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Welcome to the Independent Review Service
for the Social Fund website.

Our site is aimed at those who have an interest in the Social Fund and its review process. It has a wide range of information that will help frontline decision makers, representatives, advisers and customers.

Please click here if you have any comments about your Social Fund experience.

Important Changes To The Discretionary Social Fund Scheme

There have been a number of significant changes to the discretionary Social Fund, particularly to the crisis loan scheme and to considerations for repeat applications. We are currently in the process of reviewing and updating the Commissioner's Advice to Inspectors generally and in these areas specifically. In the meantime, our recent Journal - Issue 40 Summer 2011 - covers the changes to the crisis loan scheme and includes some case examples to illustrate the impact of those changes. In the What's New section on this website you will also find short articles on these and other recent changes.

Summer 2011 Journal

Our latest Journal magazine is free to download: just click the link here: Journal 40

The latest edition of the Journal focuses on changes to the Crisis Loan scheme. The articles are complemented with case examples in our "Digest of Decisions". We hope that you find the Journal is a great way of accessing news and information about the Social Fund.

For efficiency and environmental reasons, the Journal is solely available in an electronic format. We can notify you whenever future Journals are published. If you are interested in this service, and are not already on our mailing list, please send your details to info@irs-review.org.uk.

If you would like to read previous editions of the Journal then please go to our publications and leaflets page on this site.

Social Fund Stakeholder meetings - Upcoming dates:

We offer occasional meetings with our stakeholders, hosted by the Social Fund Commissioner and IRS senior managers. These theatre-style meetings are aimed at professionals in the welfare rights community who have a vested interest in how the Social Fund is working to meet their client's needs.

These meetings are an opportunity to give us feedback on the scheme and the service that the IRS provides. It also gives delegates the chance to exchange information and ideas with fellow professionals. The IRS provides up to date knowledge on changes to Social Fund law and current issues affecting casework. Upcoming dates follow:

Cardiff 16th November 2011
Sunderland 14th March 2012

There are up to 150 spaces at each meeting. We can generally offer up to 3 places per organisation. For more information please contact the Independent Review Service Business Team:

: by email at info@irs-review.org.uk
: or by telephoning Business Team on 0121 606 2222

What's new

What's New Link to Whats New Page

Publications

Leaflets Link to Publications and Leaflets Page
Changes To The IRS Review Leaflet June 2011

Changes to Rules about Repeat Applications

Important changes to Crisis Loans from 4th April 2011

Social Fund reform
Read here about the Commissioners responses to proposed reforms to the existing scheme.
Social Fund Commissioner's Annual Report
The latest report on the output and progress of the IRS during the previous year

Social Fund IRS Self Instruction Pack
Our latest training material entitled "A basic overview" is ideal for those new to the Social Fund who want to learn at their own pace.
 
IRS, 4th Floor Centre City Podium. 5 Hill Street. Birmingham B5 4UB
  Phone: 0800 096 1926
eMail: sfc@irs-review.org.uk  Minicom: 0800 096 1929
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