Assistance & Referrals

MCR provides charitable assistance to people experiencing genuine hardship, poverty, distress, disadvantage, crisis or vulnerability.

Assistance is based on need rather than personal relationships.

Referral pathways

Requests may be received from:

• individuals;

• parents or carers;

• participating schools;

• principals or authorised school representatives;

• community organisations;

• government agencies;

• health professionals;

• emergency services;

• approved partner organisations; or

• other appropriate referral sources.

School support

MCR may work with participating schools to identify and respond to genuine student needs.

Schools may submit referrals through MCR’s approved School Referral process.

Support may include approved educational and participation needs such as:

• school essentials;

• uniforms;

• shoes;

• meals or food support;

• educational materials;

• excursions;

• approved school activities; and

• other needs consistent with MCR’s charitable purposes.

Where appropriate, MCR may consult with the school principal, administration or other authorised school representative.

Schools may be required to provide invoices, receipts or other reasonable evidence relating to approved expenditure.

Community support

Community assistance may include:

• food parcels;

• groceries;

• meals;

• clothing;

• essential personal items;

• hygiene products;

• baby supplies;

• essential household items;

• emergency transport;

• payment of an approved essential expense directly to a provider;

• school and educational essentials;

• referrals;

• advocacy;

• practical family assistance; and

• other approved community-support activities.

Assessment

MCR may consider:

• the nature and urgency of the hardship;

• safety concerns;

• children or dependants involved;

• the assistance requested;

• available evidence;

• other assistance available;

• likely benefit;

• available funding;

• donated goods;

• funding restrictions;

• safeguarding risks;

• previous assistance where relevant; and

• conflicts of interest.

We will not request more information than reasonably necessary.

No automatic entitlement

A referral, application, website submission, meeting or previous assistance does not guarantee approval.

Assistance is subject to:

• eligibility;

• assessment;

• available funding;

• available resources;

• funding conditions;

• program requirements;

• safeguarding considerations; and

• MCR approval.

Where possible, financial assistance will ordinarily be provided through controlled methods such as direct supplier payment, purchase of approved goods or approved vouchers rather than unrestricted cash.