15. Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families - funding allocation 2025-26 ECSPB 21 08 25
Renfrewshire Council · 21 August 2025
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 21 August 2025 and its agenda
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Page 2 of 7 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 21 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families – Funding Allocation for 2025/26 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. Renfrewshire Council is committed to supporting the independent sector’s contribution to early years provision in Renfrewshire, through the allocation of funding to support a range of private and voluntary sector organisations which deliver services for families with young children. 1.2. A report detailing funding allocations during 2025/26 to out of school care groups in the private and voluntary sector and for early years voluntary sector organisations, playgroups and toddler groups was submitted and approved at the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 13th March 2025. 1.3. This additional report provides information on the proposed allocation of funding during 2025/26 to 2 further Providers that have applied for funding. 1.4. Acceptance of the recommendations contained within the report will result in £2,200 being disbursed to these organisations. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to: i. Approve the resource allocation to support the delivery of services for children and young people as outlined in appendix 1 to this report; and ii. Approve the proposed allocation of grant funding for out of school care sector as detailed in the attached appendices, subject to the completion of satisfactory checks and assessments.
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Page 3 of 7 3. Background 3.1. Renfrewshire Council has been committed to developing and supporting services for families for many years. A number of private and voluntary sector organisations deliver a range of these services within Renfrewshire. 3.2. Working in partnership with providers from the private and voluntary sector, including out of school care and playgroups has enabled the Council to continue to support families with young children. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Proposals for the Allocation of Funding 2025/26 4.1. Applications for funding to support the delivery of services to families and young children are submitted via the Council’s grant process for early years funding. 4.2. These grant award arrangements are compliant with the Council’s Conditions of Grant requirements and payments will only be made to those recommended organisations detailed within this report when all satisfactory checks and assessments have been completed. These checks include financial information (bank statements and annual accounts), and latest Care Inspectorate grades for those services required to register with the Care Inspectorate. 4.3. Appendix 1 of this report provides an overview of the proposed allocation of £2,200 for grants to the private and voluntary sector organisations supporting children and families, including an out of school care service and a pre-5 voluntary sector playgroup for 2025/26. The proposed grant for out of school care is based on a points system. The proposed allocation of funding to the one pre-5 voluntary sector playgroup (appendix 3) is agreed in accordance with previous grant allocation and available budget. 4.4. Appendix 2 attached to the report provides a breakdown of the proposed allocations of £1,700 to the out of school care service. 4.5. The criteria agreed for the disbursement of the resources for out of school care services continues to ensure an equal and fair allocation of the resources. Each point awarded translates into a sum of money, with the funding allocated to each organisation approved by the Policy Board. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board at its meeting on the 15 March 2018 approved a point value of £100 per point. The proposed allocation of funding outlined in appendix 2 continues to be based on a point value of £100. 4.6. Any further applications for grants which are under £1,500 will be approved by the director of children’s services using delegated authority on the basis of the council’s existing scheme of delegation functions. Any award greater than £1,500 will be presented to future education and children services policy boards for approval.
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Page 4 of 7 Implications of this report 1. Financial Cost relating to the proposals in this report will be met from existing funding resources. 2. 3. HR and Organisational Development None. Community Plan/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Ensuring the best start in life for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is well - Early intervention will lead to healthier outcomes for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is safe - The provision of funding to local groups contributes to the development of local communities. Building strong, safe and resilient communities - The quality of community life is enhanced by supporting parents, children and young people. Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all - Effective governance arrangements ensure that the organisations receiving funding comply with legislative requirements. Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy Working together to improve outcomes. - Support to families and flexible childcare placements will support parents into and sustain employment, training or enter education. Ensuring children have a high quality ELC experience. 4. Legal The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 empowers the Council to provide a range of grants. Payments will be in accordance with the Council’s Conditions of Grant. The Council’s Conditions of Grant will apply to for the funding to the approved voluntary sector organisations, out of school care and play group and toddler groups as detailed in appendices1, 2 and 3 of the report. 5. 6. Property/Assets None. Information Technology None.
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Page 5 of 7 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. Registered services are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. 11. Risk All grant awards issued by the Council are subject to the Council’s Conditions of Grant as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of this report and to compliance with appropriate risk management procedures. Privacy Impact Personal information will only be held as required in order to deliver the service. This will be done in accordance with all data protection legislation. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities (Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)). 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers None. ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services JC/KMcD 22/07/25 Author: Julie Caldwell . Early Learning and Childcare Development Officer julie.caldwell@renfrewshire.gov.uk / Kathleen McDonagh Nolan, Education Manager kathleen.mcdonagh@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Page 6 of 8 Appendix 1 Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families 2025/26 Service Outcome Funding proposed 2025/26 Comments Out of School Care Services Support to out of school care services in the independent sector to provide high quality play experiences for children and an affordable service for parents/carers £1700 Childcare organisation detailed in Appendix 2. Application received in March 2025. Pre-5 Voluntary Sector Grants. Support to individual pre-5 voluntary sector provider. £500 Childcare organisation detailed in Appendix 3. Application received in April 2025. Total £2200
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Page 7 of 8 Appendix 2 Care Inspectorate Provider Name Name of Group on Application Form Care Inspectorate Service Name SIMD 2024 Private 0 Points Voluntary 1 point Renfrewshire Council Targeted Data Zone Area 5 Points Subsidised Places 1 Point per 8 places Equipment 1 point per 8 existing places Expansion of childcare places 2 points per 8 places for existing providers Expansion of childcare places 5 points per 8 places for New Provider Holiday cover 1 point per 8 places Use Schools or Community halls Term Time Only -1 point Year Round -2 Points Points Accrued Award Recommended Chatterbox Childcare Ltd Chatterbox Childcare Chatterbox Childcare Ltd 6 0 0 2.5 8.25 0 0 8.25 -2 17 £1,700 OUT-OF-SCHOOL CARE SUPPORT 2025/26 Provider Details Criteria Total
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Page 8 of 8 Appendix 3 Distribution of funding support services for children and families - pre-five voluntary sector grants 2025/26 Organisation Purpose of Grant Recommendation Award 2025/26 Langbank Under 3’s To provide meeting and play facilities for local parents/carers and children under 3 years of age. £500 Total £500