 We are delighted to be able to let you know about the 2024/25 round of Inclusion Capital Grants, specifically for early years settings.
This scheme is based on a previous scheme offering these grants to mainstream schools. The grants were offered by Portsmouth City Council to allow schools to enhance their physical accommodation and enable them to become even more inclusive. We recognise the scheme would also benefit early years settings and are therefore rolling it out.
Purpose
The purpose of the Inclusion Capital Grants is to enable early years settings in Portsmouth to make adaptations to support high-quality inclusive approach in their settings. Inclusion grants are for one-off capital funding to be used to enhance the physical accommodation on the early years setting's site, enabling the setting to meet the additional needs of existing and new children more effectively. Grants can be awarded of up to £5,000 per setting per annual bidding round. This is one-off funding and should provide a legacy offer at the early years setting that will benefit more than one child.
Who can apply?
Any early years setting in Portsmouth is eligible to apply for this grant funding.
Application process
Applications should be made in writing to Jo Hill: jo.hill@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by 4 November 2024. Before submitting an application, early years settings are advised to contact the Early Years Inclusion Advisory Teacher Team for a discussion regarding their application. Please email: eyinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Applications should be submitted on the application form below which provides key questions for settings to answer.
Selection process
Grant applications will be reviewed by an Inclusion Capital Grant Panel which will meet during the week of 11 November 2024. This session will be for the panel only - settings will not be invited to attend.
Applications will be considered and scored on the basis of the criteria below:
- Is the bid achievable within the funding available (or is it achievable within the grant funding plus any match-funding by the setting)?
- To what extent does this bid enhance the local offer of support in the city for early years children with SEND?
- To what extent does this bid enhance the 'ordinarily available provision' available in the setting?
- Does this bid have the support of the setting community, including any governance structures in place (governors/committees), parents/carers and the children? Has this bid been coproduced?
- Will this bid enhance the physical accommodation on the setting site and enable the setting to more effectively meet the needs of children with SEND?
- To what extent will this bid benefit more than one child?
- To what extent will this bid have a legacy impact beyond the first year?
The Panel will consider:
- Which bids it has adequate information for and is able to reach a decision.
- Which bids it requires further information about.
Those requiring further information will be invited to discuss their proposals with the panel. These meetings will take place during the week of 18 November 2024.
All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their bid by 13 December 2024.
Please note:
Not all requests will be supported.
Successful bids will be required to provide evidence of the spend against the budget outlined in the bid.
Unfortunately, we are only able to offer Inclusion Capital Grants to early years group based settings and would not, unfortunately, be able to award grants for capital projects in private homes. We would remind those offering childminding services of the grants available to help you purchase additional equipment which could also support any children you care for with SEND.
If you are a provider who offers wraparound childcare provision, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, for Primary school aged children you could be eligible to claim a £500 grant to help purchase resources such as specialist buggies to help with the school run. Please contact Vicky Taylor for further information.
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