The finance service is an integrated service consisting of staff from Children's Services and Corporate Finance. It is made up of three teams dealing with Awards and Administration, Schools Support and Technical Services. 

The Awards and Administration team deal with aspects relating to further and higher education student support, the administration of free school meals and various elements of internal finance.

The team administer a number of awards/benefits that are available to residents of the Sunderland area.

For further information with regard to any one of the following please follow the relevant link or contact: -

Free School Meals (details) ( 21kb) or to download a Free School Meals application form ( 41kb)	0191 553 1417
Further Education Student Support ( 20kb)	0191 553 1480
Post 16 Transport Policy ( 129kb)	0191 553 1480
Higher Education Student Support ( 21kb)	0191 553 1415/6 (HESupport@edcom.sunderland.gov.uk)

The Schools Support team are responsible for the strategic issues in relation to Fair Funding, the Scheme of Delegation for schools and the maintenance and review of the formula for funding schools. Schools Liaison Officers and support staff are part of the team and assist schools in planning and monitoring of school budget along with other associated tasks such as bank account reconciliation.

The Technical Services team primarily support the service in statutory duties in relation to revenue and capital budget preparation and monitoring, government and other returns and grant claims. The team produce the year end accounts including school statements. Staff in this team offer a parallel liaison officer service to Children's Services.

Section 52 Budget Statements are available for viewing (please note that these statements are prepared in A3 format and should be printed on A3 or viewed at 200% +) : -

2007/2008 Budget Statement ( 147kb)

2006/2007 Budget Statement ( 160 kb)

2005/2006 Statement Outturn ( 47 kb)

2005/2006 Budget Statement ( 215 kb)

Complaints

Complaints regarding any aspect of Awards and Benefits should be directed, in the first instance, in writing, to the Principal Finance Officer, Awards and Administration, Children's Services, PO Box 101, Civic Centre, Sunderland SR2 7DN.

Appeals

Appeals procedures are available for all aspects of Further and Higher Education Student Support. In the first instance, contact should be made, in writing, to the Principal Finance Officer, Awards and Administration, Children's Services, PO Box 101, Civic Centre, Sunderland SR2 7DN.

Useful internet links:

Applying for student loans, grants and bursaries
Information on the Directgov website and downloading application form

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Information on the Directgov website for young people, parents and carers who want to find out more about EMA

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