ESFA Opens Mid-Year Funding Claim Window for Further Education Institutions

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has announced that the mid-year funding claim window for further education institutions will open on Thursday 8th February 2024. Institutions are required to submit their mid-year funding claim by Tuesday 13th February 2024 through an online form available on the ESFA’s website.

This funding claim is applicable to institutions receiving funds through grant-funded contracts, including the 16 to 19 delivery section. However, for the 16 to 19 delivery section, only final funding claims need to be signed off, and no action is required for mid-year or year-end funding claims.

Once the mid-year funding claim is submitted on the ESFA’s website, institutions will be able to view the claim on the same platform. In case of any queries, institutions can use the online contact form provided to get in touch with the ESFA.

In addition to the funding claim, eligible state funded schools and colleges can now claim a grant for mental health training. This grant, amounting to £1,200, is available for the mental health lead of each institution to attend Department for Education (DfE) quality assured training. The training aims to aid these mental health leads in developing a holistic approach to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing of pupils, learners, and staff.

Furthermore, institutions who have previously claimed the grant and had their trained mental health lead leave can now apply for a second grant. The criteria for eligibility and the process to claim the grant are detailed on the ESFA’s website.

The ESFA also seeks feedback from individuals involved in submitting data about Skills Bootcamps. They are conducting user research to improve the data submission process and are inviting interested parties to register their interest for future research opportunities. Participants are not obliged to take part after registering their interest.