Application for Funding 2026-27 - Guidance Notes

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora

Guidance notes for completing the Activities Unlimited funding application for 2026-27. The notes explain required supporting documentation, including business or project plans, stakeholder feedback, and cost breakdowns using the Section 7 Expenditure Template. Eligibility checks assess alignment with local and national policy and cost models for value for money. The document clarifies decision-making via a Grants Panel, defines “Short Break,” and outlines funding purpose, grant types, pricing expectations, and review criteria including safeguarding self-assessment and operational quality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Supporting documentation and eligibility checks

Decision-making and definitions

Who makes the decisions?

What is a “Short Break”?

Funding purpose and grant types

Investment Grant vs Innovation Grant

Pricing and income expectations

How applications are assessed

Cost comparison

Quality assurance

Operational details

Service strategy

Application for Funding 2026-27 – Guidance Notes Overview Please complete the application form in full and as accurately as possible. The inclusion of additional supporting documentation, such as a business or project plan, stakeholder feedback or inspection reports are required to support your application. A full breakdown of costs will be required to accompany this application (Section 7: Expenditure Template) . You may be contacted to supply additional information following completion of the application form. Information supplied on this form will be used to check your application’s eligibility for funding against local and national policy and existing cost models to achieve value for money. Information supplied will not be used for any other purpose and will not be shared with any third party. Details of our eligibility criteria are shown in these guidance notes. Here are some frequently asked questions which will assist you in deciding on whether to apply, and how to complete this application. Why these services are needed. Local Authorities have a duty to provide Short Breaks. The following document explains the responsibilities that Suffolk County Council has in relation to the Children’s Act 2011. 􀒧 A copy of Suffolk’s Short Break Duty Statement is available on this link [https://www.suffolklocaloffer.org.uk/asset-library/scc-short-break-duty-services](https://www.suffolklocaloffer.org.uk/asset-library/scc-short-break-duty-services)statement.pdf Who makes the decisions? A Grants Panel undertakes decision on the allocation of funding. The Panel consists of key AU stakeholders (for instance; parent/carer reps, Early Years Team, Sensory Team, Adult Community Services) . The AU staff members attend the panel to present applications and provide additional information as required. AU team members do not vote as part of the decision-making process. What is a ‘Short Break’? A Short Break can be anything from a couple of hours taking part in an activity or club toa few days away from home. It can be something that the child or young person does alone, with their parent or carer, or with the rest of their family. It can be anything you can think of – from a sports or arts activity to a residential adventure weekend. 􀒧 The best way to check your ideas is to have a look at the website: Activities Unlimited-Suffolk SEND Local Offer ([suffolklocaloffer.org.uk](suffolklocaloffer.org.uk)) . We want to ensure that we have a diverse range of activities throughout the county. If you would like to check whether your application may constitute a Short Break activity, you can contact a member of the Activities Unlimited Team on 01473 260026 or at [AUprovision@suffolk.gov.uk](AUprovision@suffolk.gov.uk). What is the purpose of the funding? Ideally, grants will be made that will contribute to the provision of regular and sustainable short breaks or to provide training and skills development to a service’s workforce. This is known as an Investment Grant. It is not intended to purchase a service in its entirety, unless there is a clear strategic aim that ensures the long-term financial sustainability of the project. This may be considered an ‘Innovation Grant’, although purchasing a service would typically fall under procurement and be subject to relevant procurement regulations. Therefore, applications should generally seek a contribution to costs rather than full funding. We would expect applications to make provision for workforce development relevant to the Short Break service they are providing. Applications for services such as play schemes and holiday clubs should consider their costs for the provision of externally sourced activities. We would also expect providers of services to undertake their own marketing exercises in conjunction with Activities Unlimited and other Suffolk County Council departments. Pricing and Income We would expect there to be a realistic charge made to customers to access

FAQs

What supporting documents are required with the 2026-27 funding application?

The application should include additional supporting documentation such as a business or project plan, stakeholder feedback, and inspection reports. Applicants are also required to provide a full breakdown of costs using the Section 7 Expenditure Template.

Who decides on the allocation of funding and how are applications presented?

A Grants Panel undertakes decision-making on funding allocation. AU staff attend to present applications and provide extra information as required, while AU team members do not vote as part of the decision process.

What is the purpose of the funding and what grant types may apply?

Funding is intended to contribute to regular, sustainable short breaks or to provide workforce training and skills development, known as an Investment Grant. It is generally not intended to purchase a service in its entirety unless there is a clear strategic aim, which may be considered an Innovation Grant subject to procurement regulations.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora