviews and to explore any barriers that might be affecting access.
We were pleased to receive a high response rate, with organisations providing rich and thoughtful feedback. Many shared valuable insights into the wider delivery of the SWF, including issues around awareness, confidence, access, and support for applicants.
Feedback about our review service
While some respondents raised concerns about aspects of the process, others highlighted positive experiences and the value of independent review. We are using what we have learned to inform improvements across our wider workstreams, including:
- Making our decision letters clearer and easier to understand
- Continuing to reduce review timescales where possible
- Strengthening our engagement with support organisations
- Sharing feedback on the wider delivery of SWF with the Scottish Government to support improvements. This aligns with our existing work on the Scottish Welfare Fund Review Action Plan.
We are grateful to all the organisations who took the time to contribute. Their input is helping us ensure the review process is accessible, fair, and responsive to the needs of applicants.