Urgent Capital Support
Urgent Capital Support is intended for academy trusts and Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, not in receipt of school condition allocation, and sixth-form colleges that want to apply for funding assistance to address urgent building condition issues that threaten the closure of the whole, or a significant part of the school. Applications are subject to a financial assessment, using the core financial returns shared with the Department for Education. For all academy applications, financial health is considered at academy trust level and not against the individual school. Please note that most successful applications will be funded through loan arrangements, where these are deemed affordable for the recipient.
- Opening date: (Midnight)
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
Applications can only be considered from eligible institutions where there is a genuine need for urgent support that cannot wait until the next CIF main round.
The application will need to provide evidence:
of a significant health and safety risk in relation to the building condition.
that the condition issue has already resulted in, or represents an imminent threat of school closure, or closure of a significant part of the school building(s) which would prevent the curriculum from being delivered.
that the urgent works cannot be funded by the academy trust, VA school or sixth-form college independently or through a CIF loan.
We will not consider retrospective applications, where the work is already underway or completed. We also expect the academy trust, VA school or sixth-form college to evidence whether the issue could be resolved through RPA or their insurance provider.
The urgent works must aim to improve a capital asset currently used for educational provision for pupils between the ages of 2 and 19 years. These will be assets held on freehold by the school or college concerned, held by the school on a long lease (minimum 25 years) – usually from the relevant local authority, or held by charitable site trustees for the school’s purposes.
The applicant must be responsible for capital investment in the buildings. You cannot use UCS funds to purchase land.
Condition issues that may be in scope for funding, where the above criteria are met, include:
structural issues.
urgent health and safety (H&S) or insurance compliance issues.
urgent asbestos issues.
fire protection.
leaking roofs.
boiler and pipework failure.
electrical issues.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and applicants are able to specify the detail of their urgent capital need(s) within the application.
Applications may not be considered for funding if:
the works could be addressed from revenue maintenance funding or reserves.
the works are already captured through a successful main CIF round application or other department funded capital programmes, unless the situation has deteriorated into a closure situation.
there is an operational solution that can be implemented pending an application to the main CIF round. (For example, where there is surplus capacity within the school and classes could be timetabled in different parts of the building).
the application is to cover cost overruns associated with projects previously given grant funding. Where this applies, we recommend applicants contact the grant team to discuss in the first instance.
the application does not demonstrate cost effectiveness or value for money.
the works are covered by insurance or RPA.
the works include longer-term solutions rather than the immediate problem to be solved.
subject to financial assessment, the applicant should be in a position to meet the costs. Apart from in exceptional circumstances, academy trusts, VA schools and sixth-form colleges are expected to make a contribution to the cost either directly or through loan repayments. We review returns to understand the best option for each application.
it is a retrospective application – if an application received prior to essential work having commenced, the application will be considered against the criteria. If the application is received after works have commenced, it will be deemed retrospective.
it is an expansion project – these are not eligible for urgent capital funds.
You should refer to the Urgent Capital Support guidance for full details of the criteria associated with this funding stream, i.e. Schools and colleges: apply for urgent capital support - GOV.UK.
Eligibility
Academies and sixth-form colleges that are eligible for the main round of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) funding.
Applications will only be accepted for schools that are open as academies, including free schools, or sixth-form colleges. VA schools, not part of a group receiving school condition allocation funding are also eligible.
A signed academy order or proposed conversion does not make a school eligible for Urgent Capital Support until is it fully operational as an academy.
Please note if you are an academy or college in receipt of funds or support from another capital programme (e.g. free schools, School Rebuilding Programme), please contact your Project Director in the first instance to avoid duplication of works and cost.
Objectives
Urgent Capital Support is intended to provide funding where there is a genuine need for urgent support that cannot wait until the next CIF main round. This includes, but not limited to:
a significant health and safety risk in relation to the building condition.
a condition issue that has already resulted in, or represents, an imminent threat of school closure, or closure of a significant part of the school building(s) which would prevent the curriculum from being delivered.
any urgent works that cannot be funded by the academy trust, VA school or sixth-form college independently or through a CIF loan.
Condition issues that may be in scope for funding, include:
structural issues.
urgent health and safety (H&S) or insurance compliance issues.
urgent asbestos issues.
fire protection.
leaking roofs.
boiler and pipework failure.
electrical issues.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and applicants are able to specify the detail of their urgent capital need(s) within the application.
Dates
For more information, please refer to the guidance available at Schools and colleges: apply for urgent capital support - GOV.UK
How to apply
Submitting your application: Please complete all details on the application form, as either an incomplete or inaccurate application will result in the request being declined. This will delay a decision on whether to approve your funding request as a further application containing full information will be required.Please also complete the finance template and submit this along with your application.The application must be submitted by the Responsible Body, via the Accounting Officer for the academy trust, VA school or college, rather than by a professional adviser. You should:
Submit your application and finance template by email to customer.help@service.education.gov.uk
Title your email as follows: Urgent Capital Support Application – [insert institution name]
Ensure the size of your email does not exceed 9MB, as anything larger will not be delivered. If the application is larger than 9MB, please split the documents and sent two (or more) emails, ensuring to note (for example) “email 1 of 3” in the subject line or body of the email.
Assessment of your application: Your application and all submitted supporting evidence will be assessed against the UCS criteria. This is not a competitive process; applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis on merit and awarded on a genuine urgency of need basis only.Please note that only the works listed in the original application will be considered. If a further urgent need arises, a new application should be submitted.
Decisions: Assessment duration varies and is dependent on having a full suite of all the necessary information from the applicant to allow us to assess the application at pace. Additionally, certain applications may require a site visit and ministerial approval and may take longer. Decisions are final and there is no appeals process. You will be notified via letter of the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, the letter will include details of next steps.For applications requesting multiple works, please note that we may only fund the elements of the project that pass the technical assessment in line with the UCS criteria. If your application is successful, you may be offered a loan, grant, or a combination of both depending on the financial position of the trust. If appropriate, a contribution towards the project costs may also be required.