Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families - funding allocation 2024 ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 14 March 2024
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 14 March 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Page 1 of 7 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 14 March 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families – Funding Allocation for 2024/25 ___________________________________________________________________ 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. This report provides information on the proposed allocation of funding during 2024/25 to out of school care groups in the private and voluntary sector and for early years voluntary sector organisations, playgroups and toddler groups. 1.3. Acceptance of the recommendations contained within the report will result in £83,838 being disbursed to private and voluntary sector 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. agree the proposed allocation of grant funding for out of school care and pre five voluntary sector (subject to the completion of satisfactory checks and assessments as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 attached to this report
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Page 2 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 2024/25 4.1. Renfrewshire Council continues to support voluntary sector organisations through the distribution of funding for the delivery of services for families with young children. 4.2. For the avoidance of doubt the grant award arrangements are compliant with the Council’s Conditions of Grant, payments will only be made to those recommended organisations detailed within this report when all satisfactory checks and assessments have been completed. These checks also include financial information 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 £83,838 for grants to voluntary sector organisations supporting children and families, out of school care services and pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups for 2024/25. The proposed allocation of funding to the 2 individual voluntary providers and pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups and toddler groups is agreed in accordance with previous grant allocation and available budget. The proposed grant for out of school care is based on a points system. 4.4. Appendix 2 attached to the report provides a breakdown of the proposed allocation of £23,138 to the out of school care sector. 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 group agreed 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. Appendix 3 of this report provides a breakdown of the proposed allocation of £1500 to the pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups and toddler groups. 4.7. 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 Board meetings for approval.
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Page 3 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 - Support to families and flexible childcare placements will support parents into and sustain employment, training or enter education. 4. Legal The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 empowers the Council to provide a range of grants. Payments will be in line with the Council’s Conditions of Grant. The Council’s Conditions of Grant will apply to approved voluntary sector providers, 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 4 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. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. A requirement of the Council’s Conditions of the Grant is that services comply with the Equality Act 2010. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk All grant awards issued by the Council are subject to the Council’s approved Conditions of Grant as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of this report and to compliance with appropriate risk management procedures. 11. 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. Cosla Policy Position None. 13. Climate Risk None. List of Background Papers None. ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services JC/KMcD/LG/KO 31/01/2024 Author: Julie Caldwell . Early Learning and Childcare Development Officer julie.caldwell@renfrewshire.gov.uk / Kathleen McDonagh, Education Manager kathleen.mcdonagh@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Page 5 of 7 Appendix 1 Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families 2024/25 Service Outcome Funding proposed 2024/25 Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Less isolation for families improving mental health and confidence levels. Training and development opportunities provided to volunteers and parents/carers. (Grant funding is to support Renfrewshire families) £45,200 Care Inspectorate Provider Name: Moorpark Community Association Cherrie Childrens Day-care Name of Group on Application Form: Moorpark Community Association Cherrie children’s Daycare Care Inspectorate Service Name: Cherrie Children Daycare Young children aged 0 to 3 years being supported within a safe and stimulating environment and being able to access good quality learning experiences supported by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. £14,000 Out of School Care Services (appendix 2) 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. £23,138 Pre-5 Voluntary Sector Grants (appendix 3) Support to individual pre-5 voluntary sector providers. £1500 Total £83,838
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Page 6 of 7 Appendix 2
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Page 7 of 7 Appendix 3 Distribution of funding support services for children and families - pre-five voluntary sector grants 2024/25 Organisation Purpose of Grant Recommendation Award 2024/25 Langbank Playgroup To provide quality play and learning opportunities for children. £500 Lochwinnoch Toddlers Group To provide children with a greater variety of stimulating play activities. £500 Ralston Playgroup To promote an interest in books, literacy and learning. £500 Total £1500