Recognition and Payment Policies

Concern about how payments may affect benefits can be a barrier for both teaching institutions and people who could contribute to teaching. Institutions will vary in the flexibility they can exercise over payment methods. Individuals for their part will also differ in their wishes, depending on their circumstances. However it is important that recognition and payment should be offered for a contribution to teaching and learning.

What the Experts Say

“The whole reason is to make services better for people”.
“I would want payment if I’m up there sharing my life and all the things that have happened.”

—Service Users, West of Scotland

Findings from Local Research

All participants expected that travel expenses would be given to service users and carers but there was no agreement on whether there should be payment or how much this should be. Payment is not the main motivation for people who use services and family carers getting involved in social work education, but some feel it only right that their contribution should be recognised in this way.

Top Tip: Institutions should check their policies with their local Jobcentre Plus office.

They have a responsibility to follow the law, as does the contributor.

Top Tips for people who use services:

• Get good benefits advice
• Make use of others sources of advice such as CABs and Welfare Rights Officers
• Be honest about your situation because you could be breaking the law

Messages from Wider Research

A policy should be developed to cover payment and employment, expenses and other forms of recognition. It will cross-reference other policies such as volunteering and personal and professional development. The policy should specify:

• Allowable expenses
• The tasks for which payment will be made
• The rate
• Possible payment methods

Payments:

• The contributor should always get a benefits check
• Be aware that vouchers still count as income
• Creating teaching posts for people with specific experience to offer might be a way of employing someone in a more permanent way
• A social firm is one way in which people who use services might be able to be employed to offer their services as trainers and consultants. Social firms are commercial businesses that provide employment opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market

Expenses:

• Some people may need an advance for travel including taxi fares or to have tickets sent in advance
• Reimbursement of travel and other expenses, such as subsistence, may be required on the day in cash
• Other expenses that people may incur include payment for extra hours to a personal assistant for themselves or the person they care for, postage and telephone costs
• Make expense forms accessible and/or provide support to complete these

Other Forms of Recognition:

• Always thank the contributor
• Offer feedback
• Share course evaluations with those who have contributed to the course
• Consider offering personal development opportunities for those involved
• Offer information and advice on the individual’s own lifelong learning needs
• Enable participants to use their experiences in CVs and future job applications
• Ensure the person has information about the course and their contribution to include in their portfolio
• Provide contributors with the opportunity to use university or college facilities such as the library or gym
• Look at ways to develop accreditation for the training received by service users and carers

Good Practice Examples

Glasgow School of Social Work has developed a user-friendly expense form and provides administrative support to help with completing forms.

Learning and Development at Glasgow City Council has developed a strategy for expenses and support for service users and carers involved in staff training.

Action

It is important that the teaching or training institution has a clear policy on payment of expenses and fees and that they have checked that their arrangements comply with benefit and tax regulations. It may be useful to identify a person who can lead on this.

Further Information

Department of Health (2006) Reward and Recognition. The principles and practice of service user payment and reimbursement in health and social care: A guide for service providers, service users and carers. 2nd edition.

What are we worth? Workshop report. SCLD, IRISS, SSS Learning Network, Scottish Voices (2008)

For Social Firms