Section 5 Education and Examination Expenses, Allowances and Awards

5.1 Statutory Promotion Examinations Expenses

Guidance: Financial assistance and/or leave of absence, if approved by the Chief Officer, will be given to enable members to qualify for the statutory Leading Firefighter, Sub Officer, Station Office promotion examinations



Rate:	Assistance in respect of the LFf and SubO exams will be restricted to time off to sit the examination. In respect of StnO exam financial assistance may be given with preparation course fees, together with time off to attend the examination; additionally, subsistence may be claimed and travelling expenses may be reimbursed where no service transport is available.
Applicable to:	W/T
SAM ref
Grey book ref.
Green book ref.
Links	SO 9/3/12 & SO 9/7/2

5.2 IFE Preliminary Graduateship and Membership Examinations Expenses and Awards

Guidance: Financial assistance and/or leave of absence, if approved by the Chief Officer, will be given to enable members to qualify for The Preliminary Certificate, Graduateship and Membership examinations. Additionally, subsistence may be claimed and travelling expenses may be reimbursed where no service transport is available. In addition, a members success in gaining a professional qualification with the Institution of Fire Engineers will be recognised by the granting of a monetary award At the discretion of the Chief Officer. Current arrangements are:



Preliminary Certificate	£25
Full Graduate status	£50
Full Membership	£100

No payment is made in respect of completion of the intermediate stage.



Rate:	The examination fee, together with any approved course fee, may be reimbursed for the first attempt only. For the second attempt, reimbursement of 50% of all appropriate expenditure may be granted, subject to the approval of the Chief Officer. Normal travelling and subsistence allowances are also reimbursable.
Applicable to:	All
SAM ref	1-13
Grey book ref.
Green book ref.
Links	SO 9/3/12 & SO 9/7/2

5.3 Further And Higher Education Costs and Expenses

Guidance: HFRS will offer further and higher education opportunities to personnel to meet identified individual and Service needs Consideration will be given to applications for further and higher courses/training meeting the criteria outlined in SO 9/7/2. If the application is successful, leave and expenses may be claimed



Rate:	Reasonable travel costs actually incurred and subsistence allowances may be claimed. Non uniformed personnel must provide receipts. Uniformed personnel will be taxed on the allowance unless they produce a receipt. Non uniformed staff on approved day release courses may claim 50% of the approved subsistence allowance. This can be claimed without a receipt. Leave will be granted to attend day release courses subject to operational need and consideration will be given to evening leave requests for uniformed personnel conditioned to the shift or flexible duty systems.
Applicable to:	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref.
Green book ref.	Parts 2.3
Links	SO 9/3/12 & SO 9/7/2

5.4 Open University

Guidance: Personnel who are registered as students of the Open University may be granted leave and expenses:



Rate:	100% of the summer school fee only. Full travelling expenses incurred in attending the summer school. Paid leave of absence to attend the summer school.
Applicable to:	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref.
Green book ref.	Parts 2.3
Links	SO 9/3/12 & SO 9/7/2

5.5 Payment of Professional Fees

Guidance: Initial subscriptions and any subsequent renewal payment to approved professional bodies such as IFE can be reimbursed in full. A claim form should be submitted with a receipt or a copy of the renewed membership card.



Rate:	Only one set of subscriptions for one professional body can be claimed in any one year
Applicable to:	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref.	Sec. IX para 10
Green book ref.	Parts 2.3
Links

5.6 Repayment of Education and Examination Grants

Guidance: All members who receive financial assistance towards obtaining a qualification will be required to complete the course of study. If a member who has received a grant for course fees fails to sit the examination within a reasonable period, fails to show progress in his/her studies, or discontinues studies, the whole of the amount of the grant and travelling expenses may be recovered. Following successful completion of the course if staff leave the Service within two years then fees will be reclaimed. A sliding scale will apply dependent on the time elapsed since completion e.g. 0 months – 100%, 24 months – 0%.



Rate:
Applicable to:	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref.
Green book ref.
Links	SO 9/3/12 & SO 9/7/2